PMB Conditions and Physiotherapy Benefits

Physiotherapy for PMB conditions

There are many conditions that are listed as a prescribed minimum benefit, with possibility of having physiotherapy benefits funded by your medical aid if there is a determined need for it, assessed by the physiotherapist.

A referral from your doctor is needed in some cases, which may assist the application in being successful. We are first-line practitioners, which means you do not need a referral to see us, but some medical aids require a referral as part of their funding process.

Examples of PMB conditions:

Relating to infants / prematurity:

Preterm low birth weight (<1000g - 2500g) with respiratory difficulties (premature baby)
Birth trauma
Non-traumatic IVH
Neurological abnormalities in newborn e.g. leukomalacia, periventricular cysts
Hypoxic ischaemic encepalopathy (HIE)
Kernicterus
Abnormalities in muscle tone

Neurological and Neuro-Muscular Conditions

Cerebral palsy [added as PMB condition in 2022]
Guillain Barre
Stroke, and sequelae, including congenital and moyamoya
Intra-cranial / intra-ventricular haemorrhage
Dystonia
Sequelae of skull fractures / intracranial injuries / traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injury and compression, vertebral fractures
Congenital malformations
Meningitis
Multiple Sclerosis
Demyelinating diseases of the CNS
Myasthenia Gravis, including congenital type
Muscular Dystrophy
Myopathies, including congenital
Nerve injuries, e.g. Erb's Palsy (Brachial Plexus injury resulting from birth trauma)
HIV encepalopathy
Sequelae of TB in the brain, spinal cord, bones or joints

Congenital abnormalities/malformations:

Following repair or reconstruction [condition specific, e.g. congenital dislocation of hip]
Talipes calcaneovalgus / calcaneovarus / equinovarus (club foot)
Metabolic disorders with sequelae [condition specific]
Malformations of the brain or spinal cord e.g. spina bifida

Cardiac

Post-discharge from cardiac surgery for rehab [condition specific], e.g. Tetralogy of Fallot repair
Congenital malformations

Following injury or surgery:

Major surgery, e.g. laparotomy, thoracotomy
Traumatic events such as fractures requiring open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)
Amputation
Burns >10% of body surface

Haemophilia

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

MY BABY IS PRETERM or HAS A PMB CONDITION

It's really important to know that your preterm baby or term-born baby with complications should qualify for physiotherapy benefits funded from PMB, if they meet the criteria, providing them access to early a customised assessment and early intervention programme.

Your doctor may not be aware that this is a possibility and may not know to refer you. This is a critical window of opportunity for brain development!

If your baby was born overseas, they would have already received physiotherapy in the NICU and then be automatically enrolled into a programme for early input and developmental monitoring after discharge.

Research shows how the first few months of life (have you heard of the first 1000 days?) are key in minimising motor and cognitive complications of prematurity.

We need to apply for this benefit soon after discharge from the NICU.

The best time to start is ALWAYS earlier, to help them grow their brains.

Do not wait and see.

Every opportunity matters.

Rather, be proactive.

Book Now

PMB Conditions and Physiotherapy Benefits

Physiotherapy for PMB conditions

MY BABY IS PRETERM or HAS A PMB CONDITION

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