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In-home and mobile alert plans from a nationwide brand
Medical Alert, a Connect America brand, is the nation’s largest independent provider of medical alert systems. We’ve been researching their devices over the years, and we like that they offer reliable equipment, senior-friendly features, and overall quality service. We also appreciate that they have a system to keep things simple. During our recent round of testing, we wanted to dig a little deeper into their packages, plan options, and pricing.
Medical Alert provides 24/7 emergency monitoring services from their UL-accredited monitoring center with U.S. based operators. Thankfully, you don’t need to have a landline to use this medical alert system. While Medical Alert offers an at-home landline package starting at $22.95 per month, they have cellular mobile plans, too. And all of their plans come with a complementary app that provides beneficial features for caregivers. Some providers charge an extra monthly fee for this valuable addition.
So, let’s see if Medical Alert’s systems and monitoring plans are the right fit for you or your loved one.
The best features of this system
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On average, medical alert systems range in price from $19.95 to $44.95 per month, plus equipment costs. Medical Alert’s plans fall within this spectrum, and importantly, the brand does not require long-term contracts. long-term contracts. You are required to sign an agreement, but you’re free to cancel any time. Keep in mind that Medical Alert offers some great deals and discounts, too. But we’ll cover those in just a bit.
Pro Tip:: Medical Alert offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to try out a system of your choosing before committing to it, an option that not all medical alert providers offer.
We found Medical Alert’s Home Landline System to be affordable compared to other in-home systems. However, their Home Cellular System is priced at $32.95 per month, which is slightly higher than what we’re used to seeing for in-home cellular alerts. Medical Alert’s mobile system is also on the high end of the pricing spectrum for on-the-go systems. However, keep an open mind because Medical Alert does not charge fees found with other medical alert systems. For starters, they do not charge an equipment fee on any of their systems.
Have a look at their prices below.
One Call Alert Systems | System Type | Monthly Plan Cost | Semi-Annual Plan Cost | Annual Plan Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Home Landline | At-home Landline Alert | $22.95 per month | $19.95 per month | $18.29 per month |
Home Cellular | At-home Cellular Alert | $32.95 per month | $29.95 per month | $27.45 per month |
Mobile | Cellular Mobile Alert | $42.95 per month | $39.95 per month | $36.62 per month |
We found that Medical Alert only offers a few options for upgrades and add-ons. Still, we like that you get high-quality freebies with annual payment plans — like a key lockbox, which is designed to help EMTs and first responders enter your home quickly.1 You also get free access to Medical Alert Connect, the brand’s mobile app that allows you to keep an eye on the Medical Alert subscribers in your care. As we mentioned earlier, this perk comes with all plans!
One Call Alert Add-Ons | Device Type | Price |
---|---|---|
Fall Detection | Service | $10 per month |
Protection Plan | Warranty | $5 per month |
Medical Alert Connect | Mobile App | Free |
Key Lockbox | Lockbox | $2.99 per month (free with annual payment plans) |
Medical Alert offers three alert systems: two in-home systems, and one mobile option. We’d like to see a wider selection, especially when it comes to plans for active seniors. Bay Alarm Medical is one brand that has plenty of packages (eight to be exact!). That said, most companies only offer 3-5 options. Let’s see how Medical Alert’s options can help you or your loved one age with confidence.
This system includes a base station and a waterproof help button that you wear around your neck or wrist. It requires a landline connection, but it’s simple and affordable at $22.95 per month (or ~$18.29 monthly when you pay annually). It has a decent 800-ft. range but doesn’t really compare to One Call Alert’s standard plan that gives you 1,300-ft. for just a few extra bucks. However, we think it’ll work if you’re on a tight budget or live in a modest-sized home.
Who It’s Best For: Medical Alert’s At Home Landline system is best suited for seniors who enjoy spending time at-home and happen to have a landline.
FYI:: Medical Alert uses only U.S. based agents who are SIA-Certified multilingual operators.3 They are equipped to handle real-time translation in 140 different languages.
As the name implies, Medical Alert’s cellular system doesn’t require a phone connection. For $32.95 per month, you’ll enjoy cellular coverage, which is more reliable than landline monitoring in our experience. This package comes with wireless equipment, including a base station and wearable help button. Keep in mind that while you won’t pay an equipment fee, you will have to return all devices if you cancel your plan.
Who It’s Best For: The At Home No Landline plan is best for seniors who want the reliability of cellular monitoring and don’t mind paying a little more for it.
Medical Alert’s on-the-go system gives you the flexibility to run errands, but it’ll set you back $42.95 per month. Note that the plan uses a travel-friendly version of the base unit, a waterproof button, and a wearable lanyard or wrist button to keep you protected at all times. You also get a charging cradle and convenient carrying case for your mobile device.
We were impressed by this system’s five-day battery life and its modern, sleek design. One of the drawbacks of Medical Alert’s on-the-go system is that it’s on the pricier side for mobile alerts. We’re used to getting similar value closer to the $37 per month price point.
Who It’s Best For: Seniors who enjoy spending time away from home and want the added protection of on-the-go coverage.
Remember: Medical Alert equipment is free which means you don’t have to pay any upfront costs for the equipment. However, you will have to return the devices when the service is canceled.
Medical Alert is currently offering free shipping (a $15.50 savings) when you sign on with a semi-annual plan. When you sign on for an annual plan, you will receive free shipping and a free lockbox. Of course, you will also receive a cheaper monthly rate for both plans.
They also have a special promotion right now for a $1 protection plan for your first billing cycle. Typically, the protection plan costs $5 per month, so if you invest in an annual payment plan, you will save $48. What a bargain!
At Home Landline | At Home No Landline | On The Go |
---|---|---|
$22.95/mo | $32.95/mo | $42.95/mo |
View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
Services | Services | Services |
24/7 Monitoring | 24/7 Monitoring | 24/7 Monitoring |
Equipment | Equipment | Equipment |
Landline Medical Alert System | Wireless Medical Alert System | Handheld Medical Alert System |
Battery Backup | Battery Backup | Carrying Case |
Neck Button | Neck Button | Interchangeable Wrist/Neck Button |
Wrist Button | Wrist Button | |
Options | Options | Options |
Lock Box | Lock Box | Lock Box |
Protection Plan | Protection Plan | Protection Plan |
Fall Detection | Fall Detection | Fall Detection |
Standard emergency coverage from Medical Alert offers great value. You can count on their plans and fees to be straightforward. With Medical Alert, you simply pick one of their three available packages, and that’s it! The setup is simple, too. You just plug in the base unit, connect the included phone cord (if you get the landline system), follow a few simple steps, and you’re in business. The only thing that might prevent you from using Medical Alert’s services is if AT&T does not provide phone coverage in your area.4
While you can find other systems that are a few dollars cheaper than Medical Alert’s on-the-go and at-home cellular systems, you might also get nickeled and dimed. With Medical Alert, the plans are inclusive with extra charges for only a few add-ons like fall detection for a monthly $10 fee.
For example, you will have access to Medical Alert Connect, a caregiver app, that provides benefits like real-time notifications when the user presses the help button and GPS location detection that caregivers can track on their own cellphone. Some providers charge an extra fee for these services, but with Medical Alert, the benefits are free. And don’t forget 一Medical Alert does not charge an equipment fee.
While the in-home range, at 800 feet, is average, we consider the price for the landline connection low and the savings especially attractive if you purchase an annual plan.
The take-away 一 be sure that you are looking at the big picture when comparing the value of various systems. With Medical Alert, we think you will find that the value is worth a second look.
Medical Alert is part of the Connect America brand, a nationwide company based outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with over 17 years of experience. We feel their mission of “Connecting is Caring,” really shines through every aspect of their business, but especially in their customer-friendly policies.
The brand is also a member of the Medical Alert Monitoring Association (MAMA).5
The mobile alert system will work anywhere in the United States, provided it has AT&T coverage.
The mobile device is water resistant; it can be used in the shower. However, the help buttons are waterproof, so they can be submerged in a tub.
Medical Alert offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee on all of its medical alert systems.
Not a problem. The response center staff is trained to use a real-time translation service that is capable of translating 140 languages.
If you press the help button and a monitoring center associate is unable to speak with you, they will still dispatch emergency services. A message will also be relayed through the caregiver’s app.
MedicalAlert.com. (Retrieved June 2020). Frequently Asked Questions.
https://www.medicalalert.com/frequently-asked-questions.html
AARP.org. (March 26, 2010). Community Lockbox Program Provides Security In Case Of Emergency.
https://www.aarp.org/home-garden/livable-communities/info-04-2009/lockbox.html
Security Industry Association. (2020). About SIA.
https://www.securityindustry.org/about-sia/
ATT.com. (Accessed June 11, 2020). Cellular Service Coverage Maps.
https://www.att.com/coverage/
Medical Alert Monitoring Association. (2020). Membership Directory “Regular Members”.
https://www.medicalalertmonitoringassociation.com