When you are looking for something that will give you everything from comfort to mobility, then you have found it here. It’s comfortable design is made to be gentle and easy on your joints and muscles. This allows you to get around without feeling uncomfortable. The seat features four inch thick foam for extra comfort and support. It also has inner springs which help you from feeling all of the bumps that can be irritating.

When you purchase a Hoveround you may be able to get your insurance company to pay most of the cost for you. They will work with your doctor to get the Hoveround paid for by your insurance so that you won’t have to come up with the money out of your own pocket. They even submit all of the paperwork for you for you, so that you don’t have to worry about getting it filled out yourself. If you are sick of an uncomfortable wheelchair that leaves you feeling as if it’s not even worth the hassle of getting out of bed to get in that wheelchair, then you will definitely want to get one of these. It will change your whole life by giving you back your freedom.

Hoveround Electric Wheelchairs

Hoveround Corporation, founded in April 1992, is one of the leading Mobility device companies in the U.S. Hoveround designs, manufactures, sells, and services personal mobility vehicles like electric and manual wheelchairs, electric scooters and electric lifts. The company operates at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which has received the ISO 9001 certification for design, manufacturing procedures and distribution.

Hoveround supplies mobility devices directly to customers, insurers and other public and private entities. The company handles every aspect of the client’s mobility needs, right from evaluation to prescription and provider approval, delivery, training and service. The company employs therapists, nurses, rehab technology suppliers and assisting technology practitioners to cater to all needs of the customers. The most popular of Hoveround’s products are the highly maneuverable MP4 and the powerful Teknique XHD, which can carry up to 500 pounds.

Pride Electric Wheelchair

Pride Mobility is a leading provider of mobility equipment. Pride
Mobility is well known for its Pride and Jazzy lines of electric
wheelchairs, which are the most popular electric wheelchairs on the
market.

Pride Mobility Scooters include the Sundancer, Rally, Celebrity, Maxima, Victory and Legend models.

Pride Mobility Jazzy is the most popular brand of electric wheelchair from Pride Mobility. The Jazzy range is known for its patented mid-wheel drive system, exceptional maneuverability and trendy designs. Available in many different models, the Jazzy range promises maximum performance with standard active-track suspension and enables easy assembling and disassembling. Powered with motors, and having a speed range of up to 4 mph, the Jazzy electric wheelchairs offer exceptional maneuverability control. They are also extremely user-friendly and convenient, having been designed with a patented mid-wheel drive design.

Quantum Rehab is a line of customized power positioning systems and mobility products. It includes Power Recline, Power Elevating and Power Articulating Legrest options.

Lift Chairs are designed to fit into the home’s decor and are available in luxury, gentle and casual lift modes.

Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) have great mileage (up to 25 miles before recharge) and can be used for long rides — even for golf.

The Hercules 3000 Lift is a power lift for wheelchairs with easy assembly and disassembly operations. The Hercules has a dynamic braking system and is provided with various docking devices that are suitable for any scooter or Jazzy.

This is a personal experience of this company – others may well have had great experiences and no problems whatsoever, so don’t necessarily be guided by my comments, just be careful and be informed.

We applied to this company for a wheelchair for an elderly relative whose insurance is Medicare. The company told us to arrange a “face to face” with the doctor, who would then write up a report indicating whether he felt the patient needed a chair or not. We were told that Medicare would then approve the chair, or not, and we’d be informed.

After the face-to-face, everything went quiet for a few weeks. There was no contact from Hoveround at all. Then suddenly we got a phone call telling us that they needed to make a couple of adjustments to the chair and that they would be delivering it the next day. Well OK then, that was great but we would have preferred to have been kept informed in the meantime. Never mind though, because we did have the chair. I just had one comment for Hoveround, while they were apparently setting the chair up for my relative’s specific needs: I pointed out that a major problem was with hand-eye co-ordination, due to a slow but progressive condition which left his hands unsteady. That was apparently noted.

The following day, the chair arrived with a guy who explained it’s workings to our relative and allowed him to try it out. I was not expecting the chair to be so difficult to steer, which the basic model is; the steering wheels are on the back, rather than the front, so steering it and even keeping it in a straight line is not immediately intuitive. It’s more like steering a boat than a car. And my relative found it to be difficult too, unsurprisingly, but he did give it a good try and overall we felt he would likely get the hang of it, though his hand control of the joystick and his co-ordination were poor to begin with.

While he was there I commented to the delivery guy/ rep about being told the previous day that they were “adjusting the seat” especially for the user. He was surprised and observed that the seat was fixed and no such adjustment was possible. He said he’d look into it and get back to me. And that was the last we ever saw of him.

It soon became apparent that although my relative was slightly able to control the chair, the very sensitive joystick combined with having the steering wheels at the back combined to make it a difficult experience. Also the seat (allegedly made for him) was so uncomfortable that his back was hurting after about 20 minutes.

LIE #1:

Hoveround state that: “Your doctor and our Mobility Specialists will recommend a motorized wheel chair or electric mobility scooter that supports your lifestyle and physical needs.”

FACT: The doctor hadn’t dealt with Hoveround before and didn’t know what they wanted from him. He hadn’t seen their products and wasn’t in any position to recommend a particular model. Their “mobility specialists” had no part whatsoever in choosing the chair – Medicare tells them which model to supply, i.e. generally the cheapest one. They have no say in the process, or so they later admitted to me.

LIE #2: Hoveround state that “A motorized wheel chair comes with a variety of options that allow you to recline, automatically adjust your height and more.”

TRUTH: Nope. The chair had no automatic adjustments for height. It did have the option to alter the angle of recline of the back, but only in big steps and that required using a special tool – it was not possible to adjust the seat while the user was in it, and the users themselves would be unlikely to have the strength to do the job anyway.

LIE #3: Hoveround state: “You will be spending a lot of time in your new electric wheelchair and you want to make sure it fits properly, so that it can be as supportive and comfortable as possible. Our Mobility Specialist measures your torso, hips, arms and legs to create the perfect seat height and distance between where the small of your back meets the back of the chair. We also measure your home’s doorways and hallways so that you can maneuver easily through your home.”

TRUTH: Nope. None of that. Though we were shown how to adjust the arm to alter the distance of the joystick from the body.

Well we did give it a try. We went outside in it a total of three times, and got it a way up the street and back. About half a block was enough, before the backache and tiredness set in, and it still wasn’t easy to keep the chair moving in a straight line, but there was a little progress. We couldn’t use the chair in the home, because although it would just about fit through the doorways, my relative didn’t have the fine control needed to carry out that manuever. Even I had trouble getting it through a doorway because the steering control was so touchy and unintuitive.

So what happened was that the chair went into a corner and was never used again. Months passed.

Then out of the blue, we got a letter telling us that Medicare had denied the claim. Pardon? We’d been told that the chair was ours, it had obviously been approved. No? NO. Everything on the Hoveround website is designed to give the impression that the steps needed are these, in order:

1. Get a doctor’s approval in a face-to-face assessment;

2. Do the insurance paperwork and see it through;

3. Deliver the chair.

In fact the sequence is:

1. Get a doctor’s approval in a face-to-face assessment;

2. Deliver the chair, without revealing that it hasn’t been approved by anyone;

3. Bill Medicare for it;

4. Hope Medicare approves it. If so, fine, if not, tough. Recover the chair.

I have to say that at (4) I assume there is the possibility of appeal, because the rejection letter comes from the appeals department at Hoveround. But when I contacted them, very annoyed that they had misled us into assuming the chair was ours, I wasn’t offered the chance of an appeal. I didn’t even think, I was that upset. So I said, oh well, I guess you’d better come and collect the chair then, and the person at the other end just said, fine, I’ll put it out for collection. No “well hang on a moment, you do have the right of appeal”.

The reason cited for the denial was that in the face-to-face, the doctor had failed to correctly document the conversation. This isn’t too surprising given that he didn’t have any guidelines from Hoveround or Medicare to work with. So it wasn’t our fault at all. But all Hoveround would say was that we would have to go back to the doctor and start the process over again.

There are other layers to this story as well.

During the time we had the chair I contacted Hoveround and spoke to someone in their technical support department about the difficulties we were having steering the chair. I’d done a little research and found that other chairs in their range steered from the front, which looked more appropriate. This person tried their best to be helpful but ultimately said that any issues with the suitability of the chair had to be taken up with the sales department, and that it was unlikely that they’d be keen on offering us a different model even if it were better.

Before I got round to doing anything else I got a customer satisfaction survey through the mail. I made several comments about our disappointments with the chair and the lack of customer service, and mailed it back. Nobody ever contacted me about this.

Also, I got a phone call from someone at Hoveround doing another customer service survey, and I explained at some length that the chair wasn’t being used and why not, and how we really wanted the opportunity to try another type of chair. This girl then told me that there were no such chairs in the product range and what chairs there were, weren’t suitable for my relative’s weight. I then told her, as I was sitting at the PC looking at the site at the time, that she was completely wrong about everything she’d said about Hoveround’s product range. She then admitted that she’d probably been given old information to work from. Did she actually work for Hoveround? Oh yes. But the sales people hadn’t given her up-to-date material. So she promised to pass on my request for attention to her supervisor and that was that. Literally, that was indeed that – I heard nothing whatsoever from Hoveround again, until the letter telling us that the chair had been denied by Medicare.

Bottom Line: Terrible customer service with no after-care and no communications. No opportunity to ask for a specific model of chair or try out different models in the range. Misleading information everywhere about the Medicare process. No interest shown in trying to get the best model for the patient’s needs.

I suspect that if you go to this company with money to buy your chair, everything improves enormously. And if you get a savvy doctor who knows how to manipulate Medicare, that’s going to be a big help too. So you may well get much better service than we did. BUT … even so, our experience shows what this company is capable of, even if it doesn’t happen to you.

And remember, Hoveround don’t bill Medicare until AFTER you’ve got the chair and become attached to using it. If you think their website intentionally implies otherwise, then you may draw your own conclusions.

Get the Drive Medical Sunfire Gladiator Very HD Power Wheelchair with Power Tilt Rehab Seat on Amazon

The Hoveround Company lists four reasons why their electric wheelchairs will improve the quality of life for any mobility compromised person.

They assert that a Hoveround wheel chair can allow a person increased independence. Once they’re able to get around on their own, they are much less reliant on the assistance of others to get out of the house and do what they like.

They promise that the increased mobility offered by a Hoveround wheelchair will give you the power to reconnect with the important people in your life; and that no longer does anyone need miss out on family events due to impaired mobility.

They say that the Hoveround wheelchairs are very easy to use. Anyone can learn to maneuver the easy to use chair in an hour or two, and safety features make the possibility of accidents very low.
They also boast of great ergonomics. The chair has been specially designed for all-day comfort. A sore back won’t keep you from getting out in the world with family and friends.

These mobility solutions are considered necessary medical equipment, and as and such are covered under Medicare; so there’s really no financial barrier to ownership if you and your physician agree that you would benefit from a way to get around easier.

As of may 5 2005, Medicare now covers power wheelchairs for people who have a mobility deficit that impairs their ability to participate in the mobility-related activities of daily living. Patient who think that they might need an electric wheelchair are encouraged to consult with a physician for a face to face evaluation of mobility, and for a determination of what mobility aid is best suited.

Medicare will likely need to know, what the specific mobility deficits are, and how they interfere with daily life. Why a cane or walker won’t suffice? Why a manual wheelchair won’t meet the patients mobility needs, and whether or not the patient has the mental and physical capacity to operate the electric wheelchair?
If you and your doctor feel that an electric wheelchair might benefit your circumstances, you might well be covered for most of the purchase cost under Medicare. Talk with your doctor about how to get started on the application process

Keep you chin up. Shopping for a mobility chair doesn’t have to be depressing. It’s all in your point of view. Accept the fact you need assistance, and get your freedom back. Shopping for a motorized chair is about getting your independence back. Getting a chair should be your personal 4th of July.

What will you achieve with your own chair? It’s up to you. Choosing the right chair is important. What are the most important things to consider? You should look for a chair that will work indoors and out. You should look for a chair with a tight turn radius. That means you can use it in tight spaces. You should look for a chair with rounded edges so you won’t scuff fixtures and walls if you rub against them. You should look for a chair that’s comfortable. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in it.

There are lots of motorized chairs to choose from. Do your homework and pick the chair that’s right for you. Do the research. Pick the chair you want with the accessories you want. When you know what you want, shop for the best price.

Don’t forget to find out if your insurance will pay for a motorized chair. Maybe a visit to your doctor is in order. Be honest with your doctor about your mobility problems. See what they have to offer. Use caution if you’re in an HMO. Your doctor may be bonused on what he saves.

I recommend shopping for a Hoveround. I feel the Hoveround offers all the features and accessories someone would want. Don’t just take my word for it. Read all about it and see what they have to offer.

I’m familiar with the Hoveround. I don’t use one, but many of my customers do. I drive a wheelchair van in my part time job. My customers who drive a Hoveround are very happy with it. Most of them got a Hoveround for little or no cost. Shop around to find the best Hoveround price.

The first thing that one should notice about the commercial for the Hoveround was the people. This commercial showed real people, not hired actors, and lots of them. This technique shows that the Hoveround is owned and operated by many people that many average people you know have or had the Hoveround. Another great aspect of the commercial was that it was purely business items which were discussed. Hoveround designers and company are so assured in their product and how effective it is that they brush over the smaller fringe benefits it has to offer like the ease and comfort of the chair, and head directly into how to receive a free information kit or a free video about the Hoverround, and how to try and qualify for a free chair.

The second thing one should notice was the few key components which were actually left out of the description of the Hoveround. While Hoveround is a great product to be used by anyone who is confined to a chair, it is not mentioned that the Hoveround electric wheelchair is meant first and foremost for people with disabilities in their arms, who cannot steer a normal chair.

The first thing that catches the eye about the Hoveround website was how limited the “show” is. The design of the website doesn’t have lots of pop ups or bright colors or bright colors with strenuous links and tabs. Meant, obviously, for those with lesser computer skills, the website is simple and precise. Details about a free information kit from Hoveround are the first thing you see when you visit the website, along with a phone number to call for more personal assistance in checking your qualification for the Hoveround, whether it suits you, and making the purchase. Hoveround describes the usefulness of their product as allowing more mobility in life.

While offering more mobility, the construction of the chair itself was developed by Tom Kruse based on designs from people working as NASA scientists all the way through truck drivers. The seats of the Hoveround are designed to fit your body, and provide optimum support for someone who is confined to a chair. The speed of the Hoverround, while limited to 15mph, offers a normal walking pace to keep up with others.

While the design and accessibility of the website are enough to convince of the durability of the product, it is great to see all of the available accessories such as a canopy, crutch holder, beverage holder, walker holder, to meet whatever your needs might be. Hoveround website is easy to navigate and its even easier to have a representative help you meet your needs.