leisure time -WSS

leisure time

author：knowledge 2025-10-01 22:49:44 - browse：3

A pile of Zynex Medical batteries and electrode pads are seen at Michelle Bean's home — A pile of Zynex Medical batteries and electrode pads Kayana Szymczak for STAT

Sending patients heaps of medical supplies to score more money from insurers is common in the device industry. If insurers decline to cover the supplies, patients are stuck paying for materials they didn’t need.

STAT examined one of the companies perpetuating this practice, a pain management device company called Zynex Medical, and the frustration among both its patients and former employees. Here are five takeaways.

The ‘razor blade’ business model

Zynex sells nerve and muscle stimulation machines, known as TENS and EMS units, to treat pain and soothe muscles. But the company makes most of its money from monthly shipments of batteries and electrodes — almost 70% of its $184 million revenue in 2023 came from these supplies.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： Continuity nursing helped my family in our darkest PICU moments
Next article： Colonoscopy at 40? Study finds a possible benefit

focus

WSS

When prostate cancer spreads, where it goes matters

With FDA staff opposed to Sarepta therapy, top official intervened

FDA grants conditional OK to Sarepta’s gene therapy for Duchenne

Second House panel advances two

Gene therapy has helped boys walk. Can scientists keep it that way?

Why we need to separate burnout from moral injury in health care

explore

leisure time

The ‘razor blade’ business model

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+.

focus

Affirmative action in medical school literally saved lives

Glen Campbell's doctor discusses his public struggle with Alzheimer's

Peter Hotez and the public health issue of online harassment

Donald Trump's relentless attacks on special counsel Jack Smith

As demand for Covid shots wanes, Moderna seeks its next success

Anxious about a speech? A startup wants you to pop a minty cardiac drug

Activists slam private health insurers over coverage restrictions

Colonoscopy at 40? Study finds a possible benefit

Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action

Do masks work? RCTs can't tell us

Wikipedia

Colonoscopy at 40? Study finds a possible benefit

Analysis of pharma R&D ranks Novo Nordisk, J&J above their peers

Bird flu: Don't repeat Covid's 'health versus the economy' framing

Can we make enough H5N1 bird flu vaccine if there's a pandemic?

Helping hospitals and community health centers plan for resilience

Can we make enough H5N1 bird flu vaccine if there's a pandemic?

hotspot

focus

Wikipedia

explore