Ivan Vargas, a 70-year-old from Richmond, VA, is walking again with the help of his own robotic exoskeleton four years after being paralyzed from a T10 spinal cord injury.
The device’s cost of nearly $100,000 initially put it out of reach for Vargas. However, a January 2024 policy update by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reclassified certain exoskeleton-type devices as braces, making them eligible for Medicare coverage when medically necessary. Medicare now covers about 80% of the cost, with the patient responsible for the remainder, either paying out of pocket or through secondary insurance.
In August, Vargas began learning to use his exoskeleton with help from physical therapists at Sheltering Arms Institute and his wife, who will be his designated spotter at home. It required 50 hours of training to master standing, sitting, and walking with the device.
Robotic exoskeletons, originally designed to assist combat troops, enhance overall health and quality of life for people with paraplegia. The ability to stand and walk improves circulation and cardiac health and helps with bowel and bladder function. While exoskeletons aren’t yet meant to replace wheelchairs, experts predict the technology will evolve to the point where they can.
For Vargas, the exoskeleton has been life-changing, allowing him to participate in family activities like watching his grandchildren play sports. “It will be a freedom for me to be able to walk,” Vargas said.
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