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Starting at just $26.99 per month, here’s a look at the ADT alert system pricing and overall value.
You probably already know ADT has installed millions of security systems all over the country, but ADT also provides some of the best medical alert systems on the market.
Did You Know? American District Telegraph (ADT) is arguably the most recognizable name in home security. The company has been providing services for nearly 150 years, so it’s safe to say it has a long and prestigious reputation to live up to.
Medical alert systems are great for people who are prone to falling, have medical conditions, or live alone and want extra peace of mind. With the push of a button, the devices can contact the proper authorities in seconds. But how does ADT’s value fare against other medical alert devices?
We examined every plan and device and got to the bottom of all the costs and fees, so you can decide which option is best for you. Let’s dive in!
ADT has been in the security game for a while, so it has developed an easy buying process. ADT’s website is one of the sleekest out there, with everything you need to know available at the push of a button (so to speak) on the homepage.
We found selecting and purchasing a plan to be straightforward, but we will note that the advertised price on the home page applies to annual billing rather than monthly subscription plans. Be careful when committing to any plan with any brand, because many times those are promotional prices
If you want add-ons with your selected plan, that’s also easy to do. Click the plan you wish to purchase, and you can then add any additional features or equipment you want. Be careful with the add-ons, though, since there is a $99 activation fee that gets added at the end.
Buying an ADT medical alert system is simple, and setting it up is easy too. Whether it’s a landline system or one of the wireless plans, we found that getting each of the three systems set up was quick and painless.
We set up systems like this for a living, but we think it’s a straightforward process even if it’s your first DIY project. If you get stuck setting up your system, ADT offers FAQs and guides on its website to make things a bit smoother. You can always reach out to the company directly for help too.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide to the best medical alert systems to compare ADT against the top brands. You may find another brand you want to try.
There are three subscription plans for ADT’s medical alert systems, but we found that all of them have benefits and similarities that carry across each device. The goal of all three options is to provide an effective way to contact authorities, whether it’s during a medical emergency or any other situation in which a phone is out of reach.
Each medical alert system includes a ForeveRate guarantee (meaning your subscription plan will never change in price), a premium warranty, two-day shipping, and 24/7 professional monitoring. There are also no base equipment fees for the included devices.
The cheapest plan is the Medical Alert Basic plan. It’s a simple home landline system that, according to ADT, gives users “the confidence needed to live alone and maintain independence when home.” The plan is for in-home operations, requires a landline, and features home temperature monitoring.
Second is the Medical Alert Plus plan, which does everything the Medical Alert Basic plan does but without a landline. The plan is also intended for use in the home, but the added range allowed us to keep our device functional in our garden and backyard. The Medical Alert Plus plan also features home temperature monitoring, and automatic fall detection can be added for a fee.
Pro Tip: If you’re always on the go, consider a medical alert system that doubles as a smartwatch. Take a look at our review of the best medical alert systems worn as watches to find the best fit for you.
Finally, there’s the On-The-Go plan. As the name implies, this unit is for people who are consistently out of the house. It has GPS tracking on the device, so ADT can send emergency personnel directly to you no matter where you go. No landline is required, and fall detection can be added for a fee.
Below is a quick summary of each ADT medical alert plan.
ADT Medical Alert Systems | System type | Connection type | Monthly plan cost | Equipment fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Alert Basic | At-home/landline | Landline |
|
None |
Medical Alert Plus | At-home/wireless | Cellular |
|
None |
On-The-Go | Mobile | Cellular |
|
None |
No matter which plan you choose, you will have access to emergency services at the push of a button, whether it’s inside your home or while you’re on the go.
All plans also feature benefits such as a forever price guarantee, a premium warranty, and two-day shipping. We put together a comparison of the features each plan includes to make selecting the right plan even easier.
Features | Medical Alert Basic | Medical Alert Plus | On-The-Go |
---|---|---|---|
In-home or mobile | In-home operations | In-home operations | Mobile base unit |
Landline required | Yes | No | No |
Fall detection | No | Optional | Optional |
ForeveRate guarantee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Premium protection plan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Home temperature monitoring | Yes | Yes | No |
24/7 professional monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pendant options | No | Yes | Yes |
GPS tracking | No | No | Yes |
More options can be overwhelming, so if you want one simplified plan, take a look at our Bay Alarm Medical review.
Once you pick a plan, select add-ons and spare paraphernalia can be added for an additional fee. That includes devices with automatic fall detection. It’s standard for medical alert systems, so we’re not sure why you have to pay extra for this.
Fall detection seems like a vital feature that should be included with every plan, especially since ADT is pricier than other services, such as Bay Alarm Medical.
Pro Tip: If fall detection is a top priority and you don’t want to pay extra, take a look at our guide to the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
Below is an overview of the add-on equipment available for ADT medical alert systems.
Add-on equipment | Cost | Features and functionality |
---|---|---|
Fall detection | Varies per unit and per billing period:
|
|
Extra wristbands or pendants | $14.99 each |
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Waterproof wall mount buttons | Varies per unit and per billing period:
|
|
ADT lockbox | $29.99 each |
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Leather case | $10 each |
|
When testing our ADT Medical Alert System, we were surprised to learn it didn’t have any mobile apps.
ADT advertises several apps, but as far as we can tell, there isn’t a way to connect mobile devices to any of the medical alert systems. That’s a feature many of ADT’s competitors have, and it’s something we want ADT to add in the future.
The price of ADT’s medical alert systems vary depending on which subscription you choose. With the Medical Alert Basic plan, for example, you can pay a monthly price of $31.99, or you can pay quarterly to save $24 or yearly to save $60. The quarterly and yearly plans also include free shipping, a free lockbox, or both.
Pro Tip: Use our medical alert system buying guide to find out what you should be looking for. If you’re looking for a good deal, skip ahead to our guide on the most affordable medical alert systems.
The key to deciding which medical alert system is your best option comes down to how mobile you are. Someone who works from home, for example, has different needs than someone who works at a local business. You’ll need to decide whether you need an on-the-go system or a home system.
Who needs an on-the-go medical alert system?
Even if you spend most of your time at home, chances are you will leave the house on occasion. That’s where on-the-go systems shine, since you’ll have access to emergency services no matter where you are. The GPS tech in the on-the-go system makes it safer.
Who needs a home medical alert system?
People who are at an advanced age or have medical issues that require regular monitoring need a home medical alert system. They’re more limited in scope and range, but home systems have benefits that on-the-go systems don’t. In ADT’s case, the home systems have temperature monitoring, which adds protection by alerting the user of dangers such as a hot stove.
There are positive aspects of ADT’s medical alert systems. Buying and setting them up is quick and easy, and the add-ons can make them easier to use. The added bells and whistles of GPS tracking and temperature monitoring are also welcome features.
There are, however, some drawbacks to ADT’s medical alert systems — namely the price. ADT’s medical alert systems are pricier than some of its competitors, and we don’t think the quarterly and yearly plans offer enough of a discount.
The lack of bundle options with at-home and on-the-go devices feels like an oversight, not to mention the lack of a dedicated app. Still, we think the ease of use and simple installation outweigh those drawbacks. After all, we buy medical alert systems for one purpose: keeping our loved ones safe. ADT makes it easy for our loved ones to use their emergency button in an emergency.
The prices for ADT’s medical alert systems range from about $27 per month to $42 per month. You won’t have to worry about any equipment fees unless you purchase optional add-ons for your subscription, but you will have to pay a $99 activation fee.
Medical alert systems usually are not covered by insurance, but we recommend checking with your insurance provider just to be sure.
Yes, all of ADT’s medical alert systems are covered by a premium warranty. The warranty covers most types of damages, but it will not cover lost or stolen devices.
Response times will vary for ADT’s medical alert systems, but in all our tests we received a response in less than a minute.
Yes. ADT will contact 911 on your behalf if your medical alert system has been triggered and you are in need of immediate medical help.