ReWalk Robotics Ltd. announced the Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a national policy for the evaluation, training and procurement of ReWalk personal exoskeleton systems for qualifying veterans with spinal cord injury.
“The policy outlines a sound process to educate, train and importantly, to provide individual veterans with a ReWalk Personal device so that they may walk at home and in the community. We expect this landmark national policy will substantially improve the health and quality of life of many veterans in the years ahead,” Larry Jasinski, ReWalk chief executive officer, said in a company press release.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy allows veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) to receive referral and evaluation at all designated ReWalk Training Centers across the United States. Veterans who meet the physical criteria for an exoskeleton system will be referred for training on the use of the device. Those who successfully complete training will be eligible to obtain a ReWalk personal system.
According to the new policy, veterans with SCI may be evaluated for use of the system at one of 24 VA Health Administration SCI Centers nationwide. All SCI Centers are encouraged to pursue designation as a ReWalk Training Center.
“We are also pleased that the VA’s fundamental clinical research conclusively demonstrated that there are significant medical benefits associated with enabling an individual with a spinal cord injury to walk again,” Jasinski said. “Based on their data, the VA’s national policy now defines use of an exoskeleton as the standard of care for qualifying veterans with spinal cord injury. We are hopeful the VA policy will pave the way for additional positive national coverage decisions.”
According to the release, ReWalk has the only FDA-cleared exoskeleton system in the United States and has clearances for use in homes, communities and the rehabilitation setting.
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