Product Solutions: Mobility

Providers looking to sustain and hopefully grow their funded and cash revenues must stock a broad variety of mobility devices. We look at some of the latest.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Jan 01, 2018

The mobility products can be tricky to navigate as the industry seems to be split into two worlds: funded and retail. Luckily, for HME providers this can lead consumers to their stores in more ways than one.

The global wheelchair market is expected to reach $6.1 billion in 2022, according to market research and consulting firm Lucintel, because of a growing elderly population, increased spinal cord injuries and continuing wheelchair needs from other mobility patient groups. Lucintel predicts that power chairs will see the most of the growth, which is great for providers as standard power scooters and chairs are sold easily in their stores.

Medicare makes the process of funding mobility difficult and lengthy leading some consumers to fund their own independence. For instance, geriatric patients have largely accepted the fact Medicare won’t pay for mobility products beyond bottom-rung options, which means they are more willing to pay out of pocket for what they want, sometimes with the help of their family.

At the same time, CRT patient needs continue to grow and are require highly specified solutions. Manufacturers in that segment of the mobility market continues to expand in terms of the types of products that they offer to serve the needs of pediatric to adult patients.

Ultimately, this means that providers looking to sustain and hopefully grow their funded and cash revenues must stock a broad variety of mobility devices, as well as accessories for users who might need to enhance their funded or cash product. Display multiple chairs around your store so that you can easily provide comparisons for customers. Above all, train your staff to be knowledgeable experts on all the products offered.

Let’s take a look at some of the most recent items on the market:

4-wheel scooter with maneuverability of 3-wheels

Jazzy Zero Turn

• Tight, 38 in. turning radius
• Independent CTS suspension, LED marker lights, extended-range batteries
• Under-seat storage, and feather-touch disassembly

Pride Mobility Products Corp.
(800) 800-8586
www.pridemobility.com

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Complex rehab power chair

4Front

• Features automotive-grade suspension
• Advanced drive tracking provides predictable handling indoors and out
• Safe seat elevation provides up to 10 inches of lift while driving

Quantum Rehab
(866) 800-2002
www.quantumrehab.com

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Toilet/bathing chair comes in four sizes

Flamingo

• Accommodates clients from childhood through young adulthood
• Seat tilts, allowing for idea seating and posture
• Accessories include head support, push brace and swing-away side

Convaid | R82
(844) US MOBILITY
www.convaid.com

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Travel-friendly portable bath seat

Splashy Bath Seat

• Five-point harness for three-point pelvic support
• Four detachable bumpers to lend extra support
• Warm-touch foam, reclining seat and portable

National Seating & Mobility/AccessNSM
(615) 595-1115
nsm-seating.com

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Travel scooter for on-the-go lifestyles

ZooMe Auto-Flex

• Ultra-lightweight, compact design
• Single Push button folding and unfolding with wireless key fob
• No need to assemble or disassemble

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare
(877) 224-0946
www.drivemedical.com

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Compact-folding pediatric wheelchair

R82 Cricket

• Fixed tilt lightweight and compact-folding wheelchair
• Available in two sizes, developed with aesthetics and comfort in mind
• Features swing-away, height, depth and angle-adjustable footplate

R82
(800) 336-7684
www.r82.com

This article originally appeared in the January 2018 issue of HME Business.