Functional electrical stimulation equipment: A review of marketplace availability and reimbursement

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitation tool that has b road application in disability management for improving consumer health and independence, This review examines the availability and delivery of electr ical stimulation equipment in a managed care environment, focusing particul arly on recent advances and marketplace influences, New electrical stimulat ion products that are unique in their ability to improve function after dis ease or injury over conventional drug therapy, surgical intervention, or ot her rehabilitation techniques are described. Research directions, including new uses for existing products to expand patient indications, are discusse d. Guidelines to assist providers and developers of FES technology with man aging the reimbursement process are provided, The successful introduction o f recent FES products should pave the way for even more exciting developmen ts. However, reimbursement requires careful and early planning to ensure th at FES technologies are available to people who may benefit from them.