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North American Mobility Aids Markets
Frost & Sullivan, Oct 2004
Shrinking Reimbursement Diverts Demand to Low-end Mobility Aids
Reimbursement cuts by healthcare providers force manufacturers of mobility aids to find innovative ways to increase revenues. By working together with healthcare providers such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), manufacturers can provide alternative products and payment structures to contain costs. Declining reimbursement is expected to require patients to pay more out-of-pocket expenses, making premium products unobtainable for many patients. Although this trend reduces sales for high-margin products, demand is anticipated to increase for lower-end products and create new niche product segments to fill in the gap.
This Frost & Sullivan research service provides an overview and outlook for the North American mobility aids market. This research service is segmented into patient lifts, standard manual wheelchairs, ultra lightweight manual wheelchairs, pediatric manual wheelchairs, bariatric manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and scooters. This service includes detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated through extensive interviews with market participants.
Growing Obese Population Drives Demand for Bariatric Mobility Equipment
The number of obese people is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2004, there were 68.9 million obese persons in North America and this number is expected to increase to 74.7 million in 2006. Manufacturers are reacting slowly to the demand for bariatric mobility equipment providing an opportunity for new entrants in this market. Bariatric products are projected to be the fastest growing mobility aid segment in the near future. This could also lead to greater product innovation and more intense competition.
Domestic bariatric mobility aids manufacturers are likely to be challenged by the entry of foreign companies. These importers control costs by achieving economies of scale through mass production in regions such as Asia. However, their products often lack in quality, durability, and comfort. Many imports lack additional features and a reinforced structure comparable to that available in North American products, says the analyst of this research. Since these chairs are made for heavy people, manufacturers are expected to lay special emphasis on performance, maneuverability, and solid construction.
Growing Concern for Caregivers’ Safety Increases Spending on Patient Lifts
Currently, there are no regulatory policies that require patient lift compliance for care providers. Care providers are prone to injuries when they lift patients unassisted. Excessive injuries can further contribute to an increasing shortage of hospital staff. Due to exposure by the American Nursing Association, institutions and long-term care facilities are realizing the necessity of patient lifts for workers. Manufacturers and Occupational Safety & Health Organization (OSHA) must come together to educate facilities regarding the importance of safety by developing lift policies for care providers.
Whether lift policies are implemented voluntarily by institutions or enforced by OSHA, institutions are expected to mandate workers compliance, thereby driving future sales of patient lifts. Increased demand for ceiling lifts in institutions and long-term care facilities are likely to be key factors in the growth of the patient lift market, notes the analyst. In 2003, market revenue in this segment touched $125.1 million and is projected to reach $316.1 million in 2010.
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