The Cost of an At-Home FES Cycling Therapy Program

You’ve heard about the benefits of an FES bike—perhaps you’ve even experienced them at a clinic—and now, you want to have one at home. At MYOLYN, we are dedicated to making FES technology accessible to those who need it, but we know a major factor influencing the decision to obtain a home FES cycling therapy system is the ultimate cost to you. This guide to FES bike cost will help address the most common concerns and questions, so you know what to expect during this process. 

Is an FES Bike Worth the Cost?

Whether you have a neurodegenerative condition or an injury that causes limited mobility, an at-home FES bike is a great investment for continuing your rehabilitation and improving your health and overall quality of life. By having an FES bike at home, you’re able to obtain the therapy you need, when you need it from the comfort and convenience of your own home—allowing you to get closer to your rehabilitation goals. The MyoCycle is the most user-friendly FES cycle available, allowing you to receive quality, therapeutic exercise—even on your own! 

FES cycling has a myriad of benefits for people with paralysis, muscle weakness, or spasticity in their lower limbs. The MyoCycle has the following proven, FDA-cleared benefits: 

• Re-education of the muscles
• Prevention of atrophy 
• Maintaining or even increasing range of motion
• Increased blood circulation 
• Reduced muscle spasms and spasticity 

How Much Does an FES Bike Cost? 

FES cycling therapy systems can vary from less than $10,000 on the low end to over $30,000 for full-featured, clinical systems designed for a rehab center environment. While this can be a daunting amount, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) found the cost of a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be as high as $1,315,554 in the first year with an average cost of $100,000 each subsequent year. 

A portion of these costs include health care costs such as physical therapy and rehabilitation. By investing in an FES cycling device, you can help mitigate these costs by receiving therapeutic exercise at home. Furthermore, about 30% of people with SCI are re-hospitalized one or more times during any given year following injury. These rehospitalizations are primarily from things like pressure sores and urinary tract infections, which are extremely costly, unpleasant, and disruptive. A home FES cycling therapy program can help prevent rehospitalizations—reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life.  

Ultimately, the specific costs will depend on several factors, including which model and features you need for your specific situation, how the system is being funded, and what types of additional funding sources are available. The representatives at MYOLYN are more than happy to discuss the different options and models available to you and your unique situation!

What Are the Available Funding Options? 

You don’t have to face these costs alone. At MYOLYN, we want everyone who could benefit from an FES bike to have one. To achieve this goal, not only is the MyoCycle the most affordable FES cycling therapy system on the market, but we also offer several different options to help lower your out-of-pocket cost. 

Many states have grant programs for specific groups. For example, several states have a brain and spinal cord injury trust fund to help their residents with brain and spinal injuries obtain the medical care they need such as an FES bike. Some states even have a fund for victims of crime that buys equipment with tax-payer dollars for residents who were injured by violent crime.

Many states also offer government-funded assistive technology loan programs that provide very low-interest loans for assistive technology purchases such as FES cycling systems. Our team works with these programs to help clients fund the MyoCycle in a way that works for their budget. 

Our team also encourages fundraising efforts to cover your expenses if the need arises. Some fundraising platforms we recommend include Help Hope Live Catastrophic Injury Campaigns, YouCaring Compassionate Crowdfunding, and GoFundMe Medical Fundraising. 

Does Insurance Cover FES?

The answer to this question is: yes, insurance can cover FES bikes — however, it is always determined on a case-by-case basis. Whether an insurance company will cover an FES bike depends on several different factors. These can include the type of insurance you have, your benefits, your plan, and your medical history. MYOLYN has dedicated staff that works with you to obtain all the necessary documentation and submit it to your insurance plan on your behalf. The process of getting reimbursed for the out-of-pocket cost or getting pre-approved coverage can take up to a year to complete. 

If you have VA benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs can cover the entire cost of an FES cycling system for you. Similarly, worker’s compensation benefits typically cover the entire cost of the system—our own team has had a 99% success rate with Worker’s Compensation Insurance. 

When you choose to go with MYOLYN, we’ll handle all claim filing and insurance communications for you. We cannot guarantee coverage, but we will fight on your behalf. For one example of our success with insurance, Logan was in need of an FES bike at home to remain active and healthy after a spinal cord injury. His mom reached out to our sales team to discuss their options, and MYOLYN was able to get Logan’s system fully covered by insurance! 

RT300 FES Bike Cost vs MYOLYN FES Bike Cost

The RT300 and the MyoCycle are the top two FES bikes available for at-home use. If you’re trying to decide which is better for you, cost is an important factor to consider. The MyoCycle, regardless of what model you choose, is going to be the most affordable option. There are a few reasons for this price difference: 

• The MyoCycle was designed from the ground up, by MYOLYN, to be affordable without sacrificing quality. MYOLYN manufactures both the ergometer (the cycle) and the FES stimulator to minimize cost while maximizing quality. 
• The RT300 is complex to operate and requires a team of professionals to set up, which is included in the purchase price. The MyoCycle, on the other hand, can be set up by anyone without any training or experience—significantly reducing the cost. If you do want assistance with getting set up and learning to use your MyoCycle, that is an additional service MYOLYN offers.

The MyoCycle also comes with ongoing clinical and technical support for every system. Our dedicated clinical support team is there to help you optimize your program for your specific therapy goals and help you achieve them. After receiving your MyoCycle, you’ll receive a video or phone meeting invite from our licensed physical therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy for a check-in appointment. They will review your workout data with you and provide expert guidance to help you achieve your rehab goals. This support remains available for the lifetime of your device. Based on these factors, if you’re looking for an effective yet affordable FES bike with continued support, the MyoCycle is the best option. 

The MyoCycle: The Most Affordable, FDA-Cleared FES Cycling Therapy System 

The MyoCycle is the most affordable FES bike on the market. With several options for funding, the MyoCycle can help improve your quality of life without stretching your budget thin. At MYOLYN, we believe money should not get in the way of furthering your rehabilitation goals and being able to exercise, but we know not everyone can afford the out-of-pocket cost. That’s why our team is here to help you find the best funding option for you. If you’re interested in learning more about the MyoCycle Home’s cost or want to discuss what plan works best for you and your budget, reach out to us today!