Lifeward Broadens Reimbursement Coverage for ReWalk 7 Personal Robotic Exoskeleton as Humana Medicare Advantage Plan Issues Prior Authorization Approval
Rhea-AI Summary
Lifeward (Nasdaq: LFWD) announced that a Humana Medicare Advantage plan granted prior authorization for the ReWalk 7 personal exoskeleton on Dec 3, 2025, following a prior UnitedHealthcare approval in November.
Combined, Humana and UnitedHealthcare represent 47% of Medicare Advantage enrollees, increasing timely access for beneficiaries with spinal cord injury. The company said broader payer adoption and CMS's 2024 reimbursement pathway are improving reimbursement predictability and supporting stronger revenue and cash flow dynamics for U.S. scaling.
Positive
- Prior authorization received from Humana Medicare Advantage on Dec 3, 2025
- Two national Medicare Advantage plans (Humana, UnitedHealthcare) now cover ReWalk 7
- 47% of Medicare Advantage enrollees represented by the two payers
- Cited improvement in reimbursement predictability and cash flow dynamics
- References CMS's 2024 formal reimbursement pathway for personal exoskeletons
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, LFWD gained 25.45%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +34.5% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 24 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $3M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $14M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 14.7x the daily average, suggesting very strong buying interest.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peer moves were mixed, with RSLS up 29.8% while others like PAVM were roughly flat to slightly down. No broad, aligned move across orthopedic and medical device peers, pointing to this being company-specific rather than sector-driven.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 03 | Reimbursement expansion | Positive | +25.4% | Humana Medicare Advantage prior authorization broadens ReWalk 7 coverage. |
| Nov 17 | Reimbursement update | Positive | -0.5% | UnitedHealthcare prior authorization for ReWalk 7 under Medicare Advantage. |
| Nov 14 | Earnings results | Positive | +14.9% | Q3 2025 results with higher revenue and lower cash burn, guidance reaffirmed. |
| Nov 10 | Earnings date announcement | Neutral | +4.1% | Announcement of Q3 2025 earnings release and conference call timing. |
| Sep 09 | Reimbursement milestone | Positive | +3.9% | First commercial Medicare Advantage payment and faster claims for ReWalk 7. |
Recent news and earnings have more often aligned with positive price reactions, though one prior payer-coverage headline saw a slight negative move.
Over the last six months, Lifeward reported steady operational progress and multiple reimbursement milestones. Q3 2025 results on Nov 14 showed $6.2M revenue, reduced cash burn, and reaffirmed $24–$26M 2025 revenue guidance, which coincided with a 14.87% gain. Since CMS created a reimbursement pathway in 2024, Lifeward has highlighted accelerating prior authorizations and faster claims. Earlier Medicare Advantage wins, including the first commercial payment and a UnitedHealthcare prior authorization, also produced generally positive share reactions, supporting today’s reimbursement expansion narrative.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +25.4% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’s pattern of gains on reimbursement and earnings milestones, such as prior moves of 14.87% and 3.86% after earlier updates. Expanded Medicare Advantage coverage now reaches plans representing 47% of enrollees, reinforcing the growth story. However, investors have also faced reverse-split proposals and convertible debt in recent filings, which could temper enthusiasm if financing concerns re-emerge.
Key Terms
medicare advantage regulatory
prior authorization regulatory
reimbursement coverage regulatory
centers for medicare & medicaid services (cms) regulatory
personal exoskeletons medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Humana and UnitedHealthcare, which granted authorization in November, are the two largest Medicare Advantage providers in the U.S., accounting for
This latest approval will help enhance timely access to cutting-edge personal exoskeleton solutions for individuals with spinal cord injury
Reimbursement coverage is expected to give Lifeward stronger revenue and cash flow dynamics to scale growth
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, Dec. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeward Ltd., (Nasdaq: LFWD) (“Lifeward” or the “Company”), a global leader in innovative medical technology designed to transform the lives of people with physical limitations or disabilities, announced today that it received prior authorization from Humana Medicare Advantage Plan for a ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton. This marks the second national Medicare Advantage Plan, following UnitedHealthcare a few weeks ago, to make the important decision to support members living with spinal cord injury by facilitating access to this life-changing technology.
By approving coverage for the ReWalk 7 under its Medicare Advantage Plan, Humana continues to show leadership in embracing innovative medical technologies and widening reimbursement pathways for beneficiaries. The approval reflects Humana’s dedication to meeting the needs of members with disabilities and their families, providing more reliable and predictable access to personal exoskeletons as part of a comprehensive care strategy.
“Nationally nearly half of all Medicare Advantage enrollees are now eligible for prior authorization and reimbursement for ReWalk 7,” said Mark Grant, CEO of Lifeward. “This prior authorization approval from a Humana Medicare Advantage Plan represents another significant milestone in payer adoption of the ReWalk Exoskeleton. As coverage broadens and prior authorizations accelerate, we are seeing stronger predictability in reimbursement, healthier cash flow dynamics, and a clearer foundation for scalable, sustainable growth in the U.S. market.”
In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a formal reimbursement pathway for personal exoskeletons. Since then, Lifeward has continued to submit claims on behalf of beneficiaries enrolled in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. As payer adoption expands, the Company is experiencing an accelerating pace of prior authorization approvals, an encouraging signal of growing recognition of the clinical and functional value of personal exoskeleton technology.
About Lifeward
Lifeward designs, develops, and commercializes life-changing solutions spanning the continuum of care in physical rehabilitation and recovery, delivering proven functional and health benefits in clinical settings, as well as in the home and community. Our mission at Lifeward is to relentlessly drive innovation to change the lives of individuals with physical limitations or disabilities. We are committed to delivering groundbreaking solutions that empower individuals to do what they love. The Lifeward portfolio features innovative products, including the ReWalk Exoskeleton, AlterG Anti-Gravity System, ReStore Exo-Suit, and MyoCycle FES System. Founded in 2001, Lifeward has operations in the United States, Israel, and Germany.
Lifeward®, ReWalk®, ReStore®, and Alter G® are registered trademarks of Lifeward Ltd. and/or its affiliates.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements may include projections regarding the Company's future performance and other statements that are not statements of historical fact and, in some cases, may be identified by words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future," "will," "should," "would," "seek" and similar terms or phrases. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's current expectations, which are subject to uncertainty, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements include, among others: the acceptance of the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton by healthcare professionals and patients; the impact of reimbursements on Lifeward’s revenue and cash flow; uncertainties associated with future clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process and FDA regulatory submission review and approval process; the Company's ability to have sufficient funds to meet certain future capital requirements, which could impair the Company's efforts to develop and commercialize existing and new products; the Company's ability to maintain and grow its reputation and the market acceptance of its products; the Company's ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payors, including CMS, for its products; the Company's limited operating history and its ability to leverage its sales, marketing and training infrastructure; the Company's expectations as to its clinical research program and clinical results; the Company's expectations regarding future growth, including its ability to increase sales in its existing geographic markets and expand to new markets; the Company's ability to obtain certain components of its products from third-party suppliers and its continued access to its product manufacturers; the Company’s ability to navigate any difficulties associated with moving production of its AlterG Anti-Gravity Systems to a contract manufacturer and transitioning the manufacturing of its ReWalk products to its in-house manufacturer; the Company's ability to improve its products and develop new products; the Company's compliance with medical device reporting regulations to report adverse events involving the Company's products, which could result in voluntary corrective actions or enforcement actions such as mandatory recalls, and the potential impact of such adverse events on the Company's ability to market and sell its products; the Company's ability to gain and maintain regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property and to avoid violation of the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of a cybersecurity attack or breach of the Company's IT systems significantly disrupting its business operations; the Company's ability to use effectively the proceeds of its offerings of securities; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from the statements contained herein may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Lifeward Media Relations:
Almog Adar
Chief Financial Officer
E: media@golifeward.com
Lifeward Investor Contact:
Almog Adar
Chief Financial Officer
Lifeward
E: ir@golifeward.com
FAQ
What did Lifeward (LFWD) announce on Dec 3, 2025 about ReWalk 7 coverage?
How many Medicare Advantage enrollees are impacted by Humana and UnitedHealthcare covering ReWalk 7?
Does Lifeward cite a federal reimbursement pathway for personal exoskeletons?
How does the Humana prior authorization affect Lifeward's U.S. growth outlook?
Which other major Medicare Advantage payer recently approved ReWalk 7 before Humana?
