Hoveround eyes complex rehab 

BRADENTON, Fla. – Hoveround has launched Hoveround Mobility Solutions, allowing the well-known name in standard mobility devices to expand into complex rehab technology, and positioning it to become a major player in that largely consolidated market. 

Leading the new venture is Adam Frerichs, CEO of Hoveround, who also leads MedSupply, a provider based in California that made a similar move in 2021, launching MedSupply Mobility Solutions. 

“With Hoveround, the company had to disqualify certain patients due to their need for a higher level of wheelchair or seating and positioning,” he said. “Now, it can support those patients, including after sale and delivery.” 

Frerichs has been working on HMS for about a year, building a network of assistive technology professionals (ATPs) and rehab technology specialists (RTSs), as well as a Complex Rehab Technology Team, led by Vern Nielsen, director of complex rehab at Hoveround. 

As of March, HMS had a network of 13 ATPs around the country, with plans to bring onboard another six. Their focus, Frerichs says, is not to drive sales, as Hoveround already has a significant presence and marketing engine to support that. 

“We’re not worried about their book of business,” he said. “We want ATPs who want to dig into the clinical side of the market and do what’s best for the patient.” 

Frerichs acknowledges that HMS has work to win over wheelchair and seating clinics, which are a big source of referrals for complex rehab. 

“We’re going to have to prove ourselves,” he said. “But we’re getting first-hand knowledge that there is room for another national provider in the market.” 

HMS has the backing of a trio of leading manufacturers in complex rehab to help with that, Frerichs says: Permobil, Sunrise Medical and Merits, which has a complex rehab division called Avid. 

“They've bought into the idea of us providing the best possible solution to the client,” he said. “When people hear HMS, we want them to think of CRT and these (brands).” 

While HMS’s initial focus is on complex power wheelchairs, the company plans to expand into complex manual wheelchairs, sit-to-stand devices and other advanced technology in certain cities. 

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “We’re completely leaning into complex rehab at Hoveround.”