Mobility
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:
TrackMaster
TrackMaster MK-1X
Power Chair Traverses Indoor and Outdoor Terrains
An all-terrain power
chair that can be used
indoors, outdoors
in snow, sand and
rougher terrains, and
on public transportation,
the TrackMaster MK-1X model features
the same body as
the MK-1 with slightly
larger tracks that help dig into soft ground. Both models help the user to
traverse Irregular surfaces, curbs, hills, sand, snow, dirt, grass and mud, as
well as supermarkets, city sidewalks and the mall.
Pride Mobility Products
Jazzy Air
Retail Power Chair Adds Elevation to Boost Users' Social Experience
The Jazzy Air breaks the retail power
chair mold by featuring patent-pending
technology that provides 10” of seat
elevation, at driving speeds up to 3.5
MPH. With power base stabilization for
enhanced safety, the Jazzy Air elevates
environmental access and social interaction
at the equivalent of standing
height, to improve social experience.
The Jazzy Air has a non-elevated top
speed of 4.1 mph, Active-Trac suspension,
integrated LED lighting and ultracomfort
seating, all in a compact 19”
turning radius.
Pride Mobility Products
Jazzy Air
The Jazzy Air features 10 in. of seat elevation while driving to provide enhanced environmental access and social interaction. A one-touch “Air” button, allows driving up to 3.5 mph fully elevated, with added stability technology. The scooter also features a top speed of 4.1 mph, Active-Trac suspension, integrated LED lighting and ultra-comfort seating.