Resources and News from Mobility Plus Knoxville, TN

So much of what people need and want is not covered by insurance, or they need it immediately, and insurance is a process that involves waiting.

Insurance coverages are all different.

• No tax in TN on some items with a prescription
• Insurance does not cover lightweight, foldable items for travel or off-road use.
• The items that insurance covers are coded. Medicare determines what it codes, and there is a process for obtaining approval. The process may require a physical therapist appointment and/or a home visit, and the patient must be eligible and can only receive one every so many years (usually 6,8, or 10 years, depending on needs and policy).
• Medicare and supplemental insurance cover differently. Because all policies are different, many people choose to buy out of pocket to get what they want when they want it.

Examples:

• One example is electric wheelchairs and scooters. Medicare may cover the cost of an electric wheelchair for home use if the patient is unable to get around without it, and families may pay out of pocket for a scooter to enhance mobility outside the home.
• Another example is the purchase of a lift chair. Medicare alone only covers the lift mechanism or motor, but not the chair.

How does the local dealer make a difference?

A personal visit to Mobility Plus will provide education on what a patient wants or needs, as well as the opportunity to test products before making a purchase.

It is also necessary to get fitted for personal equipment, such as lift chairs and wheelchairs. A proper fit is essential for safety, comfort, and ease of use.

Mobility Plus will adjust delivery charges to help cover the cost of non-covered items.

Mobility Plus Knoxville offers a wide range of mobility aids, including ramps, hospital beds, Hi Lo adjustable beds, stair lifts, vertical platform lifts, wheelchairs, rollators, vehicle lifts, and more. They also provide in-store repair services, home repair visits, and discounted batteries for their customers, among many other services.

Holiday get-togethers serve as powerful reminders for families to connect not only in celebration but also in compassion. Loved ones often make observations that highlight the needs of elderly or infirm family members who might require additional support. These observations may prompt families to discuss health concerns and mobility issues, leading to practical solutions such as caregiver support, stairlifts, lift chairs, mobility devices, adjustable beds, and fall prevention tools.

When choosing a practical solution like the ones mentioned, it is good to consult experts in the field and to try support devices during an in-person visit. Mobility Plus will arrange a consultation to help loved ones age in place.

If you live out of town, we can arrange for a consultation while you are here for the holidays with your loved ones to help ensure they are safe at home. If you are an aging parent or grandparent, you can call ahead to schedule an appointment while your child is in town.

Mobility Plus Knoxville offers a wide range of mobility aids, including ramps, hospital beds, Hi Lo adjustable beds, stair lifts, vertical platform lifts, wheelchairs, rollators, vehicle lifts, and more. They also provide in-store repair services, home repair visits, and discounted batteries for their customers, among many other services.

It seems so easy to sit behind the screen, scroll thorough the choices, BUT then to decide on the match for YOU? Sometimes, only an in-person shopping experience is the answer, especially if you are searching for mobility products.

Mobility equipment is very deceptive when viewed online as it is impossible to determine how it maneuvers, disassembles or fits an individual’s comfort demands.

Some key advantages to purchasing mobility items in person compared to online shopping:

• Hands-On Experience: Trying out mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers or scooters allows you to assess comfort, fit and functionality. You can evaluate how they feel, maneuverability and whether they meet your specific needs.
• Personalized Assistance: In-store staff can provide expert guidance, answer questions and suggest options based on your individual needs and desires.
• Assessment of Quality: You can inspect the materials and construction quality of the items firsthand, ensuring they meet your standards for durability and reliability.
• Repairs and Local Assistance: Repairs can be made by a local dealer; sometimes even in-home repairs are an option. Many online products do not have replacement parts or repair options.
• Community Connection: A local business will have a sense of connection to the community in service and good will which is important when discussing customer needs.

The Knoxville area is fortunate to have David and Hannah Beal who own the Mobility Plus Knoxville franchise at 5911 Rutledge Pike. Even though the showroom is expansive at its 4,000 square feet, it is an organized space featuring clearly defined sections for various mobility products, allowing visitors to navigate easily without feeling overwhelmed.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff members are readily available to offer assistance, yet they respect the customer space and even offer customer seating to relax and discuss options.

Mobility Plus Knoxville has ramps, hospital beds, Hi Lo adjustable beds, stair lifts, vertical platform lifts, wheelchairs, rollators, vehicle lifts and more. They also provide instore repair service, home repair visits and discounted batteries for their customers among many services.

Testing mobility devices at Mobility Plus includes seeing what you can lift, how they operate and fold to come apart, how you can carry items with vehicle lifts, and what capabilities they each have. These are important deciding factors only made during in person shopping experiences.

Like many business owners, Hannah Beal came to own and run her Mobility Plus franchise on Rutledge Pike because she had firsthand knowledge of her customers’ needs.

Beal has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects connective tissue, and couldn’t continue in her previous physically demanding job.

"Technically, I could get disability," she said, "but I wanted to continue to work. And this was an avenue to help friends and family. It’s close to my heart because I’ve experienced the limitation."

Not only that, she has a sharp eye and mind for the many varieties of limitation in today’s world.

With the coronavirus going around, a lot of older folks are choosing to stay shut in. My grandparents had moved down here from Gray, Tennessee, into assisted living — we had a couple of months with them and then the virus shut them down.

"I see the toll it’s taken. They’re stuck there. So the assisted living room that they’re in is involved in every aspect of their lives." Chairs and scooters that aren’t fitted properly, or aren’t suited to their particular needs, cause joint problems.

Because of the restrictions in place, Beal hasn’t yet been able to get to them in order to help them out. But she will.

Read the entire article on Shopper News