Marlborough Co. That Makes Robotic Exoskeletons Redoubling Efforts With Insurance Reimbursements

MARLBOROUGH, MA — ReWalk Robotics Ltd., a leading exoskeleton manufacturer with one of its headquarters in Marlborough, recently announced the company’s 2017 outlook, identifying new goals in research and development, as well as a focus on insurance reimbursement policies in the public and private sectors.

“In the years since ReWalk received its FDA clearances for spinal cord injured individuals, we have seen the market evolve, albeit slowly,” said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski in a press release. “Taking an industry-wide assessment, and accounting for our current R&D endeavors, we have decided to reset our goals and adjust our time and investments on two core categories: pursuit of national insurance reimbursement policies for all eligible spinal cord injury (SCI) exoskeleton users and device development for stroke victims.”

ReWalk plans this year to redouble its efforts in the area of reimbursements with insurance providers, an initiative that stems from last year's announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs to procure exoskeleton systems for eligible SCI end-users, said the announcement.

“We are hopeful the incoming administration will adhere to its promises of addressing systemic challenges in the VA, and set an example for the private sector to facilitate better health care benefit policies to provide access to all individuals who need a critical medical device,” Jasinski said in the release.

In 2016, ReWalk announced a partnership with the Wyss Institute at Harvard University to develop next generation soft-suit exoskeletons for additional patient populations, which included stroke patients. The company plans to commercialize these in the coming year, targeting people who have suffered a stroke.

Included in the company outlook, ReWalk has set a goal to reduce total operating expenses in 2017 by up to 30 percent, compared to 2016.

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