UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Issues Prior Authorization Approval for a ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton

Rhea-AI Summary

Lifeward (Nasdaq: LFWD) announced on Nov 17, 2025 that a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan issued a prior authorization for a ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton. The approval follows CMS's 2024 reimbursement pathway for personal exoskeletons and is presented as a step toward broader payer adoption in the U.S.

The company said the UnitedHealthcare prior authorization may improve predictability in reimbursement, accelerate prior authorizations, and support scalable growth and cash flow dynamics for beneficiaries using ReWalk 7.

Positive

• UnitedHealthcare prior authorization granted on Nov 17, 2025
• CMS reimbursement pathway established in 2024 supports coverage
• Company reports acceleration in prior authorizations for ReWalk 7

Negative

• None.

Insights

Reimbursement & Market Access Specialist

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage prior authorization for the ReWalk 7 meaningfully advances payer access and reimbursement predictability.

UnitedHealthcare’s prior authorization approval for a ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton provides a concrete payer acceptance signal for Lifeward’s device. The company already notes a 2024 CMS reimbursement pathway and ongoing claim submissions to both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, and this UHC approval is the first confirmed prior authorization from that insurer.

Dependencies and risks remain: broader commercial adoption requires repeated approvals across more plans and confirmed paid claims rather than authorizations alone. Management cites improved predictability and cash flow dynamics, which depend on sustained payer uptake and successful claim adjudication.

Watch for three near-term, monitorable items over the next several quarters: the volume of additional prior authorizations and paid claims from major Medicare Advantage plans, any formal payer policy language referencing the CMS pathway, and reported changes in cash collection timing tied to reimbursement. These metrics will indicate whether the approval translates into durable revenue recognition and scalable U.S. market access.

Approval marks continued progress in expanding reimbursement pathways and accelerating access to advanced personal exoskeleton technology for individuals with spinal cord injury.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. and YOKNEAM ILLIT, Israel, Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeward Ltd., (Nasdaq: LFWD) (“Lifeward” or the “Company”), a global leader in innovative medical technology to transform the lives of people with physical limitations or disabilities, announced today that it received its first prior authorization from a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan for a ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton.

UnitedHealthcare is fully committed to supporting its members by providing access to advanced assistive technology, as evidenced by its recent prior authorization approval for the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton. This decision reflects a proactive approach to ensuring individuals with spinal cord injury receive cutting-edge solutions that enhance mobility, independence, and quality of life.

By approving coverage for the ReWalk 7 under their Medicare Advantage Plan, UnitedHealthcare demonstrates leadership in embracing innovative medical devices and expanding reimbursement pathways for beneficiaries. The approval exemplifies its dedication to meeting the needs of members with disabilities and their families, ensuring reliable, predictable access to personal exoskeletons as part of a comprehensive care strategy.

“This prior authorization approval from a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan signals a significant advancement in payer adoption of the ReWalk Exoskeleton,” said Mark Grant, CEO of Lifeward. “As coverage expands and prior authorizations accelerate, we’re seeing greater predictability in reimbursement, improved cash flow dynamics, and a clearer pathway toward scalable, sustainable growth in the U.S. market.”

In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a 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 and is seeing an acceleration in prior authorizations as payer adoption expands.

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; 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 Nov 17, 2025 about ReWalk 7 coverage?

Lifeward announced a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan issued a prior authorization for the ReWalk 7 on Nov 17, 2025.

Does Medicare cover the ReWalk 7 personal exoskeleton for LFWD patients?

CMS implemented a reimbursement pathway in 2024, and Lifeward reports ongoing claims submissions to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

How might the UnitedHealthcare prior authorization affect LFWD's U.S. sales?

The company said the approval may increase reimbursement predictability and help accelerate prior authorizations, which could support scalable growth.

Is the UnitedHealthcare approval a national policy change for LFWD devices?

No; the announcement reports a prior authorization from a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, not a national coverage mandate.

What evidence did Lifeward cite that payer adoption is expanding for ReWalk 7?

Lifeward cited accelerating prior authorizations and continued claims submissions to traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans since CMS's 2024 pathway.

What should LFWD investors watch after the Nov 17, 2025 announcement?

Investors should monitor additional payer prior authorizations, claim acceptance rates, and reported impacts on reimbursement timing and cash flow.