(9)   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

Zynex, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan

In June 2017, our stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Stock Plan”) with a maximum of 5.5 million 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. The 2017 Stock Plan mandates a maximum award term of 10 years and stipulates that stock options be granted with prices not less than fair market value on the date of grant. Stock option awards generally vest over four years. Restricted stock awards typically vest quarterly over three years for grants issued to members of our Board of Directors and quarterly or annually over two to four years for grants issued to employees. For stock option awards, all

awards granted under the 2017 Stock Plan are stock-settled with common stock issued upon exercise. For restricted stock awards, shares are issued to the recipient upon grant with a restrictive legend and are not included in the calculation of outstanding shares until vesting occurs. At December 31, 2024, there were 3.2 million shares available for future grants under the 2017 Stock Plan.

Zynex, Inc. 2005 Stock Option Plan

The 2005 Stock Option 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 and certified by the Board of Directors on September 6, 2017 under the existing 2005 Stock Plan.

​

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had the following stock options outstanding and exercisable:

​

​

The Company received $0.1 million cash proceeds related to option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company received cash proceeds of $0.1 million related to option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2023.

During both years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, no stock option awards were granted under the 2017 Stock Plan.

​

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expenses recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income (in thousands):

​

​

The excess tax benefit associated with our stock-based compensation plans for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was minimal in both periods.

A combined summary of stock option activity for all plans for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:

​

​

​

​

During the year ended December 31, 2024 there was no unvested stock option activitity. A summary of our unvested stock options as of December 31, 2023 and related activity is presented below:

​

​

A summary of restricted stock award activity under the 2017 Stock Plan for the years ended December 2024 and 2023 are presented below:

​

​

The fair market value of restricted shares for share-based compensation expensing is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting on the Restricted Stock Awards typically occurs quarterly over three years for the Board of Directors and quarterly or annually over two to four years for employees. As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $4.0 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 2.4 years.

The total intrinsic value of stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $0.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $2.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively.