ZYNEX INC - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

For the year ended December 31, 2017

For the transition period from                       to                      

Commission file number 33-26787-D

ZYNEX, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 703-4906

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     ¨   Yes     x   No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.     ¨  Yes     x   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x   Yes    ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x   Yes     ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     ¨   Yes     x   No

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the Registrant’s last completed second quarter, based upon the closing price of the common stock as reported by the OTCQB Stock Market on such date was approximately $8.7 million. This computation is based on the number of issued and outstanding shares held by persons other than officers, directors and shareholders of 5% or more of the registrant’s common stock

As of February 22, 2018, 32,871,877 shares of common stock are issued and 32,457,636 shares are outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference: None.

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

ZYNEX, INC

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As an issuer of penny stock, the Company will not have the benefit of the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. Nonetheless, it is important for an investor to understand that these statements, involve risks and uncertainties. These statements, relate to the discussion of our business strategies and our expectations concerning future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources and to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We have used words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “think,” “estimate,” “seek,” “expect,” “predict,” “could,” “project,” “potential” and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, in this report to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Such risks and other factors also include those listed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this report and the documents incorporated by reference. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this report as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

When used in this annual report, the terms the “Company,” “Zynex”, “we,” “us,” “ours,” and similar terms refer to Zynex, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries, Zynex Medical, Inc., Zynex NeuroDiagnostics, Inc., Zynex Monitoring Solutions Inc., Zynex Europe ApS, Zynex Billing and Consulting, LLC and Pharmazy, Inc. As of the date of this annual report, our only operating subsidiary is Zynex Medical, Inc. (“ZMI”).  Zynex Monitoring Solutions, Inc. (“ZMS”) has developed its blood volume monitoring product as described below.  None of our other subsidiaries are engaged in business operations.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

History

Zynex Inc. was founded by Thomas Sandgaard in 1996, when he founded smaller private companies that eventually were folded into Zynex, Inc.  Zynex Inc., a Nevada corporation,  that was formed in December 2001, is the parent company of and conducts business within six subsidiaries: Zynex Medical, Inc. (“ZMI”), a Colorado corporation, Zynex Neurodiagnostics, Inc. (“ZND”), a Colorado corporation, Zynex Monitoring Solutions, Inc. (“ZMS”), a Colorado corporation, Zynex Billing and Consulting, LLC (“ZBC”), a Colorado limited liability company, Zynex Europe (Zynex Europe ApS) (“ZEU”), a Danish corporation, and Pharmazy, Inc. (“Pharmazy”), which was incorporated under the laws of Colorado in June 2015 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ZMI collectively referred to as “Zynex” or the “Company”.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s only active subsidiary is Zynex Medical, Inc. (“ZMI,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) through which the Company conducts most of its operations. One other subsidiary, Zynex Europe, ApS (“ZEU,” a wholly-owned Denmark corporation), generated minimal revenues during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 from international sales and marketing. Zynex Monitoring Solutions, Inc. (“ZMS,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) has developed a blood volume monitoring device which is in the process of approval by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in the United States of American and CE Marking in Europe. As a result, ZMS has achieved no revenues to date. Its inactive subsidiaries include Zynex NeuroDiagnostics, Inc. (“ZND,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation), Zynex Billing and Consulting, LLC (“ZBC,” an 80% owned Colorado limited liability company) and Pharmazy, Inc. (“Pharmazy”), which was incorporated in June 2015 as a wholly-owned Colorado corporation. The Company’s compound pharmacy operated as a division of ZMI dba as Pharmazy through January 2016.

Over 99% of total 2016 and 2017 consolidated revenue is attributable to ZMI. Our headquarters are located in Englewood, Colorado.

Subsidiaries

Zynex Medical, Inc. (ZMI): ZMI designs, manufactures and markets medical devices that treat chronic and acute pain, as well as activate and exercise muscles for rehabilitative purposes with electrical stimulation. ZMI devices are intended for pain management to reduce reliance on drugs and medications and provide rehabilitation and increased mobility through the utilization of non-invasive muscle stimulation, electromyography technology, interferential current (“IFC”), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (“NMES”) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (“TENS”). All our medical devices are intended to be patient friendly and designed for home use. The ZMI devices are small, portable, battery operated and include an electrical pulse generator which is connected to the body via electrodes. The products are cost effective when compared to traditional physical therapy, and often result in better mobility, less pain and increased potential for a patient to return to work and live a fuller life significantly earlier than with traditional therapies alone. All of our medical devices are marketed in the U.S. and are subject to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and approval.  Our products require a physician’s prescription before they can be dispensed in the U.S. We consider the physician’s prescription as an “order”, and it is on this basis that we provide the product to the patient and either bill the patient directly or the patient’s private or government insurer for payment. ZMI’s primary product is the NexWave device.  The NexWave is marketed to physicians and therapists by our field sales representatives.   The NexWave requires consumable supplies, such as electrodes and batteries, which are shipped to patients on a recurring monthly basis, as needed.  

ZMI also designs, manufactures and markets the NeuroMove product. The NeuroMove contains electromyography and electric stimulation technology that is primarily used for stroke, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation (“SCI”), by reaching parts of the brain to re-connect with muscles, also known as neuroplasticity.  The NeuroMove product is primarily marketed to medical clinics. Zynex did not have material sales of this product in 2016 or 2017.

Zynex Medical, Inc. dba Pharmazy (ZMI) and Pharmazy, Inc (Pharmazy):

In 2012,  many industry sales representatives, including those representing Zynex, began offering prescription TransDermal Pain Creams (TDPC) to their accounts, a product that paid much higher commissions with less paperwork than TENS devices.  TDPC, like TENS, offers very effective, non-addictive pain management with minimal side effects. In late 2013, Zynex opened a compound pharmacy to enter the prescription TransDermal Pain Cream (“TDPC”) market. The new pharmacy operated within ZMI, (ZMI dba “Pharmazy”) and obtained its first state license in February 2014. In June 2015, we incorporated Pharmazy, Inc. in Colorado as a wholly owned subsidiary of ZMI. During January 2016, we shut down our compound pharmacy business.  The business struggled due to the unfavorably changing pharmacy insurance reimbursements. In addition, we focused on our core electrotherapy product business and our potential and future blood volume monitor business described for ZMS, below.

Zynex Monitoring Solutions (ZMS):

ZMS was formed in 2011 to develop and market medical devices for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. During 2015, ZMS was still in development and did not have any revenue. The blood volume monitor is a non-invasive medical device for monitoring central blood volume that would be used in operating and recovery rooms to detect blood loss during surgery and internal bleeding during recovery. This device has been subjected to multiple clinical studies, which are being utilized for collecting data to further validate the algorithm used to determine changes in central blood volume and planning for future, additional clinical studies. We have submitted a 510(k) application to the FDA and are responding to their questions. There is no guarantee when or if the product will be cleared for marketing by the FDA.

Concurrent to our FDA application, we are pursuing European Union (“EU”) Certificate European (“CE”) Marking. CE Marking is a certification that a product meets the standards established by the 28 nations of the EU and qualifies for sale in the EU and 4-nation European Free Trade Association.

The blood volume monitor has been tested in several International Review Board (“IRB”) approved studies and, during 2015, was used in several blood donation settings where hundreds of subjects have donated half a liter of blood with strong correlation to the index on the device. We have built a number of commercial devices in pilot-production and continue to refine the algorithms for the Blood Volume Index (BVI). Two utility patents have been filed for this unique application (pending), which we believe could serve a currently unmet need in the market for safer surgeries and safer monitoring of patients during recovery. ZMS did not produce any revenue for the years ending December, 31, 2017 and 2016.  

Zynex International (Zynex Europe) (ZEU):

ZEU was formed in 2012 to further progress Zynex’s international expansion. ZEU is currently conducting business and focused on sales and marketing our products within the international marketplace, upon receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. ZEU did not produce significant revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Zynex NeuroDiagnostics (ZND):

ZND was formed in 2011 to market electromyography (“EMG”), electroencephalography (“EEG”), sleep pattern, auditory and nerve conductivity neurological diagnosis devices to hospitals and clinics worldwide, through the utilization of existing ZMI diagnostic EMG technology.  ZND has not generated revenue for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and we are no longer actively pursuing sales of this product line.

Zynex Billing and Consulting (ZBC):

During the latter part of 2012, we established a medical billing and consulting subsidiary, ZBC. ZBC provided outsourced billing services for private medical practices, which include collection services, medical coding and general billing consulting. ZBC is majority owned by Zynex, Inc. (80%) and has a non-controlling interest member, owning 20%. We ceased providing billing and consulting services in April of 2015. ZBC produced 0.0% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.  

Products

We currently market and sell Zynex-manufactured products and distribute private labeled products, as indicated below:

Product Uses

Pain Management and Control

Standard electrotherapy is a clinically proven and medically accepted alternative to manage acute and chronic pain. Electrical stimulation has been shown to reduce most types of local pain, such as tennis elbow, neck or lower back pain, arthritis, and others. The devices used to accomplish this are commonly described as the TENS family of devices. Electrotherapy is not known to have any negative side effects, a significant advantage over most pain relief medications. The benefits of electrotherapy can include: pain relief, increased blood flow, reduced edema, prevention of venous thrombosis, increased range-of-motion, prevention of muscle disuse atrophy, and reduced urinary incontinence.

Electrotherapy introduces an electrical current applied through surface electrodes. The electrical current “distorts” a pain signal on its way to the central nervous system and the brain, thus reducing the pain. Additionally, by applying higher levels of electricity, muscles contract and such contraction may assist in the effects mentioned above.

Numerous clinical studies have been published over several decades showing the effectiveness of IFC and TENS for pain relief. Zynex’s primary TENS device, the NexWave has received FDA 510(k) clearance. The NexWave is a digital IFC, TENS and NMES device that delivers pain-alleviating electrotherapy.

Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Our proprietary NeuroMove product is a Class II medical device that has been cleared by the FDA for stroke and SCI rehabilitation. Stroke and SCI usually affect a survivor’s mobility, functionality, speech, and memory, and the NeuroMove helps the survivor regain movement and functionality.

The NeuroMove product utilizes the relatively new science of “neuroplasticity”, the process by which healthy parts of the brain learn to compensate and assume functions previously carried out by the damaged areas. To accomplish this task, the extraordinarily sensitive NeuroMove technology monitors muscle activity and detects brain signals that indicate, even without any visible movement, the brain’s effort to move a specific muscle or area of the body. Once the effort is detected, the NeuroMove induces actual movement through electrical stimulation, thus providing effective feedback to initiate relearning in the healthy part of the brain.

We believe the NeuroMove product is unique because its built-in microprocessor can recognize low-level attempts by muscles to contract and then “reward” such detection with electrical stimulation. We do not believe there are similar products in the stroke rehabilitation market. Some generic devices are being offered in international markets; however, we do not believe these products provide similar results with respect to stroke rehabilitation. When conscientiously using the NeuroMove product for three to twelve months, studies show that the majority of NeuroMove patients can re-establish the connection between the brain and impaired muscle and thus regain movement and functionality.  When movement and functionality are restored, the patient may experience increased mobility, increased productivity, an improved outlook, and a reduced risk of accidents, and may be able to engage in activities they were precluded from before using the NeuroMove. Sales of NeuroMove have not generated material revenue for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Our Markets

Zynex Medical (ZMI):

To date, the majority of our revenue has been generated by our ZMI electrotherapy products. Thus, we primarily compete in the home electrotherapy market, with products based on IFC, TENS and NMES devices and consumable supplies. We estimate the annual domestic market for home electrotherapy products at approximately $500 million. Due to our improved recent financial performance and related cash flows, we are currently growing our sales force to address what we believe is an unaddressed market in the electrotherapy market. The current opioid epidemic has been declared a health emergency and we are uniquely positioned to help reduce the amount of opioids prescribed for treatment of chronic and acute pain symptoms. We are committed to providing health care professionals with alternatives to traditional opioid based treatment programs with our prescription-strength products which have no side-effects. This has never been more necessary than it is today considering the staggering statistics.

We have added new products such as JetStream Hot/Cold Therapy, Aspen LSO Backbracing and Comfortrac cervical traction, all products targeted at treating acute as well as chronic pain without side-effects.

In the market segments in which we compete, we face a mixture of competitors ranging from large manufacturers with multiple business lines to small manufacturers that offer a limited selection of products. The primary competitor in our market is International Rehabilitative Sciences, Inc. d/b/a RS Medical. In addition, we face competition from providers of alternative medical therapies, such as pharmaceutical companies.

Key characteristics of our electrotherapy market are:

Zynex Monitoring Solutions (ZMS):

ZMS is focused on developing products within the non-invasive multi-parameter patient-monitoring marketplace. ZMS is currently focusing on developing its blood volume monitor. We believe our product, once released into the marketplace (of which there can be no guarantee), will compete against multiple competitors, ranging from large manufacturers with multiple business lines to small manufacturers that offer a limited range of products. We have not yet identified competitors for this product. ZMS has not generated any revenue as this product is still in the process of FDA approval and CE Marking.

Zynex NeuroDiagnostics (ZND):

ZND is focused on developing products within the neurosensing marketplace in an effort to diversify our concentration of ZMI electrotherapy revenue. There were no significant revenues during 2017 or 2016 in ZND.

Sales and Growth Strategies

To date, ZMI accounts for substantially all of our revenue and profit. We are currently focused on expanding our sales force to address what we believe is an untapped market for electrotherapy products which has recently become more attractive due to large competitors exiting the market.

In an effort to increase revenue and diversification to become less sensitive to reimbursement changes, we are continually adding new products such as our hot/cold therapy, cervical traction and LSO back braces which are less impacted by insurance reimbursement to our ZMI sales channel and are pursuing other opportunities, including the Blood Volume Monitor. We believe these events and actions will serve to focus and increase our market share in the electrotherapy market and, in the future, diversify our product mix. We also continue to modify and refine our geographic sales channels through experienced sales representatives, representing a mix of Zynex employees, sales contractors and international distributors. As of December 31, 2017 we had approximately101 active field sales representatives. An insignificant amount of our revenue is derived from international sales; however we continue to take steps to penetrate the global medical device marketplace.

Manufacturing and Product Assembly

Our manufacturing and product assembly strategy consists of the following elements:

We utilize contract manufacturers (principally located in the United States) to manufacture components for our NexWave and NeuroMove units and for some of our other products; and manufacture / assemble in-house for our NexWave and NeuroMove units. We do not have long term supply agreements with our contract manufacturers, but utilize purchase orders with agreed upon terms for our ongoing needs. We believe there are numerous suppliers that can manufacture our products and provide our required raw materials. Generally, we have been able to obtain adequate supplies of our required raw materials and components. We are always evaluating our suppliers for price, quality, delivery time and service. The reduction or interruption in supply, and an inability to develop alternative sources for such supply, could adversely affect our operations.

During 2016 and the first half of 2017, our inventory levels, which is driven by product assembly, was constrained by liquidity issues. Due to improved operating results in 2016 and 2017, we believe our liquidity constraints have been removed and we are in the process of building our inventory reserves to meet current sales demands. 

Distribution and Revenue Streams:

Currently, almost all of our revenue is generated through our ZMI subsidiary from our electrotherapy products.

We sell most of our medical devices through direct and independent sales representatives in the United States. Our field sales representatives are engaged to sell in predefined geographic markets and are compensated based on the amount of cash collected from products sold. Currently, the United States has been the market that we have focused on; however, we have established international distributors in Canada, Australia, Russia, China, India, Singapore, Holland, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Viet Nam. Typically, we sell and ship product directly to our international distributors, who work directly with the ultimate patient or end-user. To date these international customers have not generated significant revenue.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from patients with private health insurance carriers with insurance plans, typically known as HMO or PPO, on behalf of their insureds as well as worker’s compensation agencies. The balance of the revenue is primarily received from attorneys representing injured patients, hospitals, clinics and private-pay individuals. We no longer accept Medicare and Medicaid orders.

A large part of our revenue is recurring. Recurring revenue results primarily from the sale of surface electrodes and batteries sent to existing patients on our units. Electrodes and batteries are consumable items that are considered an integral part of our products.

Private Labeled Distributed Products

In addition to our own products, we distribute, through our sales force, a number of private labeled products from other domestic manufacturers in order to complement our products. These products generally include patient consumables, such as electrodes and batteries plus cervical traction, lumbar support and hot/cold therapy. Customarily, there are no formal contracts between vendors in the durable medical equipment industry. Replacement products and components are easily found, either from our own products or other manufacturers, and purchases are made by purchase order.

Intellectual Property

Although we do not own any patents, we believe that our products contain certain proprietary software. We currently have applied for utility patents for products related to cardiac monitoring within ZMS in both US and Europe. In the future, we may seek patents for advances to our existing products and for new products as they are developed. During 2017 and 2016, we incurred approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of research and development expenses. We expect our research and development expenditures will be limited throughout 2018.

Zynex is trademarked in the U.S.

We utilize non-disclosure and trade secret agreements with employees and third parties to protect our proprietary information.

Regulatory Approval and Process

Federal Drug Association (FDA)

All our ZMI products are classified as Class II (Medium Risk) devices by the FDA, and clinical studies with our products are considered to be NSR (Non-Significant Risk Studies). Our business is regulated by the FDA, and all products typically require 510(k) market clearance before they can be put in commercial distribution. Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, is available in certain instances for Class II (Medium Risk) products. It requires that before introducing most Class II devices into interstate commerce, our introducing the product must first submit information to the FDA demonstrating that the device is substantially equivalent in terms of safety and effectiveness to a device legally marketed prior to March 1976 or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that do not require approval of a premarket approval application. When the FDA determines that the device is substantially equivalent, the agency issues a “clearance” letter that authorizes marketing of the product. We are also regulated by the FDA’s GMP and QSR (Quality Systems Regulation). We believe that our products have obtained or are good candidates for the requisite FDA clearance or are exempt from the FDA clearance process. In November 2001, Zynex received FDA 510(k) clearance to market NeuroMove. In September 2011, Zynex received FDA 510(k) clearance to market the NexWave, our current generation IFC, TENS and NMES device. In August 2012, Zynex received FDA 510(k) clearance to market the InWave, our next generation muscle stimulator for treatment of female incontinence. Failure to comply with FDA requirements could adversely affect us.

International

Zynex has received CE Marking approval for several of its products. CE Marking is a certification that a product meets the standards established by the 28 nations of the EU and qualifies for sale in the EU and 4-nation European Free Trade Association.

The Far East, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin American markets have different regulatory requirements. We comply with applicable regulatory requirements within the markets in which we currently sell. If and when we decide to enter additional geographic areas, we intend to comply with applicable regulatory requirements within those markets.

Zynex has received ISO13485: 2012 certification for its compliance with international standards in quality management systems for design, development, manufacturing and distribution of medical devices. This certification is not only important as an assurance that we have the appropriate quality systems in place but is also crucial to our international expansion efforts as many countries require this certification as part of their regulatory approval. The quality management system is audited on an annual basis and current recertification is pending final audit review.

Government Regulation

The delivery of health care services and products has become one of the most highly regulated of professional and business endeavors in the United States. Both the federal government and individual state governments are responsible for overseeing the activities of individuals and businesses engaged in the delivery of health care services and products. Federal law and regulations are based primarily upon the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Each program is financed, at least in part, with federal funds. State jurisdiction is based upon the state’s interest in regulating the quality of health care in the state, regardless of the source of payment. Many state and local jurisdictions impose additional legal and regulatory requirements on our business including various states and local licenses, taxes, limitations regarding insurance claim submission and limitations on relationships with referral parties. Failure to comply with this myriad of regulations in a particular jurisdiction may subject us to fines or other penalties, including the inability to sell our products in certain jurisdictions.

Federal health care laws apply to us when we submit a claim to any other federally funded health care program, in addition to requirements to meet government standards. The principal federal laws that we must abide by in these situations include:

The federal government may impose criminal, civil and administrative penalties on anyone who files a false claim for reimbursement from federally funded programs.

A federal law commonly known as the “anti-kickback law” prohibits the knowing or willful solicitation, receipt, offer or payment of any remuneration made in return for:

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, we employed 109 employees. We also engage a number of independent commission-only sales contractors.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

We’ve encountered significant volatility in our recent operating results

The Company’s results from operations have improved significantly in recent years but there has been significant volatility in our results over the past 5 years as reflected in the following table (in thousands):

Our financial results could continue to be volatile and there is no assurance we will continue our current increase in revenue and profits.

Our history of operating losses and negative working capital may make it difficult to raise any new capital and may have an adverse impact on our relationship with third parties with whom we do business, including our customers, vendors and employees.  

We’ve had lack of liquidity in recent periods which led to a going concern opinion in prior years.

During 2013-2015, the Company suffered operating losses which caused a lack of liquidity and a substantial working capital deficit. This raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During 2016, the Company generated net income during Q3 and Q4 and combined with the profitability in 2017, the Company has recorded six consecutive profitable quarters, paid off its line of credit with Triumph Healthcare Finance, a division of TBK Bank, SSB, formerly known as Triumph Community Bank, (“Triumph”) and generated cash reserves and positive working capital.

Our history of operating losses could make it difficult to raise any new capital and may have an adverse impact on our relationship with third parties with whom we do business, including our customers, vendors and employees.

We cannot be certain the Company won’t be impacted by liquidity challenges in the future due to the volatile operating results mentioned above.

We are dependent on reimbursement from insurance companies; changes in insurance reimbursement policies or application of them have resulted in decreased or delayed revenues

A large percentage of our revenues come from insurance company and government health care program reimbursement. Upon delivery of our products to our customers, we directly bill the customers’ private insurance company or government payor for reimbursement. If the billed payors do not pay their bills on a timely basis or if they change their policies to exclude or reduce coverage for our products, we would experience a decline in our revenue as well as cash flow. In addition, we may deliver products to customers based on past practices and billing experiences with health insurance companies and have a health insurance company later deny coverage for such products.

In some cases our delivered product may not be covered pursuant to a policy statement of a health insurance provider, despite a payment history of the insurance provider and benefits to the patients. A health insurance provider may seek repayment of amounts previously paid for covered products. We maintain an allowance for provider discounts for amounts intended to cover legitimate requests for repayment. Failure to adequately identify and provide for amounts for resolution of repayment demands in our allowance for provider discounts could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. For government health care programs, if we identify a deficiency in prior claims or practices, we may be required to repay amounts previously reimbursed to us by government health care programs.

We frequently receive, and expect to continue to receive, refund requests from insurance providers relating to specific patients and dates of service. Billing and reimbursement disputes are very common in our industry. These requests are sometimes related to a few patients and other times include a significant number of refund claims in a single request. We review and evaluate these requests and determine if any refund is appropriate. We also review claims where we are rebilling or pursuing additional reimbursement from that insurance provider. We frequently have significant offsets against such refund requests which may result in amounts that are due to us in excess of the amounts of refunds requested by the insurance providers. Therefore, at the time of receipt of such refund requests we are generally unable to determine if a refund request is valid. Although we cannot predict whether or when a request for repayment or our subsequent request for reimbursement will be resolved, it is not unusual for such matters to be unresolved for a long period of time. No assurances can be given with respect to our estimates for our allowance for provider discounts for reimbursements and offsets or the ultimate outcome of the refund requests.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company collected $880,000 from a single insurance company for accounts receivable. The accounts receivable had been previously reduced to zero by the allowance for billing adjustments. Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the insurance company verbally communicated to the Company that this payment was made in error and requested it be refunded to the insurance company. The Company recorded this $880,000 insurance reimbursement as a deferred insurance liability as of March 31, 2016. However, the Company is disputing the refund request and has initiated an internal review of the reimbursement to determine that the original sales arrangement was properly executed, the products had been received and title was transferred, the price of the products or services and the reimbursement rate is fixed and determinable, and the Company’s ultimate claim to the reimbursement is reasonably assured. The Company expects to record the appropriate amount as net revenue when such internal review is complete and the Company’s claim to the amount is reasonably assured. To the extent that the Company has to repay any significant portion of the $880,000, this will have a negative effect on the Company’s liquidity position.

Future changes in coverage and reimbursement policies for our products or reductions in reimbursement rates for our products by third party payors could adversely affect our business and results of operations

In the United States, our products are prescribed by physicians for their patients. Based on the prescription, which we consider an order, we submit a claim for payment directly to third-party payors such as private commercial insurance carriers, government payors and others as appropriate and the payor reimburses us directly. Federal and state statutes, rules or other regulatory measures that restrict coverage of our products or reimbursement rates could have an adverse effect on our ability to sell or rent our products or cause physical therapists and physicians to dispense and prescribe alternative, lower-cost products.

There are significant estimating risks associated with the amount of revenue, related refund liabilities, accounts receivable and provider discounts that we recognize, and if we are unable to accurately estimate these amounts, it could impact the timing of our revenue recognition, have a significant impact on our operating results or lead to a restatement of our financial results

There are significant estimating risks associated with the amount of revenues, related refund liabilities, accounts receivable and provider discounts that we recognize in a reporting period. The billing and collection process is complex due to ongoing insurance coverage changes, geographic coverage differences, differing interpretations of coverage, differing provider discount rates and other third party payor issues. Determining applicable primary and secondary coverage for our customers at any point in time, together with the changes in patient coverage that occur each month, requires complex, resource-intensive processes. Errors in determining the correct coordination of benefits may result in refunds to payors. Revenues associated with government programs are also subject to estimating risk related to the amounts not paid by the primary government payor that will ultimately be collectable from other government programs paying secondary coverage, the patient’s commercial health plan secondary coverage or the patient. Collections, refunds and pay or retractions typically continue to occur for up to three years and longer after our products are provided. While we typically look to our past experience in collections with a payor in estimating ultimate amounts expected to be collected on current billings, nonetheless recent trends and current changes in reimbursement practice, the overall healthcare environment, and other factors could ultimately impact the amount of revenues recorded and the receivables ultimately collected. If our estimates of revenues, related refund liabilities, accounts receivable or provider discounts are materially inaccurate, it could impact the timing of our revenue recognition and have a significant impact on our operating results. It could also lead to a restatement of our financial results.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) which is effective for us January 1, 2018. We finalized our analysis of the new revenue guidance and we currently believe the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could have material effects on the Company.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, makes significant changes to the taxation of U.S. business entities. These changes include a permanent reduction to the federal corporate income tax rate and changes in the deductibility of interest on corporate debt obligations, among others. Although we are evaluating the Tax Act with our professional advisers, the impact of the Tax Act on our business is currently uncertain

The patient protection and accountability act of 2010 has had an impact on our business which may be in part beneficial and in part detrimental

In March 2010, broad federal health care reform legislation was enacted in the United States. This legislation did not become effective immediately in total, and may be modified prior to the effective date of some provisions. This legislation has had an impact on our business in a variety of ways including increased number of Medicaid recipients, increased number of individuals with commercial insurance, additional audits conducted by public health insurance plans such as Medicaid and Medicare, changes to the rules that govern employer group health insurance and other factors that influence the acquisition and use of health insurance from private and public payors. This legislation has resulted in a change in reimbursement for certain durable medical equipment. We believe the new healthcare legislation and these changes to reimbursement have caused uncertainty with prescribers, which we believe contributed to our drop in orders and revenue during 2013 and 2014 and the lack of any significant increase in 2015. Orders and revenue increased in 2016 and 2017, however we are currently unable to determine whether such trend will continue in future periods or whether the health care reform legislation will have other adverse consequences to our business and results of operations. To the extent prescribers write fewer prescriptions for our products or there is an adverse change to insurance reimbursement for our products, due to the new law or otherwise, our revenue and profitability will be materially adversely affected.

Effective 2013, there was a 2.3% excise tax on the first sale of medical devices, with certain exceptions. We believe that a majority of our ZMI products are not subject to this tax but currently we can make no assurance. For our products that are or become subject to this excise tax, we are uncertain of our ability to pass this tax on to third parties. Thus far this excise tax has not had a material impact on our financial results.

The uncertainty of continuing healthcare changes and regulations may place our business model in doubt

As the popular press has made clear, there is substantial doubt on the continuation of the Affordable Care Act and the legislation that the current Congress will enact to replace it, if any. There is also substantial doubt whether, even if the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, the president will support it or take regulatory action to negatively impact its benefits. This significant amount of uncertainty creates a significant concern on our customer’s willingness to buy products which may, or may not, be covered by future health care benefits even if they are covered currently.

Hospitals and clinicians may not buy, prescribe or use our products in sufficient numbers, which could result in decreased revenues and profits

Hospitals and clinicians may not accept any of our products as effective, reliable, and cost-effective. Factors that could prevent such institutional customer acceptance include:

Because our sales are dependent on prescriptions from physicians, if any of these or other factors results in fewer prescriptions for our products being written, we will have reduced revenues and may not be able to fully fund operations. Although we experienced an increase in orders for our ZMI products during 2016 and 2017 compared to prior years, we can make no assurances that demand for our products will not decline in future periods.

Any new competitor could be larger than us and have greater financial and other resources than we do and those advantages could make it difficult for us to compete with them

Many competitors to our products may have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, and other resources. Competition could result in our need to reduce prices, result in fewer orders, reduced gross margins, and loss of market share. Our products are regulated by the FDA. Competitors may develop products that are substantially equivalent to our FDA cleared products, thereby using our products as predicate devices to more quickly obtain FDA approval for their own. If overall demand for our products should decrease it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Substantial competition is expected in the future in the area of stroke rehabilitation that may directly compete with our NeuroMove product. These competitors may use standard or novel signal processing techniques to detect muscular movement and generate stimulation to such muscles. Other companies may develop rehabilitation products that perform better and/or are less expensive than our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Failure to keep pace with the latest technological changes could result in decreased revenues

The market for some of our products is characterized by rapid change and technological improvements. Failure to respond in a timely and cost-effective way to these technological developments could result in serious harm to our business and operating results. We have derived, and we expect to continue to derive, a substantial portion of our revenues from the development and sale of products in the medical device industry. As a result, our success will depend, in part, on our ability to develop and market product offerings that respond in a timely manner to the technological advances of our competitors, evolving industry standards and changing patient preferences. There is no assurance that we will keep up with technological improvements.

A third-party manufacturer’s inability to produce our goods on time and to our specifications could result in lost revenue

Third-party manufacturers assemble and manufacture to our specifications components of the NexWave and NeuroMove and some of our other products. The inability of a manufacturer to ship orders of our products in a timely manner or to meet our quality standards could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers for those items, which could result in cancellation of orders, refusal to accept deliveries or a reduction in purchase prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues. Because of the timing and seriousness of our business, and the medical device industry in particular, the dates on which customers need and require shipments of products from us are critical. Further, because quality is a leading factor when customers, doctors, health insurance providers and distributors accept or reject goods, any decline in quality by our third-party manufacturers could be detrimental not only to a particular order, but also to our future relationship with that particular customer.

If we need to replace manufacturers, our expenses could increase resulting in smaller profit margins.

We compete with other companies for the production capacity of our manufacturers and import quota capacity. Some of these competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have, and thus have an advantage in the competition for production and import quota capacity. If we experience a significant increase in demand, or if we need to replace an existing manufacturer, we may have to expand our third-party manufacturing capacity. We cannot assure that this additional capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us or similar to existing terms, which we have with our manufacturers, either from a production standpoint or a financial standpoint. We enter into a number of purchase order commitments specifying a time for delivery, method of payment, design and quality specifications and other standard industry provisions, but do not have long-term contracts with any manufacturer. None of the manufacturers we use produce our products exclusively. Should we be forced to replace one or more of our manufacturers, we may experience increased costs or an adverse operational impact due to delays in distribution and delivery of our products to our customers, which could cause us to lose customers or lose revenue because of late shipments.

Cyber-attacks and security vulnerabilities could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, or harm to our competitive position.

Increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks have resulted in an increase in information security risks in recent years. Hackers develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack products and services and gain access to networks and data centers. If we were to experience difficulties maintaining existing systems or implementing new systems, we could incur significant losses due to disruptions in our operations. Additionally, these systems contain valuable proprietary and confidential information and may contain personal data of our customers. A security breach could result in disruptions of our internal systems and business applications, harm to our competitive position from the compromise of confidential business information, or subject us to liability under laws that protect personal data. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.  Any of these consequences would adversely affect our revenue and margins.

If we are unable to retain the services of Mr. Sandgaard or if we are unable to successfully recruit qualified managerial and sales personnel with experience in our business, we may not be able to continue our operations

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the continued service of Mr. Thomas Sandgaard, our Chief Executive Officer and Founder and beneficial owner of 53% of our outstanding stock. Loss of the services of Mr. Sandgaard could have a material adverse effect on our growth, revenues, and prospective business. There is currently no employment agreement with Mr. Sandgaard. We do not maintain key-man insurance on the life of Mr. Sandgaard. In addition, in order to successfully implement and manage our business plan, we will be dependent upon, among other things, successfully retaining and recruiting qualified managerial and sales personnel having experience in our business. Competition for qualified individuals is intense. Various factors, such as marketability of our products, our reputation, our liquidity, and sales commission structure can affect our ability to find, attract or retain sales personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to find, attract and retain qualified new employees and sales representatives and retain existing employees and sales representatives.

We need to maintain insurance coverage, which could become very expensive or have limited availability

Our marketing and sale of medical device products and services creates an inherent risk of claims for product liability. As a result, we carry product liability insurance and will continue to maintain insurance in amounts we consider adequate to protect us from claims. We cannot, however, be assured that we have resources sufficient to satisfy liability claims in excess of policy limits if required to do so. Also, if we are subject to such liability claims, there is no assurance that our insurance provider will continue to insure us at current levels or that our insurance rates will not substantially rise in the future, resulting in increased costs to us or forcing us to either pay higher premiums or reduce our coverage amounts, which would result in increased liability to claims. In addition, in January 2017, we have obtained director and officer insurance that covers current and prior periods.

We depend upon obtaining regulatory approval of any new products and/or manufacturing operations we develop and maintain approvals of current products; failure to obtain or maintain such regulatory approvals could result in increased costs, lost revenue, penalties and fines.

Before marketing any new products, we will need to complete one or more clinical investigations of each product. There can be no assurance that the results of such clinical investigations will be favorable to us. We may not know the results of any study, favorable or unfavorable to us, until after the study has been completed. Such data must be submitted to the FDA as part of any regulatory filing seeking approval to market the product. Even if the results are favorable, the FDA may dispute the claims of safety, efficacy, or clinical utility and not allow the product to be marketed. The sale price of the product may not be enough to recoup the amount of our investment in conducting the investigative studies and we may expend significant funds on research and development on products that are rejected by the FDA. Some of our products are marketed based upon our interpretation of FDA regulation allowing for changes to an existing device. If our interpretations are incorrect, we could suffer consequences that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows and could result in fines and penalties. There can be no assurance that we will have the financial resources to complete development of any new products or to complete the regulatory approval process or to maintain regulatory compliance of existing products.

We may not be able to obtain clearance of a 510 (k) notification or approval of a denovo or pre-market approval application with respect to any products on a timely basis, if at all.

If timely FDA clearance or approval of new products is not obtained, our business could be materially adversely affected. Clearance of a 510(k) notification or DeNovo application may also be required before marketing certain previously marketed products, which have been modified after they have been cleared. Should the FDA so require, the filing of a new 510(k) notification for the modification of the product may be required prior to marketing any modified devices.

To determine whether adequate compliance has been achieved, the FDA may inspect our facilities at any time. Such compliance can be difficult and costly to achieve and maintain. Our compliance status may change due to future changes in, or interpretations of, FDA regulations or other regulatory agencies. Such changes may result in the FDA withdrawing marketing clearance or requiring product recall. In addition, any changes or modifications to a device or its intended use may require us to reassess compliance with good manufacturing practices guidelines, potentially interrupting the marketing and sale of products. We may also fail to comply with complex FDA regulations due to their complexity or otherwise. Failure to comply with regulations could result in enforceable actions, including product seizures, product recalls, withdrawal of clearances or approvals, and civil and criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and reputation.

We continue to incur substantial expenses

The area of medical device research is subject to rapid and significant technological changes. Developments and advances in the medical industry by either competitors or other parties can affect our business in either a positive or negative manner. Developments and changes in technology that are favorable to us may significantly advance the potential of our research while developments and advances in research methods outside of the methods we are using may severely hinder, or halt completely our development.

We are a small company in terms of employees, technical and research resources and we have limited liquidity. We expect to incur research and development and sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses. These amounts may increase before any commensurate incremental revenue from these efforts may be obtained and may adversely affect our potential profits and we may lack the liquidity to pay for such expenditures. These factors may also hinder our ability to meet changes in the medical industry as rapidly or effectively as competitors with more resources.

We may be unable to protect our trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights that are important to our business

We consider our trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property an integral component of our success. We rely on trademark law and trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements with employees, customers, partners and others to protect our intellectual property. Effective trademark and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products are available. We currently own no patents. We cannot be certain that we have taken adequate steps to protect our intellectual property, especially in countries where the laws may not protect our rights as fully as in the United States. In addition, if our third-party confidentiality agreements are breached there may not be an adequate remedy available to us. If our trade secrets become publicly known, we may lose competitive advantages.

Substantial costs could be incurred defending against claims of infringement

Other companies, including competitors, may obtain patents or other proprietary rights that would limit, interfere with, or otherwise circumscribe Zynex’s ability to make, use, or sell products. Should there be a successful claim of infringement against us and if we could not license the alleged infringed technology at a reasonable cost, our business and operating results could be adversely affected. There has been substantial litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the medical device industry. The validity and breadth of claims covered in medical technology patents involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. Any litigation claims against us, independent of their validity, may result in substantial costs and the diversion of resources with no assurance of success. Intellectual property claims could cause us to:

Our business could be adversely affected by reliance on sole suppliers

Notwithstanding our current multiple supplier approach, in the future certain essential product components may be supplied by sole, or a limited group of, suppliers. Most of our products and components are purchased through purchase orders rather than through long term supply agreements and large volumes of inventory may not be maintained. There may be shortages and delays in obtaining certain product components. Disruption of the supply or inventory of components could result in a significant increase in the costs of these components or could result in an inability to meet the demand for our products. In addition, if a change in the manufacturer of a key component is required, qualification of a new supplier may result in delays and additional expenses in meeting customer demand for products. These factors could adversely affect our revenues and ability to retain our experienced sales force.

Our products are subject to recall even after receiving FDA or foreign clearance or approval, which would harm our reputation and business

We are subject to medical device reporting regulations that require us to report to the FDA or respective governmental authorities in other countries if our products cause or contribute to a death or serious injury or malfunction in a way that would be reasonably likely to contribute to death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur. The FDA and similar governmental authorities in other countries have the authority to require the recall of our products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacturing. A government mandated or voluntary recall by us could occur as a result of component failures, manufacturing errors or design defects, including defects in labeling.

Any recall would divert managerial and financial resources and could harm our reputation with customers. We cannot assure you that we will not have product recalls in the future or that such recalls would not have a material adverse effect on our business. We have not undertaken any voluntary or involuntary recalls to date.

Our principal executive officer owns a controlling interest in our voting stock and investors will not have any voice in our management

Our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman, , Thomas Sandgaard, beneficially owns approximately 53% of our outstanding common stock as of February 22, 2018. As a result, Mr. Sandgaard has the ability to control substantially all day to day operations of our company and all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including:

We are a relatively small company with a limited number of products and staff. Sales fluctuations and employee turnover may adversely affect our business

We are a relatively small company. Consequently, compared to larger companies, sales fluctuations could have a greater impact on our revenue and profitability on a quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year basis and delays in patient orders could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year-to-year. In addition, as a small company we have limited staff and are heavily reliant on certain key personnel to operate our business. If a key employee were to leave the company it could have a material impact on our business and results of operations as we might not have sufficient depth in our staffing to fill the role that was previously being performed. A delay in filling the vacated position could put a strain on existing personnel or result in a failure to satisfy our contractual obligations or to effectively implement our internal controls, and materially harm our business.

We’ve had material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting in previous periods

We believe we have remediated prior material weaknesses but as a small company with limited resources, it is possible we identify material weaknesses in the future. If we do not remediate any such weaknesses in the future, in addition to any impact on our stock price, it could also impact our ability to raise capital and could affect adversely our reputation, which collaterally could affect our ability to retain sales personnel and business relationships with insurance companies paying for our products and vendors.

We may fail to protect the privacy, integrity and security of customer information

We possess and process sensitive customer information and Protected Health Information protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (“HIPAA”). While we have taken reasonable and appropriate steps to protect that information, if our security procedures and controls were compromised, it could harm our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition and may increase the costs we incur to protect against such information security breaches, such as increased investment in technology, the costs of compliance with health care privacy and consumer protection laws. A compromise of our privacy or security procedures could also subject us to liability under certain health care privacy laws applicable to us.

Expansion of our operations and sales internationally may subject us to additional risks, including risks associated with unexpected events

A component of our growth strategy is to expand our operations and sales internationally. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully market, sell and deliver our products in foreign markets, or that we will be able to successfully expand our international operations. Global operations could cause us to be subject to unexpected, uncontrollable and rapidly changing risks, events and circumstances.

The following factors, among others, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations:

Changes in financial accounting standards or practices may cause adverse, unexpected financial reporting fluctuations and affect our reported results of operations.

We are required to prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which is periodically revised and/or expanded. From time to time, we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the FASB and the SEC. It is possible that future accounting standards we are required to adopt may require additional changes to the current accounting treatment that we apply to our financial statements and may require us to make significant changes to our reporting systems. Such changes could result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, effective January 1, 2018, we were required to adopt ASC 606. The Company currently believes any changes made in adopting ASC 606 will be immaterial to its financial statement but the adoption of ASC 606 is complex and it is possible the adoption of ASC 606  has a material effect on our financial statements. See Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details regarding ASC 606.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON STOCK

Our common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC and the trading market in our securities is limited, which makes transactions in our stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of an investment in our stock

Since our common stock is not listed or quoted on any stock exchange and no other exemptions may apply, trading in our common stock on the OTC Markets may be subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC. These rules require, among other things, that any broker engaging in a transaction in our securities provide its customers with a risk disclosure document, disclosure of market quotations, if any, disclosure of the compensation of the broker and its salespersons in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market values of our securities held in the customer’s accounts. The brokers must provide bid and offer quotations and compensation information before making any purchase or sale of a penny stock and also provide this information in the customer’s confirmation. Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

Sales of significant amounts of shares held by Mr. Sandgaard, or the prospect of these sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock

Sales of significant amounts of shares held by Mr. Sandgaard, or the prospect of these sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a resolution in certain issues in his divorce, in December 2015 Mr. Sandgaard transferred 250,000 shares of common stock he owned to the former Mrs. Sandgaard, which shares will become tradeable by Ms. Sandgaard after complying with the legal requirements under Rule 144 and other guidance. Mr. Sandgaard’s stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price. Mr. Sandgaard has no control whether or when Ms. Sandgaard may choose to sell those shares or other shares of the Company’s common stock she may own.

Because we have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock, investors must look solely to stock appreciation for a return on their investment in us

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  We currently intend to retain all future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business.  Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that the board of directors deems relevant.  

 Investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize a return on their current investment.  Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock. Given the extremely small trading volume, it is unlikely that any shareholder will be able to achieve a significant profit even if the stock price rises (of which there can be no assurance).

Our statues as a ‘controlled company’ could make our class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

Although our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB, because we qualify as a "controlled company" under the corporate governance rules for listed companies, we would not be required to have a majority of our board of directors be independent if we were a listed company, nor would we be required to have a compensation committee or an independent nominating function. Accordingly, should the interests of our controlling stockholder differ from those of other stockholders, the other stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all corporate governance rules. Our status as a controlled company could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

Our existing shareholders have experienced dilution as a result of shares issued to the broker-dealer involved in our recent placement of debt and will experience further dilution if we elect to raise equity capital to meet our liquidity needs

Due to our past liquidity issues, we have had to raise capital in the form of debt and/or equity to meet working capital needs.  We may also be required to issue equity (or debt) securities in the future to meet our liquidity needs which would result in additional dilution to our existing stockholders.  Although we will attempt to minimize the dilutive impact of any future capital-raising activities, we cannot offer any assurance that we will be able to do so.  If we raise additional working capital, we may have to issue additional shares of our common stock at prices at a discount from the then-current market price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIESIn October 2017, we signed a lease for a new corporate headquarters in Englewood, Colorado beginning in January 2018. The lease is for approximately 41,715 square feet and continues through June 30, 2023 with an option for a two year extension through June 2025. Our prior headquarters lease contained a termination clause upon 30 days’ notice by either party which we executed during December 2017. We also lease a small office/warehouse in Denmark. We believe that these leased properties are sufficient to support our requirements until the leases expire. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these leases. 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB (managed by OTC Markets, Inc) Bulletin Board under the symbol “ZYXI”.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for our common stock for each quarter of the last two fiscal years, as reported on the OTCQB. The quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

As of February 22, 2018, there were 32,457,636 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 269 record holders of our common stock.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Beginning on December 6, 2017, and continuing through December 5, 2018, we have the ability through our stock purchase program to re-purchase our common stock at prevailing market prices either in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions up to $2.0 million.  The size and timing of such purchases, if any, was based on market and business conditions as well as other factors.  We are not obligated to purchase any shares.

From the inception of the plan through December 31, 2017, we purchased 86,837 shares of our common stock for $0.2 million or an average price of $2.86 per share.

We have never paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board deems relevant. 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, there were no sales by us of unregistered securities except as noted below and as described in Note 10 to the Audited Financial Statements.

The following sets forth the information required by Item 701 of Regulation S-K:

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This annual report contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future organic growth and other business development activities, as well as the impact of reimbursement trends, other capital spending and financing sources. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. These risks include the Company’s possible need for additional capital in order to grow our business, our ability to engage effective sales representatives, the need to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) clearance and Certificate European (“CE”) marking of new products, the acceptance of new products as well as existing products by doctors and hospitals, our dependence on the reimbursement from insurance companies for products sold or rented to our customers, acceptance of our products by health insurance providers for reimbursement, larger competitors with greater financial resources, the need to keep pace with technological changes, our dependence on third-party manufacturers to produce key components of our products on time and to our specifications, implementation of our sales strategy including a strong direct sales force, and other risks described herein and included in “Item 1A-Risk Factors.”.

OVERVIEW

We operate in one primary business segment, Electrotherapy and Pain Management Products. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s only active subsidiary is Zynex Medical, Inc. (“ZMI,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) through which the Company conducts most of its operations. One other subsidiary, Zynex Europe, ApS (“ZEU,” a wholly-owned Denmark corporation), did not generate material revenues during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 from international sales and marketing. Zynex Monitoring Solutions, Inc. (“ZMS,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) is developing a blood volume monitoring device, but it is not yet developed or ready for market and, as a result, ZMS has achieved no revenues to date. Its inactive subsidiaries include Zynex NeuroDiagnostics, Inc. (“ZND,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation), Zynex Billing and Consulting, LLC (“ZBC,” an 80% owned Colorado limited liability company) and Pharmazy, Inc. (“Pharmazy”), which was incorporated in June 2015 as a wholly-owned Colorado corporation. The Company’s compound pharmacy operated as a division of ZMI dba as Pharmazy through January 2016.

The following information should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in this Report.

LIQUIDITY

During 2013-2015, the Company suffered operating losses which caused a lack of liquidity and a substantial working capital deficit. This raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During 2016, the Company generated net income during Q3 and Q4 and combined with the profitability in 2017, the Company has recorded six consecutive profitable quarters, paid off its line of credit with Triumph Healthcare Finance, a division of TBK Bank, SSB, formerly known as Triumph Community Bank, (“Triumph”) (Note 9) and generated cash reserves and positive working capital.

As a result, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern, as of December 31, 2017, management evaluated whether there are conditions and events that raise doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and concluded there is not significant doubt. The Company is currently able to meet its obligations as they become due within one year. Management’s evaluation is based only on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable as of the date of these financial statements.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Net revenue increased 76% in 2017 to $23.4 million from $13.3 million in 2016. The increase in net revenue resulted in net income of $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $69,000 in 2016.

We generated cash flows from operating activities of $8.3 million during year ended December 31, 2017. Increased profitability and the related cash flows allowed us to pay off our credit facility with Triumph on June 30, 2017 and produced working capital at December 31, 2017 of $4.4 million compared to a ($4.3 million) deficit as of December 31, 2016.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company raised approximately $1.0 million of gross proceeds in a private placement completed through Newbridge Securities Corporation. Those funds were used to increase available inventory through the production of devices and acquisition of supplies and a portion was paid to Triumph.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations in comparative format (in thousands).

The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations reflected as a percentage of total revenue.

Net Revenue

Net revenues are comprised of product device and product supply sales, reduced by estimated Third-party Payors reimbursement deductions and an allowance for uncollectible amounts, if needed. The reserve for billing allowance adjustments and allowance for uncollectible accounts are adjusted on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the processing of Third-party Payor insurance claims and other customer collection history. Product device revenue is primarily comprised of our transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (“TENS”) products and also includes our cervical traction, lumbar support and hot/cold therapy products. Supply revenue includes consumable supplies related primarily to our TENS products.

We also sell consumable supplies for all patients using our electrotherapy products, consisting primarily of surface electrodes and batteries. Revenue for the electrotherapy products is reported net, after adjustments for estimated insurance company reimbursement deductions and estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts. The deductions are known throughout the health care industry as “billing adjustments” whereby the healthcare insurers unilaterally reduce the amount they reimburse for our products as compared to the sales prices charged by us. The deductions from gross revenue also take into account the estimated denials, net of resubmitted billings of claims for products placed with patients which may affect collectability. See our Significant Accounting Policies in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more complete explanation of our revenue recognition policies.

We continually pursue improvements to our processes of billing insurance providers. We review all claims which are initially denied or not received. As these situations are identified and resolved, the appropriate party is appropriately rebilled (resubmitted) or, for those claims not previously billed, billed.

We frequently receive, and expect to continue to receive, refund requests from insurance providers relating to specific patients and dates of service. Billing and reimbursement disputes are very common in our industry. These requests are sometimes related to a few patients and other times include a significant number of refund claims in a single request. We review and evaluate these requests and determine if any refund is appropriate. We also review claims where we are rebilling or pursuing additional reimbursement from that insurance provider. We frequently have significant offsets against such refund requests which may result in amounts that are due to us in excess of the amounts of refunds requested by the insurance providers. Therefore, at the time of receipt of such refund requests we are generally unable to determine if a refund request is valid.

As of December 31, 2017, we believe we have an adequate allowance for billing adjustments relating to known insurance disputes and refund requests. However, no assurances can be given with respect to such estimates of reimbursements and offsets or the ultimate outcome of any refund requests.

Net revenue increased $10.1 million or 76% to $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The growth in net revenue is primarily related to an increased customer base which drove higher sales of consumable supplies and improvements in our billing and collection procedures.

Product Device Revenue

Product device revenue is related to the purchase of our products. Product device revenue decreased $0.2 million or 3% to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in product device revenue is primarily related to fewer orders in 2017, partially offset by improvements in our billing and collection procedures.

Product Supplies Revenue

Product supplies revenue is related to the sale of supplies, typically electrodes and batteries, for our products. Product supplies revenue increased $10.4 million or 243% to $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in product supplies revenue is primarily related to an increased customer base from increased sales in 2016 and improvements in our billing and collection procedures.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Revenue –Product and Supply

Cost of Revenue –product and supply consist primarily of product and supply costs, operations labor and overhead, shipping and depreciation. Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, increased 37% to $4.8 million from $3.5 million, respectively. The increase in cost of revenue is primarily due to the increase in product supply orders. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue –product and supply decreased to 21% for the year ended December 31, 2017 from 26% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the increase in revenue during the period.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee related costs, including commissions and other direct costs associated with these personnel including facilities and travel expenses and professional fees, depreciation and amortization. Selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 6% to $9.7 million from $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense is primarily due to incentive compensation and stock compensation expense related to warrants issued. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 42% for the year ended December 31, 2017 from 69% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease as a percentage of revenue is due to the increase in revenue during the period which more than offset the aforementioned slight increase in expenses. 

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense is composed primarily of interest expense and debt issuance costs. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, other expense increased to $1.5 million from $0.6 million, respectively. The increase during the period is related to amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount related the private placement completed in during the first quarter of 2017 plus the increase in value of the common shares related to the private placement from the inception of the note and the date the shares were issued to the noteholders which is recorded as additional interest expense of approximately $0.7 million.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

As of December 31, 2017, we had working capital of $4.4 million, compared to a deficit as of December 31, 2016 of $4.3 million. The increase in working capital is primarily due to the profitability during 2017. We generated $8.3 million in positive operating cash flows during 2017 and expect to generate positive cash flows from operations going forward.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically financed operations through cash flows from operations, debt and equity transactions.  As of December 31, 2017, our principal source of liquidity was $5.6 million in cash and $2.2 million in accounts receivables, net of allowances. The increased cash balance at December 31, 2017 was due cash flows from operations of $8.3 million during 2017 which was partially offset by using cash to retire our credit facility with Triumph and principal payments related to our private placement which was completed in the first quarter of 2017. The credit facility had been in default since 2014 and the payoff allows the company operating flexibility going forward.

Our anticipated uses of cash in the future will be to fund the expansion of our business, fund a company share buyback program and debt service related to the private placement which is scheduled to be fully retired in the first half of 2018. 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $8.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to the significant increase in profitability in 2017. 

Net cash used in investing activities for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  Cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is related to the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  The cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to the retirement of our credit facility with Triumph of $2.8 million, the company share buyback program and payments related to our promissory notes from our private placement, partially offset by the cash received in the private placement. The cash used for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily related to payments on our credit facility with Triumph.

We believe our cash and cash equivalents, together with anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital, debt extinguishment and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. In making this assessment, we considered the following:

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the future cash disbursements to which we are contractually committed as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands).

We lease office and operating facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Current facility leases include our new headquarters in Englewood, Colorado and a small warehouse/office in Denmark. Rent expense was $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

We signed a new headquarters facility lease in October 2017 with a term from January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2023 which includes an option to extend the lease for an additional two years through 2025. The lease rate increases annually as of November 1. We account for the effect of such escalating lease payments as if the lease rate were consistent over the lease term.

Our prior headquarters lease in Lone Tree, Colorado contained a termination clause which allowed the Company to terminate the lease at any time with three months written notice. We provided notice to the landlord at the end of October 2017.

The Company also leases certain equipment under capital leases which expire on various dates through 2018.  Imputed interest rates on the leases range from approximately 2% to 10%.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, ZEU entered into an annual rental agreement for a small office/warehouse space (approximately 250 square feet) in Denmark, which can be terminated within 120 days’ notice. Annual rent totals 45,000 Danish kroner (approximately $7,500 USD using 2017 year-end exchange rates).

Off – Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements or obligations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations.

Revenue Recognition , Allowance for Billing Adjustments and Collectability

The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four conditions are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists, 2) products have been delivered and title has transferred 3) the price of the products or services is fixed or determinable, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue for medical units and supplies when we receive notice that the product has been prescribed and delivered to the patient. The Company, prior to recognizing revenue verifies the patient’s insurance coverage or obtains the insurance company preauthorization, when required. Revenue from supplies is recognized upon delivery. Revenue from sales to distributors is recognized when the Company receives notice of receipt by the distributor. Revenue is reported net, after adjustments for estimated insurance company or governmental agency (collectively “Third-party Payors”) reimbursement deductions and, for wholesale customers and patient billings, an allowance for uncollectible accounts. The Third-party Payor reimbursement deductions are known throughout the health care industry as “billing adjustments” whereby the Third-party Payors unilaterally reduce the amount they reimburse for the Company’s products.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are derived, and the related receivables are due, from Third-party Payors. The nature of these receivables within the medical industry has typically resulted in long collection cycles. The process of determining what products will be reimbursed by Third-party Payors and the amounts that they will reimburse is complex and depends on conditions and procedures that vary among providers and may change from time to time. The Company maintains an allowance for billing adjustments and if necessary, an allowance for doubtful accounts. Billing adjustments result from reimbursements from Third-party Payors that are less than amounts claimed and from where the amount claimed by the Company exceeds the Third-party Payors usual, customary and reasonable reimbursement rate. The Company determines the amount of the allowance and adjusts it at the end of each reporting period, based on a number of factors, including historical rates of collection, the aging of the receivables, trends in the historical rates of collection and current relationships and experience with the Third-party Payors. If the rates of collection of past-due receivables recorded for previous fiscal periods changes, or if there is a trend in the rates of collection on those receivables, the Company may be required to change the rate at which it provides for additions to the allowance. A change in the rates of the Company’s collections can result from a number of factors, including experience and training of billing personnel, changes in the reimbursement policies or practices of Third-party Payors, or changes in industry rates of reimbursement. We believe we have a sufficient history of collection experience to estimate the net collectible amounts by payor. However, changes to the allowance for billing adjustments and uncollectible accounts, which are recorded as a reduction of revenue, have historically fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year.

Due to the nature of the medical industry and the reimbursement environment in which the Company operates, estimates are required to record net revenues and accounts receivable at their net realizable values (also known as net collectible value). Inherent in these estimates is the risk that they will have to be revised or updated as additional information becomes available. Specifically, the complexity of third-party billing arrangements and the uncertainty of reimbursement amounts for certain products or services from payors or unanticipated requirements to refund payments previously received may result in adjustments to amounts originally recorded. Due to continuing changes in the health care industry and third-party reimbursement, as well as changes in our billing practices to increase cash collections, it is possible that management’s estimates could change in the near term, which could have an impact on our results of operations and cash flows. Any differences between estimated settlements and final determinations are reflected as an increase or a reduction to revenue in the period when such final determinations are known.

The Company frequently receives refund requests from insurance providers relating to specific patients and dates of service. Billing and reimbursement disputes are very common in the Company’s industry. These requests are sometimes related to a limited number of patients or products; at other times, they include a significant number of refund claims in a single request. The Company reviews and evaluates these requests and determines if any refund request is appropriate. The Company also reviews these refund claims when it is rebilling or pursuing reimbursement from insurance providers. The Company frequently has significant offsets against such refund requests, and sometimes amounts are due to the Company in excess of the amounts of refunds requested by the insurance providers. Therefore, at the time of receipt of such refund requests, the Company is generally unable to determine if a refund request is valid and should be accrued. Such refunds are recorded when the amount is fixed and determinable, however management maintains an allowance for estimated future refunds which we believe is sufficient to cover future claims.

However, no assurances can be given with respect to such estimates of reimbursements and offsets or the ultimate outcome of any refund requests. In addition to the allowance for billing adjustments, the Company records an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable for wholesale (sales to distributors) sales and certain patient billings when necessary. Uncollectible accounts receivable are primarily a result of non-payment from patients who have been direct billed for co-payments or deductibles, lack of appropriate insurance coverage and disallowances of charges by Third-party Payors. If there is a change to a material insurance provider contract or policy, application by a provider, a decline in the economic condition of providers or a significant turnover of Company billing personnel resulting in diminished collection effectiveness, the estimate of the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable may not be adequate and may result in an increase in the future.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company believes its accounts receivable is reasonably stated at its net realizable / collectible value and has an adequate allowance for billing adjustments relating to all known insurance disputes and refund requests.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company believes its accounts receivable is reasonably stated at its net realizable / collectible value and has an adequate allowance for billing adjustments relating to all known insurance disputes and refund requests.

Deferred Insurance Reimbursement

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company collected $880,000 from a single insurance company for accounts receivable. The accounts receivable had been previously reduced to zero by the allowance for billing adjustments. Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the insurance company verbally communicated to the Company that this payment was made in error and requested it be refunded to the insurance company. The Company recorded this $880,000 insurance reimbursement as a deferred insurance liability. However, the Company is disputing the refund request and has initiated an internal review of the reimbursement to determine that the original sales arrangement was properly executed, the products had been delivered and title was transferred, the price of the products or services and the reimbursement rate is fixed and determinable, and the Company’s ultimate claim to the reimbursement is reasonably assured. The Company expects to record the appropriate amount as net revenue when such internal review is complete and the Company’s claim to the amount is reasonably assured. No further communication has been received from the insurance company regarding the payment or requested refund.

Inventory

Inventory, which primarily represents finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost (average) or market.

The Company monitors inventory for turnover and obsolescence and records losses for excess and obsolete inventory, as appropriate. The Company provides reserves for estimated excess and obsolete inventories equal to the difference between the costs of inventories on hand and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand. If future demand is less favorable than currently projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Finished goods at December 31, 2017 and 2016 includes products (finished goods, parts and supplies) held at the Company’s headquarters. During 2016 the Company ramped up the EZ Rx Prescribe program, whereby the NexWave electrotherapy device is sold by prescription and is shipped from the Company manufacturing facilities. During 2016 the EZ Rx Prescription program represented nearly 100% of orders. As a result, the Company is no longer holding substantial field inventory at different locations by healthcare or third party providers. Total gross inventories at December 31, 2017 was $0.4 million which was comprised of finished goods, work in process and parts and supplies as compared to December 31, 2016 of $0.1 million.

On December 31, 2017, the Company did not have open material inventory purchase commitments with vendors.

Stock -based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation through recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, which is measured based on the grant date fair value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. The stock-based compensation expenses are recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the requisite service period, which in the Company’s case is the same as the vesting period).  For awards subject to the achievement of performance metrics, stock-based compensation expense is recognized when it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be achieved.

Income Taxes

Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax asset will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. We consider future taxable income projections, historical results and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets. However, adjustments could be required in the future if we determine that the amount to be realized is less or greater than the amount that we recorded. Such adjustments, if any, could have a material impact on our results of our operations.

We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks, including changes to interest rates and inflation.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto, and the report there on of EKS&H, LLLP, are filed as part of this report starting on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

As previously reported on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2016, GHP Horwath, P.C. notified the Company that it had chosen to not stand for re-appointment. Subsequently, as reported on Form 8-K dated January 16, 2017, the Company appointed EKS&H, LLLP as its independent registered public accounting firm. During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and through the date of this report, there were no reportable events within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, except for the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as discussed further below.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.    We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period.

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.  Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, we are required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring.

Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

As a result of our assessment of internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, management had identified the following control deficiencies that represent material weaknesses that were remediated:

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, we completed our corrective action related to our segregation of duties. Our CFO and his staff have assumed all of the financial responsibility in the organization. We also completed the documentation of our internal control processes with our independent consulting firm. Although our newly appointed Board members were added subsequent to December 31, 2017, they will be involved in review of our 2017 year-end results and governance processes.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, our new Chief Financial Officer has assumed responsibility for all Company assets and control processes. The Company also retained an outside independent consulting firm which is updating our documentation of controls and performing testing as needed.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we hired a new Chief Financial Officer and implemented certain financial controls related to financial statement close and reporting process.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The following table and paragraphs that follow provide information concerning each of our directors and executive officers at February 22, 2018.

On January 10, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to increase the size of the Board of Directors from one to three members. Mr. Sandgaard will continue to serve as Chairman.

On January 10, 2018, Barry D. Michaels and Michael Cress were appointed to the Board of Directors and both will join the audit committee with Mr. Michael’s serving as the chairman of the audit committee.

Thomas Sandgaard, age 59, founded the Company in 1996 after a successful European-based career in the semiconductor, telecommunications and medical equipment industries with ITT, Siemens and Philips Telecom. Mr. Sandgaard has been our President, CEO and Chairman since 1996.  Prior to the appointments of Messrs. Michaels and Cress Mr. Sandgaard was and had been our only member of the board of directors. Mr. Sandgaard held middle and senior management positions in the areas of international sales and distribution, technology transfers, mergers and acquisitions and marketing. Mr. Sandgaard holds a degree in electronics engineering from University of Southern Denmark and an MBA from Copenhagen Business School. Mr. Sandgaard founded the Company’s business in 1996 and has been the president, CEO and chairman of the board since the business was founded. Mr. Sandgaard currently does not hold, and has not held in the past five years, directorships with any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of section 15(d) of such Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Mr. Sandgaard founded the Company in 1996 and has served as our CEO for our entire history. Mr. Sandgaard has tremendous knowledge of our products, industry and the history of our Company. Mr. Sandgaard provides the Company and Board with significant strategic vision and strong leadership.

Barry D. Michaels, age 68, is a retired senior executive with both general and financial management experience in emerging growth companies. Mr. Michaels has more than 35 years of financial and general management experience in the medical device and biotechnology industries with industry leaders including Medtronic, Johnson and Johnson, and Baxter Healthcare. Mr. Michaels served as Chief Financial Officer of three private and four publicly traded companies including Cardima, Inc., Lipid Sciences, Inc., ICN Biomedicals, Inc., IntraTherapeutics, Inc., VIA Medical, and Webster Laboratories. In addition he served as President of a Johnson and Johnson division and acting Chief Executive Officer of Lipid Sciences, Inc. He has raised nearly $800 million in capital within public and private market environments, has taken two companies public, and has led three private companies to favorable liquidity events. He has also served as an independent consultant to medical device and biotechnology companies since 1997 leveraging his strong mix of organizational, operational, and financial management skills to advise senior management and directors. During his tenure in executive management Mr. Michaels has added over 1,100 jobs to the economy and increased shareholder value by more than $2 billion. Mr. Michaels holds a BA in Audiology and an MBA in Finance from San Diego State University and is a graduate of the Executive Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, he has completed the UCLA Director’s Education Program certification exam and has served as Corporate Secretary to three publicly traded companies. Mr. Michaels has also been appointed Audit Committee Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee. Mr. Michaels qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

With his years of executive experience, Mr. Michaels brings to the board senior-level management experience with deep knowledge of the medical device industry. Mr. Michaels also served as CFO for a NASDAQ listed medical company and brings significant public company experience to the Board where he serves as Audit Committee Chair.

Michael Cress, age 60, currently serves as Chairman and Managing Partner of MD Cress Ventures, a national firm that owns, operates and advises companies within the healthcare sector.  Mr. Cress also serves as Chairman of Rainier Healthcare. Prior to MD Cress Ventures he served as the President and CEO of the Cornerstone Healthcare Group which owns and manages hospitals throughout the country.  Mr. Cress also served as Vice President of Business Development for Kindred Healthcare, a publicly traded healthcare company that owns and operates hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation, pharmacy and other segments of the healthcare continuum. He served as the CEO of Vencor Hospital of San Diego and was also an Adjunct Professor for the Masters of Healthcare Administration program at the University of Kansas. Mr. Cress currently serves on several not-for-profit boards including Rachel’s Challenge and is a co-founder and board member for The Neighborhood as well as serving on the boards or advisory boards of several companies, including Linley Capital, BankSNB, Rainier Hospice and Sleep Research.

Mr. Cress has extensive experience in the medical industry and brings not only board experience but also merger and acquisition and strategic planning experience to Zynex’s Board of Directors.

Daniel Moorhead, age 45, joined in June 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for all finance and accounting functions. Prior to joining Zynex, Mr. Moorhead was Chief Financial Officer of Evolving Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: EVOL) from January 2016 until May 2017, after having served as Vice President of Finance & Administration from December 2011 through December 2015 and in other financial management roles from 2002-2005 and 2008-2011. Mr. Moorhead is a CPA and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Northern Colorado.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Since our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB we are not subject to the corporate governance rules of listed companies. Accordingly we are not required to have independent board members or board committees. Nevertheless, our Board of Directors consists of two independent directors and our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, as described below.

Controlled Company Status

Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Sandgaard, beneficially owns approximately 53% of our outstanding common stock as of February 22, 2018. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq and NYSE MKT corporate governance standards. Although no assurances can be made that we currently qualify or will qualify to be listed on a national exchange or that we will seek to do so, if we were to be approved to be listed on an exchange we could seek to meet the corporate governance standards of such exchange using certain exemptions applicable to controlled companies.

Under the Nasdaq rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company”, and if we are listed on Nasdaq, although there can be no assurances that we could or would seek to be listed, we expect to utilize exemptions relating to certain Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, including:

The NYSE MKT has similar rules and exemptions with respect to controlled companies, which we expect to utilize if we are listed on the NYSE MKT, although there can be no assurances that we could or would seek to be listed. As a result of these exemptions, we anticipate that, if we are still a controlled company at the time that we apply to be listed on the Nasdaq or the NYSE MKT, our Nominating and Compensation Committees will not consist entirely of independent directors and that we will not be required to have an annual performance evaluation of the Nominating and Compensation Committees.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s accounting, auditing, and reporting practices. The Audit Committee meets with our independent registered public accounting firm at least annually to review the results of the annual audit and discuss the financial statements. The Committee will meet with our independent registered public accounting firm quarterly to discuss the results of the accountants’ quarterly reviews as well as quarterly results and quarterly earnings releases; recommends to the Board the registered public accounting firm to be retained; and receives and considers the accountants’ comments as to internal controls and procedures in connection with audit and financial controls. The Audit Committee reviews all financial reports prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and reviews all financial press releases prior to release. The specific responsibilities in carrying out the Audit Committee’s oversight role are set forth in the Audit Committee’s Charter, a copy of which is posted on the Company’s website, www.zynex.com, under "Investors — Corporate Governance." The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Michaels and Cress, each of whom are independent directors as required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), Section 10A(m)(3). The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Michaels is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 Director Nominations by Shareholders

We do not have procedures by which a security holder may recommend director nominees to our Board of Directors.

The Company Has Never Held A Stockholders’ Meeting and Has No Plans To Do So

We have never held a stockholders’ meeting and do not have plans to hold a meeting in 2018 unless we are required to hold such a meeting if we become listed on the Nasdaq or the NYSE MKT.

Code of Ethics

The Board has adopted a written code of ethics for each employee, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The code also applies to our agents and representatives, sales representatives and consultants. The code of ethics is posted on our website at www.zynex.com. If we make certain amendments to or waivers of our code of ethics, we intend to satisfy the SEC disclosure requirements by promptly posting the amendment or waiver on our website.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

During the past ten years, none of the persons serving as executive officers and/or directors of the Company has been the subject matter of any of the following legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K including:  (a) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (b) any criminal convictions; (c) any order, judgment, or decree permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; (d) any finding by a court, the SEC or the CFTC to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud; or (e) any sanction or order of any self-regulatory organization or registered entity or equivalent exchange, association or entity.  Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental authorities against any director or executive officer.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance

As a filer under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% holders are not subject to the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation Objectives and Practices

We designed our executive officer compensation program to attract, motivate and retain key executives who drive our success. We strive to have pay reflect our performance and align with the interests of long-term stockholders, which we achieve with compensation that:

The Company evaluates both performance and compensation to ensure the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and compensation provided to key employee’s remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of other companies our size.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Our compensation for senior executive officers may consist of the following elements:  base salary; incentive compensation; long-term equity compensation in the form of stock options and restricted stock; and employee benefits that are generally available to all our employees.

Base Salary

The Company provides named executive officers and other employees with base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. It is our policy to set base salary levels taking into account a number of factors, such as annual revenue, the nature of our business, the structure of other companies’ compensation programs and the availability of compensation information. When setting base salary levels, in a manner consistent with the objectives outlined above, the Company considers our performance, the individual’s breadth of knowledge and performance and levels of responsibility.

Incentive Compensation

Our performance-based incentive compensation program is designed to compensate executives when financial performance goals are achieved. Executives have the opportunity to earn incentive compensation on an annual basis. Mr. Moorhead has an annual incentive compensation target of $100,000 for which the performance objectives are currently in the process of being finalized.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation – Equity Compensation

Our executive officers are eligible for stock awards. We believe that stock awards give executives a significant, long-term interest in our success, help retain key executives in a competitive market, and align executive interests with stockholder interests and long-term performance of the Company. We have granted options as well as restricted stock under our 2017 Stock Incentive Plan and predecessor plans. Stock awards also provide each individual with an added incentive to manage the Company from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the business. Moreover, the long-term vesting schedule (which is generally four years for employees and three years for non-employee directors, although this may vary at the discretion of the Company) encourages a long-term commitment to the Company by our executive officers and other participants.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows information concerning compensation of our named executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

Named Executive Officer Employment Arrangements and Option Awards

On June 5, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Moorhead which generally provides that in the event the Company terminates his employment, other than for cause, death or disability, he will be paid severance pay. The amount of his severance is nine months of base salary if terminated before the one year anniversary of his hire date or twelve months of severance if terminated on or subsequent to the one year anniversary of his hire date. In exchange for severance, Mr. Moorhead is required to execute a full release of all employment claims with the Company and agree to not compete with us and to not solicit our employees for the period of time during which severance is paid. The employment agreement does not change the "at will" nature of Mr. Moorhead’s employment with the Company. Either the Company or the executive may terminate his employment at any time.

During January 2016, Mr. Sandgaard elected to receive a stock option to purchase 203,517 shares of our common stock at a strike price of $0.14 per share as payment of deferred salary in the amount of $14,250 due to Mr. Sandgaard. In January 12, 2016, Mr. Hartberger was granted 200,000 options with a strike price of $0.39. The grant was pursuant to the terms of his initial employment arrangement and has expired as a result of his termination of employment.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options for each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2017:

Mr. Moorhead was awarded the following restricted stock awards grants during 2017, which vest at a rate of 25% per year, commencing on the grant date:

Director Compensation

During the 2017 fiscal year, the Company’s Chairman was also an employee. Therefore, during 2017 the Company did not provide compensation to any non - employee person serving on its Board of Directors. 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The following table contains certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 22, 2018 by (i) each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors at February 22, 2018, (iii) our executive officers as of February 22, 2018, and (iv) all directors and executive officers named as a group. The information provided regarding beneficial ownership of the principal stockholders is based on publicly available filings and, in the absence of such filings, on the shares held of record by such persons. The address of each person listed in the table is 9555 Maroon Circle, Englewood, CO 80112.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 regarding shares of common stock available for issuance under our equity incentive plans (in thousands except exercise price).

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

We employ Mr. Sandgaard’s sons. The following table sets forth the compensation for services rendered in 2017 and 2016:

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The following presents fees for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm (EKS&H, LLLP & GHP Horwath, P.C.) for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

As discussed above and in the Forms 8-K reporting events of December 31, 2017 and January 16, 2017, GHP Horwath, P.C. served as our independent registered public accounting firm from December 2006 to December 2016.

EKS&H, LLLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm beginning January 2017.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Exhibits:

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Zynex, Inc. and subsidiaries

Lone Tree, Colorado

OPINION ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Zynex, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders' equity for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

BASIS FOR OPINION

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

ZYNEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ZYNEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

* There is no difference between net income and comprehensive income.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ZYNEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ZYNEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ZYNEX, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

(1) ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT’S PLANS

Organization

Zynex, Inc. (a Nevada corporation) has its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado.  We operate in one primary business segment, Electrotherapy and Pain Management Products. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s only active subsidiary is Zynex Medical, Inc. (“ZMI,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) through which the Company conducts most of its operations. One other subsidiary, Zynex Europe, ApS (“ZEU,” a wholly-owned Denmark corporation), did not generate material revenues during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 from international sales and marketing. Zynex Monitoring Solutions, Inc. (“ZMS,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation) is developing a blood volume monitoring device, but it is not yet developed or ready for market and, as a result, ZMS has achieved no revenues to date. Its inactive subsidiaries include Zynex NeuroDiagnostics, Inc. (“ZND,” a wholly-owned Colorado corporation), Zynex Billing and Consulting, LLC (“ZBC,” an 80% owned Colorado limited liability company) and Pharmazy, Inc. (“Pharmazy”), which was incorporated in June 2015 as a wholly-owned Colorado corporation. The Company’s compound pharmacy operated as a division of ZMI dba as Pharmazy through January 2016.

The term “the Company” refers to Zynex, Inc. and its active and inactive subsidiaries.

Nature of Business

ZMI designs, manufactures and markets U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared medical devices that treat chronic and acute pain, as well as activate and exercise muscles for rehabilitative purposes with electrical stimulation. ZEU was formed in 2012 to conduct international sales and marketing for Company products. ZEU produced minimal revenues during 2017 and 2016.

ZMS was formed to develop and market medical devices for non-invasive cardiac monitoring, the products of which are under development. The Company is currently developing a blood volume monitoring device. ZMS produced no revenues during 2017 or 2016.

In 2017 and 2016, the Company generated substantially all of its revenue in North America from sales of its products and supplies to patients, dealers and health care providers.

Liquidity

During 2013-2015, the Company suffered operating losses which caused a lack of liquidity and a substantial working capital deficit. This raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During 2016, the Company generated net income during Q3 and Q4 and combined with the profitability in 2017, the Company has recorded six consecutive profitable quarters, paid off its line of credit with Triumph Healthcare Finance, a division of TBK Bank, SSB, formerly known as Triumph Community Bank, (“Triumph”) (Note 9) and generated cash reserves and positive working capital.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern, as of December 31, 2017, management evaluated whether there are conditions and events that raise doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and concluded there is not significant doubt. The Company is currently able to meet its obligations as they become due within one year from the date the Company releases its financial statements. Management’s evaluation is based only on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable as of the date of these financial statements.

(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Zynex, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Non-controlling Interest

Non-controlling interest in the equity of a subsidiary is accounted for and reported as stockholders’ equity (deficit). Non-controlling interest represents the 20% ownership in the Company’s majority-owned (but currently inactive) subsidiary, ZBC.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2016 financial statements to conform to the consolidated 2017 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings or cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant management estimates used in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are associated with the allowance for billing adjustments and uncollectible accounts receivable, the reserve for obsolete, excess and damaged inventory, the life of its rented equipment, valuation of stock-based compensation, and valuation of long-lived assets and realizability of deferred tax assets.

Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Billing Adjustments and Collectability

The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four conditions are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists, 2) products have been delivered and title has transferred 3) the price of the products or services is fixed or determinable, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue for medical units and supplies when we receive notice that the product has been prescribed and delivered to the patient. The Company, prior to recognizing revenue verifies the patient’s insurance coverage or obtains the insurance company preauthorization, when required. Revenue from supplies is recognized upon delivery. Revenue from sales to distributors is recognized when the Company receives notice of receipt by the distributor. Revenue is reported net, after adjustments for estimated insurance company or governmental agency (collectively “Third-party Payors”) reimbursement deductions and, for wholesale customers and patient billings, an allowance for uncollectible accounts. The Third-party Payor reimbursement deductions are known throughout the health care industry as “billing adjustments” whereby the Third-party Payors unilaterally reduce the amount they reimburse for the Company’s products.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are derived, and the related receivables are due, from Third-party Payors. The nature of these receivables within the medical industry has typically resulted in long collection cycles. The process of determining what products will be reimbursed by Third-party Payors and the amounts that they will reimburse is complex and depends on conditions and procedures that vary among providers and may change from time to time. The Company maintains an allowance for billing adjustments and if necessary, an allowance for doubtful accounts. Billing adjustments result from reimbursements from Third-party Payors that are less than amounts claimed and from where the amount claimed by the Company exceeds the Third-party Payors usual, customary and reasonable reimbursement rate. The Company determines the amount of the allowance and adjusts it at the end of each reporting period, based on a number of factors, including historical rates of collection, the aging of the receivables, trends in the historical rates of collection and current relationships and experience with the Third-party Payors. If the rates of collection of past-due receivables recorded for previous fiscal periods changes, or if there is a trend in the rates of collection on those receivables, the Company may be required to change the rate at which it provides for additions to the allowance. A change in the rates of the Company’s collections can result from a number of factors, including experience and training of billing personnel, changes in the reimbursement policies or practices of Third-party Payors, or changes in industry rates of reimbursement. We believe we have a sufficient history of collection experience to estimate the net collectible amounts by payor. However, changes to the allowance for billing adjustments and uncollectible accounts, which are recorded as a reduction of revenue, have historically fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year.

Due to the nature of the medical industry and the reimbursement environment in which the Company operates, estimates are required to record net revenues and accounts receivable at their net realizable values (also known as net collectible value). Inherent in these estimates is the risk that they will have to be revised or updated as additional information becomes available. Specifically, the complexity of third-party billing arrangements and the uncertainty of reimbursement amounts for certain products or services from payors or unanticipated requirements to refund payments previously received may result in adjustments to amounts originally recorded. Due to continuing changes in the health care industry and third-party reimbursement, as well as changes in our billing practices to increase cash collections, it is possible that management’s estimates could change in the near term, which could have an impact on our results of operations and cash flows. Any differences between estimated settlements and final determinations are reflected as an increase or a reduction to revenue in the period when such final determinations are known.

The Company frequently receives refund requests from insurance providers relating to specific patients and dates of service. Billing and reimbursement disputes are very common in the Company’s industry. These requests are sometimes related to a limited number of patients or products; at other times, they include a significant number of refund claims in a single request. The Company reviews and evaluates these requests and determines if any refund request is appropriate. The Company also reviews these refund claims when it is rebilling or pursuing reimbursement from insurance providers. The Company frequently has offsets against such refund requests, and sometimes amounts are due to the Company in excess of the amounts of refunds requested by the insurance providers. Therefore, at the time of receipt of such refund requests, the Company is generally unable to determine if a refund request is valid. The Company maintains an allowance for estimated future refunds which management believes is sufficient to cover future requests for refunds.

However, no assurances can be given with respect to such estimates of reimbursements and offsets or the ultimate outcome of any refund requests. In addition to the allowance for billing adjustments, the Company records an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable for wholesale (sales to distributors) sales and certain patient billings when necessary. Uncollectible accounts receivable are primarily a result of non-payment from patients who have been direct billed for co-payments or deductibles, lack of appropriate insurance coverage and disallowances of charges by Third-party Payors. If there is a change to a material insurance provider contract or policy, application by a provider, a decline in the economic condition of providers or a significant turnover of Company billing personnel resulting in diminished collection effectiveness, the estimate of the allowance for billing adjustments and uncollectible accounts receivable may not be adequate and may result in an increase in the future.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company believes its accounts receivable is reasonably stated at its net realizable / collectible value and has an adequate allowance for billing adjustments including all known and estimated insurance disputes and refund requests.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2017, include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and income taxes, for which current carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Financial instruments at December 31, 2017, also include the notes payable related to our private placement and capitalized leases, the carrying value of which approximates fair value because the interest rates on the outstanding borrowings are at rates that approximate market rates for borrowings with similar terms and average maturities.

Deferred Insurance Reimbursement

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company collected $880,000 from a single insurance company for accounts receivable. The accounts receivable had been previously reduced to zero by the allowance for billing adjustments. Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the insurance company verbally communicated to the Company that this payment was made in error and requested it be refunded to the insurance company. The Company recorded this $880,000 insurance reimbursement as a deferred insurance liability. However, the Company is disputing the refund request and has initiated an internal review of the reimbursement to determine that the original sales arrangement was properly executed, the products had been delivered and title was transferred, the price of the products or services and the reimbursement rate is fixed and determinable, and the Company’s ultimate claim to the reimbursement is reasonably assured. The Company expects to record the appropriate amount as net revenue when such internal review is complete and the Company’s claim to the amount is reasonably assured. No further communication has been received from the insurance company regarding the payment or requested refund.

Inventory

Inventory, which primarily represents finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost (average) or market.

The Company monitors inventory for turnover and obsolescence and records losses for excess and obsolete inventory, as appropriate. The Company provides reserves for estimated excess and obsolete inventories equal to the difference between the costs of inventories on hand and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand. If future demand is less favorable than currently projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Finished goods at December 31, 2017 and 2016 includes products (finished goods, parts and supplies) held at the Company’s headquarters. During 2016, the Company ramped up the EZ Rx Prescribe program, whereby the NexWave electrotherapy device is sold by prescription and is shipped from the Company manufacturing facilities. On December 31, 2017, the Company did not have open material inventory purchase commitments with vendors. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company estimates uncollectible amounts, when applicable, based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, the age of customer receivable balances, the customer’s financial condition and current economic trends.

Segment Information 

We define operating segments as components of our enterprise for which separate financial information is reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision-makers to evaluate performance and to make operating decisions. We have identified our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as our chief operating decision-makers (“CODM”).

We currently operate our business as one operating segment which includes two revenue types:  Product devices and Product supplies. 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. The Company removes the cost and the related accumulated depreciation from the accounts of assets sold or retired, and the resulting net gains or losses are included in the results of operations. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the useful life of the asset ranging from three to seven years.

Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation through recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, which is measured based on the grant date fair value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. The stock-based compensation expenses are recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the requisite service period, which in the Company’s case is the same as the vesting period).  For awards subject to the achievement of performance metrics, stock-based compensation expense is recognized when it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be achieved.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $0.1 million.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. Research and development expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Research and development costs as well as salaries related to research and development are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Income Taxes

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

 We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation (the “Tax Act”), which significantly revises the ongoing U.S. corporate income tax law by lowering the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system, imposing a one-time tax on foreign unremitted earnings and setting limitations on deductibility of certain costs, among other things.

The Company is subject to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 740-10, Income Taxes, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted. Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the recently enacted Tax Act, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118 requires that the Company include in its financial statements the reasonable estimate of the impact of the Tax Act on earnings to the extent such estimate has been determined.

Pursuant to the SAB118, the Company is allowed a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. The final impact on the Company from the Tax Act’s transition tax legislation may differ from the aforementioned estimates due to the complexity of calculating and supporting with primary evidence such U.S. tax attributes such as accumulated foreign earnings and profits, foreign tax paid, and other tax components involved in foreign tax credit calculations for prior years back to 1998. Such differences could be material, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act, future legislative action to address questions that arise because of the Tax Act, changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the Tax Act, or any updates or changes to estimates the Company has utilized to calculate the transition tax's reasonable estimate. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the U.S. Tax Act and will record any resulting tax adjustments during 2018.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were insignificant. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”), which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, and earlier adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren't measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace today's "incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities will be required to record allowances rather than reduce the carrying amount, as they do today under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). These amendments require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases currently classified as operating leases under ASC 840 “Leases”. These amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. Entities are required to apply the amendments at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2019. While we continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, we expect our operating leases, as disclosed in Note 11 — Commitments and Contingencies, will be subject to the new standard. We will recognize right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets upon adoption, which will increase our total assets and liabilities.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) which amended revenue recognition guidance to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires expanded disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about customer contracts, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract.  This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, using one of two prescribed retrospective methods. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. We finalized our analysis and the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers Other than Inventory (ASU 2016-16), which requires companies to recognize the income-tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset has been sold to an outside party. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. A cumulative-effect adjustment will capture the write-off of income tax consequences deferred from past intra-entity transfers involving assets other than inventory, new deferred tax assets, and other liabilities for amounts not currently recognized under U.S. GAAP. Based on transactions up to December 31, 2017, we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires companies to include amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the retrospective transition approach for all periods presented. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis and do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04), which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2020 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Management has evaluated other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe that any of these pronouncements will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

(3)   BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS

The components of certain balance sheet line items are as follows (in thousands):

Depreciation expense recorded was $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Included in computer and office & manufacturing equipment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are assets under capital lease. Depreciation expense related to assets under capital leases was $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

During the year ending December 31, 2017 Rental inventory was written off and going forward, units will be fully expensed when they leave the facility on the initial purchase. Depreciation expense related to rental inventory was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(4)  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

The software and development costs are amortized over 3 years. Amortization expense totaled $34,000 and $40,000 for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(5) EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the number of dilutive potential common share equivalents during the period, calculated using the treasury-stock method for outstanding stock options.

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2017, 0.3 million shares of common stock were excluded from the dilutive stock calculation because their exercise prices were greater than the average fair value of our common stock for the period.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, 2.2 million shares of common stock were excluded from the dilutive stock calculation because their exercise prices were greater than the average fair value of our common stock for the period.

Prior to their issuance on August 28, 2017, the dilutive securities calculation included 776,250 shares of common stock issuable related to the private placement which was completed on February 28, 2017. The common shares were issuable six months from the closing of the shareholder notes. 

(6)  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

In June 2017, our stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Stock Plan”) with a maximum of 5,000,000 shares reserved for issuance.  Awards permitted under the 2017 Stock Plan include:  Stock Options and Restricted Stock.  Awards issued under the 2017 Stock Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  As applicable, awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant and generally vest over four years.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, 0.4 million awards have been granted under the 2017 Stock Plan. At December 31, 2017, 0.4 million remain Issued and outstanding.

During the years ended December 2017 and 2016, the Company awarded 15,000 and 0 shares of restricted stock to management, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, no shares of restricted stock vested or were forfeited.

The Company previously reserved 3,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under its 2005 Stock Option Plan (the “2005 Stock Plan”). The 2005 Stock Plan expired as of December 31, 2014. Vesting provisions of the expired plan were to be determined by the Board of Directors. All stock options under the 2005 Stock Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. Options granted in 2015, 2016 and through May 2017 prior to the approval of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan were approved by and certified by the board of directors on September 6, 2017 under the existing 2005 stock option plan.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock and warrants of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company uses the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option grants, using the following assumptions during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

The weighted average expected term of stock options represents the period of time that the stock options granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical exercise trends. The weighted average expected volatility is based on the historical price volatility of the Company’s common stock. The weighted average risk-free interest rate represents the U.S. Treasury bill rate for the expected term of the related stock options. The dividend yield represents the Company’s anticipated cash dividend over the expected term of the stock options. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

A summary of activity under the 2005 and 2017 Stock Plans for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

The following is a summary of stock options outstanding under the plans as of December 31, 2017:

A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested share awards as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $0.70, and $0.32 respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, there were approximately $0.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options and restricted stock. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.3 years.

The total intrinsic value of stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.1 million and $0, respectively. The total fair value of stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Cash received from stock option exercises was $39,000 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

(7) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Treasury Stock

Beginning on December 6, 2017, and continuing through December 5, 2018, we have the ability through our stock purchase program to re-purchase our common stock at prevailing market prices either in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions up to $2.0 million.  The size and timing of such purchases, if any, was based on market and business conditions as well as other factors.  We are not obligated to purchase any shares.

From the inception of the plan through December 31, 2017, we purchased 86,837 shares of our common stock for $0.2 million or an average price of $2.86 per share.

Warrants

In October 2017, 150,000 common stock warrants were issued in exchange for professional services.

In connection with the agreement entered into on March 28, 2016, with Triumph Bank, the Lender suspended this monthly payment requirement for February, March and April of 2016 up to an aggregate cap of $250,000, in exchange for the issuance of a common stock warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

A summary of stock warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented below: