March: A Time to Raise MS Awareness

March is MS Awareness Month. A time to elevate understanding, amplify patient voices, and spotlight innovations like PoNS Therapy^® that are helping people with MS take meaningful steps forward. It’s also an opportunity to recognize the scope of this disease and the weight it carries—not only in statistics, but in lived experience. The more we understand the true cost of MS, the more committed we can be to improving what living with it looks like tomorrow.

The True Cost of MS Goes Far Beyond a Diagnosis

Today, nearly one million people in the United States are living with MS.¹ In fact, about 10,000 new cases of MS are reported each year.² But awareness is about more than numbers. It’s about understanding what those numbers represent—the day-to-day realities and the very real costs that extend far beyond diagnosis.

For up to 80% of people diagnosed with MS, walking will eventually become difficult.³ And when mobility decreases, life can become more limiting. Independence can feel less certain. Simple routines like walking through a grocery store, navigating stairs, and standing for long periods require more planning and more energy. For many, the emotional impact builds alongside the physical one, reshaping daily life in ways that are hard to quantify.

Then there is the financial burden. According to the National MS Society, the average annual cost of living with MS is $88,487 per person.⁴ MS is not only a chronic health condition. It is a quality-of-life challenge and a financial hurdle. That is why awareness matters. Because understanding the full impact of MS—physical, emotional, and financial—creates space for innovation and progress.

1 million in the US are living with MS¹

10,000 new MS cases each year²

60-80% will eventually struggle with their gait (ability to walk)³

The average annual cost of living with MS is $88,487⁴

Real Progress with PoNS^®

PoNS (Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator) is a non-invasive device that stimulates the nerves on the tongue to help activate brain pathways involved in movement and coordination. When paired with physical therapy exercise, it is known as PoNS Therapy—this combination helps retrain the brain—a process called neuroplasticity—and can support meaningful, lasting improvements in gait for patients with MS.

Real Improvements Shown in the PoNSTEP^® Study

The PoNSTEP Study showed that commitment pays off. Participants who closely followed their 14-week PoNS Therapy plan experienced statistically significant improvements in their Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)—with results lasting at least six months after completing treatment.⁵

50% of participants who maintained 85–100% adherence improved their DGI scores by nearly 7 points⁵
74% of participants who maintained at least 70% adherence achieved a 5-point or greater improvement from baseline to the end of treatment⁵

The bottom line? Consistency makes a difference. When PoNS Therapy is used as prescribed it can lead to meaningful, measurable progress.

Access to PoNS Starts with Coverage

Access to care is part of the conversation, too. Several major insurers—including Aetna, Anthem (including Anthem Multiplan), Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare—have authorized out-of-network claims for PoNS Therapy.

Efforts continue to expand coverage, simplify approvals, and make access easier for more people in 2026 and beyond. If you’re starting your PoNS journey—or navigating a current claim—our team will help guide you through the process.

4 Steps to Getting PoNS Covered

Connect with the PoNS Team to get started: Fill out our contact form, and a PoNS team member will reach out to you to discuss the PoNS process and how you can get started on your reimbursement journey.

Discuss PoNS with your doctor: With your doctor, discuss PoNS and why you believe the therapy is a good fit for you.

Get a prescription from your doctor: Once you and your doctor have aligned on PoNS Therapy, get a prescription from your doctor with a letter of medical necessity—this serves as a written justification for why the therapy is crucial for your MS!

The PoNS Team submits your claim: Once the prescription is written, reach out to us, and we will submit your PoNS claim to your private insurer, along with your prescription and letter of medical necessity. Contact us if any additional needs pop up during the process!

Have insurance questions?

Learn more here or contact us at [email protected] and we’ll connect you with the right support.

A New Path Forward

Each March, we shine a light on MS to better understand its impact—on mobility, independence, and daily life. For those experiencing gait challenges related to MS, meaningful progress may be possible. If you or a loved one is experiencing gait difficulties related to MS, talk with your healthcare provider to see if PoNS Therapy may be appropriate. Getting back in step with life starts with taking the first step.

Get Back in Step With Life Today!

Individual results and experiences may vary. Talk to your doctor to see if PoNS is right for you.

References

National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS prevalence. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-the-society/who-we-are/research-we-fund/ms-prevalence
American Brain Foundation. Multiple sclerosis. American Brain Foundation. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/diseases/multiple-sclerosis/
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Walking (gait) difficulties and MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms/ms-symptoms/walking-gait-difficulties
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Cost of multiple sclerosis. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/managing-ms/treating-ms/disease-modifying-therapies/cost-of-ms
Backus D, Langston C, Yadav VJ, et al. Long-term efficacy of translingual neurostimulation on gait deficit in MS: PoNSTEP study.CMSC Conference, Phoenix, AZ; May 2025. [Abstract]