The Process
What to Expect
Complete our Getting Started Survey
Complete our simple survey to see if Vivistim might be right for you. A Vivistim rep will review your survey submission.
Is Vivistim Right for You?Connect with a Vivistim Rep
If you meet the survey criteria, you will be contacted by one of our representatives who will guide you through the evaluation process.
Eligibility & Candidacy Evaluation
To determine if you are eligible for Vivistim Therapy, a rehabilitation professional will evaluate your current hand and arm function. You will then be referred for a consultation with a surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for the implantation procedure.
Insurance Coverage and Cost
Vivistim is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.
Patient out-of-pocket costs for the Vivistim placement procedure and associated therapy vary depending on a patient's medical insurance plan, type of coverage and provider charges. The procedure may also require prior authorization. The Vivistim Pre‐Service Clearance Program can assist the patient and their provider’s office to secure prior authorization or pre-certification.
Simple, outpatient procedure
In a short, same-day outpatient procedure, a surgeon makes a small incision in the neck, to place the lead, and another small incision in the chest, to place the Vivistim implant. Within a few weeks, your doctor will likely clear you for rehab therapy.
Vivistim Implant Components
Participate in Consistent Vivistim Therapy
In-Clinic Therapy
In-clinic rehabilitation therapy typically lasts 6 weeks, a few times per week. The sessions are focused on active movement tasks while your therapist signals the Vivistim implant to deliver a gentle pulse to the vagus nerve.
The tasks will be selected by you and your therapist and will be based on functional goals that you want to improve.
Self-Activated Therapy
You can activate Vivistim with a simple Magnet swipe at home, during rehab exercises or daily activities, as you work to continue improving what matters to you most. Ongoing at-home use of Vivistim during your daily activities can lead to greater improvements in hand and arm function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although many people do not feel the implant under their skin, some people do notice it; very few people are bothered by it. Immediately after the procedure, you may have some soreness in your upper chest where the device was implanted, but it should resolve in time.
You may or may not feel the pulses during stimulation. Settings can be adjusted by your clinician or therapist during your in-office visit to make Paired VNS comfortable for you.
Improvements with Vivistim happen over time with continued use of your affected hand and arm. Individual results may vary
Any activity that uses your affected hand and arm. Some example activities are included in this packet. Your Vivistim Therapist will give you other activities and exercises to help you with your goals
Want to hear from real Vivistim users?
To learn more about Vivistim and hear insights on what to expect, view our Ambassador Webinars.