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Bay Alarm Medical’s four distinct alert systems each provide meaningful protection for the most unexpected emergencies.
The best Medical alert systems and home security systems have one thing in common – reliability. These systems should be at your beck and call when a medical or security emergency occurs. It makes sense, then, that there are a handful of brands, including Bay Alarm, that offer both kinds of systems. Here’s the question, though. Are systems like these better than most because they offer both kinds of services? Or are they worse than most because they spread themselves too thin?
Well, when we tested Bay Alarm Medical, we discovered that it is among the most dependable medical alert systems on the market. It offers a range of landline- and cellular-based equipment as well as both at-home and on-the-go options. Bay Alarm isn’t the most high-tech medical alert system, but it’s affordable and it works.
When we say affordable, what do we mean exactly? Below, we get into all the ins and outs of Bay Alarm pricing. We break down the various options available and what you can expect to pay for each one. If Bay Alarm is on your list of potential medical alert systems, you’ll want to pay close attention.
Bay Alarm makes ordering a medical alert system simple and straightforward. Pull up the company’s homepage, and the first thing you find is a list of available systems. All four include pictures that provide a concrete sense of just what you get when you order. Click on any of them, and a new page pops up explaining that system in detail. Intuitive design is one of our favorite things in life.
Similarly, these pages highlight equipment prices so there’s no confusion about what you’ll pay for a given system. So are the monthly fees for the different monitoring options. Typically, for at-home systems, you can choose between landline and cellular monitoring. Landline systems are cheaper but they’re slower and less reliable than cellular systems, so we recommend going cellular. But before you order, we suggest calling Bay Alarm to find out if they have a strong cellular coverage in your area. It makes sense to go with landline if cellular signal is going to be an issue.
Bay Alarm’s systems are pre-packaged, but you can opt for add-ons and extra amenities. That comes next after choosing your equipment and monitoring plan. We added fall detection (usually $10 per month) to our monitoring, and we purchased add-on, wall-mounted emergency buttons. Those cost extra, but they helped tailor our Bay Alarm system to our needs. And once again, we didn’t need to seek those extras out. Bay Alarm offered them after we selected our equipment and monitoring.
Pro Tip: If fall detection is a top priority for you, check out our guide to the best medical alert systems with fall detection. We encourage adding fall detection especially for older seniors or those with mobility issues who are more prone to accidental falls. And even if you don’t need it now, it’s nice to know that fall detection is available as an add-on if or when the time that you need it comes.
We should have guessed this from the purchasing process, but the installation process was equally as simple and easy. Bay Alarm takes the trouble to post several informative support videos on its website. Following these, we got the entire system set up in under two minutes. We had no problems getting our devices up and running. Studying and reviewing these products is our job, but even the least tech-savvy customers should be able to get their devices up and running without an issue. If you run into an issue, however, customer support can help.
We like taking charge of our systems ourselves, so when we ran into a problem with the volume on the base station, we pulled up the Bay Alarm homepage and made our way to the Help section. There, we found a FAQ, a set of clearly written Help Guides, and a series of instructional videos. There’s also the option to email with specific questions.
The thing is, not everyone is comfortable navigating websites, even when they’re user-friendly. We get it. The good thing about Bay Alarm is that they offer the option to talk in real-time to a real person using your actual voice by phone. It’s worth pointing out that this option is also valuable in case of an emergency.
Bay Alarm Medical offers four separate medical alert systems. Each one comes with its own set of options, though, so we recommend exploring them one at a time.
First up is the SOS Home system. The SOS is a home-based system that works through a traditional landline. Of course, landlines are becoming increasingly rare. You can easily upgrade to an LTE cellular connection, but that comes with an additional price. You can add other features to your monitoring plan as well, like Fall Detection. Here’s a complete list of SOS Home system options:
Let’s move on to the SOS Micro. This system is perfect for anyone who spends time outside the home. The heart of this system is a wearable emergency button that provides complete protection for seniors any time they’re out of the house and on the go. The device itself costs $99, but that’s quite reasonable when you consider the flexibility this system offers.
Like the SOS Home, the SOS Micro comes in three flavors, all three with 24/7 professional monitoring included.
The SOS All-In-One 2 is a hybrid system. It doesn’t come with a base station, but it does include lanyard emergency buttons you can wear around the house, so you’re protected just as you would be with an SOS Home system. It also includes the SOS Micro, so you get the benefits of mobile protection too.
In this case, you have two plan options.
Finally, Bay Alarm offers a stylish SOS Smartwatch. The smartwatch offers the mobility of the Micro but adds features like a step tracker and a weather app and packages it all in a sleek high-tech design that conceals the fact that you’re using a medical alert system. The Smartwatch requires an initial investment of $199.99, but you can choose from multiple monthly plans.
Pro Tip: Take a look at our guide to the best medical alert systems to see how Bay Alarm Medical stacks up against some of the top brands in the industry. You may even change your mind and go for another system altogether.
Below is an overview of all of Bay Alarm Medical’s alert systems.
Bay Alarm Medical Alert systems | System type | Connection type | Monthly plan cost | Equipment fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
SOS Home Landline | At-home/landline | Landline | $34.95 | $0 |
SOS Home Cellular | At-home/wireless | Cellular | $29.95 | $0 |
SOS Home Cellular With Fall Detection | At-home/wireless | Cellular | $39.95 | $0 |
SOS Mobile | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $29.95 | $79 |
SOS Mobile With Fall Detection | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $39.95 | $79 |
SOS Mobile 360 Bundle | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $54.95 | $79 |
SOS All-In-One | All-in-one | At-home/on-the-go | $34.95 | $129 |
SOS All-In-One With Fall Detection | All-in-one | At-home/on-the-go | $44.95 | $129 |
SOS Smartwatch | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $39.95 | $159 |
SOS Smartwatch With Fall Detection | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $49.95 | $159 |
SOS Smartwatch 360 Bundle | Mobile/wireless | On-the-go | $64.95 | $159 |
The bottom line is that Bay Alarm provides excellent monitoring with 24/7 customer support to handle any emergency you might experience. That’s by far the most important qualification for any home medical alert system. In addition, though, the company offers a number of additional features depending on the particular system you choose.
SOS Home
SOS Mobile
SOS All-In-One 2
SOS Smartwatch
Pro Tip: If the smartwatches by Bay Alarm Medical caught your eye, check out our review of the best medical alert systems worn as watches. Surprisingly, Apple landed on our list, but you’ll have to read on to find out why.
In addition to the select bundle plans, there is also a variety of add-ons that each subscription offers to add more security benefits. Below is an overview of the add-ons you can include with any system.
Add-on equipment | Cost | Features and functionality |
---|---|---|
Fall detection | $10 per month |
|
Extra buttons | $39 each |
|
Wall buttons | $35 each |
|
Lockbox | $30 each |
|
Vial of L.I.F.E. Kits | $8 each |
|
Extra auto fall-detection buttons | $10 each |
|
Warranty plan | $2.95 per month |
|
Bella Charms | $25 each |
|
Bella Bands | $17 each |
|
Additional charger | $49.95 each |
|
All of Bay Alarm Medical’s systems and plans come with full access to the Bay Alarm Medical app. Of course, not all seniors are 100 percent comfortable managing apps, so Bay Alarm made sure that you don’t need the app to operate the system. However, for those more tech-savvy, the app offers some nice features. For instance, you can use the app to keep your personal information up to date and to make adjustments to your monitoring subscription. In addition, you’ll find handy guides to using your system as well as up-to-date data on past payments, upcoming bills, and transaction histories. The best part of all? You can access all of this material no matter where in the world you might be, and you don’t have to bother contacting customer support and waiting on hold. Even if your loved one is comfortable using the app, you can use it to help them manage their system.
It’s not necessary to download the app, but we found it useful. It’s where you’ll find guides, general information, payments, transaction histories, subscription statuses, and more without having to contact tech support. The app is also a useful resource for subscribers with caregivers.
A 360 Bundle offer is available with both the SOS Mobile and SOS Smartwatch plans. The bundle includes either the SOS Mobile or SOS Smartwatch, along with the SOS Home System as follows:
SOS Mobile | SOS Smartwatch | |
---|---|---|
Deals and perks | SOS Mobile and SOS Home Systems | SOS Smartwatch and SOS Home Systems |
Services | Cellular | Cellular |
Equipment | SOS Mobile System, SOS Home System, lanyard, wrist band | SOS Smartwatch System, SOS Home System, lanyard, wrist band |
Bundling the two systems saves you about $60 per year compared to buying each system separately.
There isn’t a wrong Bay Alarm Medical system, but some may be more useful than others depending on your situation. To answer which plan is right for you, we first need to talk about the benefits of an on-the-go system versus a home system.
Who needs on-the-go medical alert systems?
As their name implies, on-the-go medical alert systems are great for active people who are constantly getting out of the house. Whether you’re going to a nine-to-five job or taking a vacation, the mobile systems add the protections of an at-home alert system while you’re on the move. The mobile nature of the devices means they’ll work even if you’re in another state, since the hotline will patch you through to any available local emergency services. If that sounds like you, go with the SOS Mobile or SOS Smartwatch system.
Who needs home medical alert systems?
Since many (but not all) individuals who need medical alert systems are seniors, many people using the devices aren’t able to leave the house without assistance. If that’s the case for you, a home SOS system will be perfect. We recommend having a mobile medical alert option in case you need to leave your house, but a home system will keep a close watch on your daily activities and will be available to assist you during an emergency.
Pro Tip: Our medical alert system buying guide will tell you what you should be looking for in a device. If saving as much money as possible is your priority, skip ahead to our guide to the cheapest medical alert systems.
It’s difficult to think of anything Bay Alarm Medical gets wrong. An easy-to-use website, affordable pricing, and diverse subscription options with extra add-ons to fit your needs make it one of the best alert services money can buy. The world is a scary and unpredictable place, and systems like these can help alleviate fears dramatically.
In our extensive reviews of the SOS Home, SOS Mobile, SOS All-In-One, and SOS Smartwatch systems, we found that all four are worthwhile choices. That’s true not just for individuals at an advanced age or with serious health conditions that require close monitoring, but also anyone who wants to keep their health at the forefront in case of an emergency.
They say you should know who to call when an emergency strikes, but you don’t need to do that if you have a Bay Alarm Medical system. Every emergency resource you need is just one click away — or one automatic signal away if you spend the extra 10 bucks on fall detection.
Bay Alarm Medical is powered by 4G LTE cellular data. Depending on your area, the watch runs on either AT&T or Verizon.
That depends on what you’re looking for in a medical watch. The Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch has a simpler user interface and an easier learning curve. It’s also cheaper. The Medical Guardian smartwatch has more abilities for its wearers to play around with, including calendar alerts and messaging apps, and it has a tracking app that allows caregivers to track you.
After the up-front fee of $159, you’ll pay $34.95 a month to continue using Bay Alarm Medical’s services. If you want the trusty fall detection with your watch, you’ll have to pay an extra $10 a month. That isn’t bad, but we’d prefer it included with the monitoring fee.
No, Medicare usually doesn’t cover Bay Alarm Medical devices. Medicare generally doesn’t cover any medical alert systems, regardless of the company.
Yes, to a point. You probably wouldn’t want to take your SOS Smartwatch with you for a swim, but it offers protection from rainwater and you can use the device while showering, which is one of the times you need it most.
Alzheimer's Association. (Retrieved February 2023). Wandering and getting lost: Who’s at risk and how to be prepared.
https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-wandering-behavior-ts.pdf
National Center for Health Statistics. (Retrieved February 2023). Wireless Substitutions.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/wireless202212.pdf
Bay Alarm News. (2016, April 6). Bay Alarm Brothers Inducted Into Security Sales and Integration Industry Hall of Fame.
https://www.bayalarm.com/news/bay-alarm-brothers-inducted-into-security-sales-and-integration-industry-hall-of-fame/
Bay Alarm Medical: Better Business Bureau® Profile. (Retrieved May 2020). BBB.
https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/concord/profile/medical-alarm/bay-alarm-medical-1116-310903