Thanks to a revision of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy, injured veterans now have expanded access to exoskeleton systems from Marlborough medical device maker ReWalk Robotics.
The revision to the department’s standard operating policy last month included guidance on the evaluation process and expanded access to training programs among the VA’s network and private rehabilitation centers.
The updated evaluation process has veterans flowing through one of 24 designated spinal cord injury VA centers. Once a veteran is qualified for training and procurement of an exoskeleton system, they can begin training at either a spinal cord injury center, a qualified VA hospital or through a private rehabilitation center though a VA program.
In a statement, ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski said the revised policy expands access to a ReWalk exoskeleton system to veterans previously without a designated spinal cord injury center in their area.
As a result of the new policy, there are now 142 centers in the U.S. where ReWalk can provide exoskeleton systems to veterans.
The company has been working with the VA since 2015 and has advocated since then for use of the Veterans Choice Program for veterans not close to a designated center.
“We are pleased to see the VA build upon the [standard operating policy], taking into account the department’s own extensive research and its ongoing national trial,” Jasinski said.
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