Medical Guardian Alert Systems: Cost, Features, and More

Setting Up Medical Guardian

Buying Experience

It seems like it’s getting harder to buy everything these days. You can’t just check out with your XBox at Best Buy. The cashier has to cut off security tags and give the hard sell about purchasing an insurance plan. And have you tried getting a gym membership? That process can take you several hours. You don’t even feel like getting in shape anymore.

Not so, Medical Guardian. Protecting you and your loved ones actually is serious business, but the company manages to make the process simple and straightforward, with a clear intuitive homepage. Products are laid out across this page, and one click on any of them brings up all the pricing information. There’s no complicated paperwork to fill out when you’re signing up. You don’t even have to describe your medical history. All of that comes later. Getting you covered comes first.

Medical Guardian homepage product options

Installation Process

Installing our Medical Guardian systems was just as simple and straightforward. Just to cover all of our bases, we ordered three separate systems: the MGHome 2.0, the MGMini, and the MGMove. After all, we want to provide you with the most comprehensive review we can. You should probably just order the one, though.

Each came in sleek packaging that made us feel like we had ordered Apple products and not medical alert systems. That’s more important than you might think. Plenty of seniors can be put off by medical alert equipment that seems dated or clunky. We all want to feel like companies take us seriously.

My Guardian product boxes

Every Medical Guardian product box comes with very clear and simple instructions. The company offers two ways to set up its products – you can do it online, or you can call and talk to a customer service representative. We, of course, had to try both.

When we did it ourselves online, the setup took just a few minutes. To get to the setup portal online, we scanned the QR code included on the box, but you can also enter the Medical Guardian setup URL into your browser. From there, we entered our information, our product UDI number, and payment information (for our subscription).

Then we tried calling. We got someone on the phone almost immediately, which is good since we’re not great at waiting on hold. The setup process was similar, but it was nice to have someone on the other end of the line walking us through each step.

Maybe the best part of all was that once we had one device set up, all of our other equipment paired with it automatically and populated our online account. From there, we could operate it all through the MyGuardian app (more on that later). As for actually installing the equipment, it all sits nicely on a bedside table, a living room end table, or a kitchen counter. No tools to worry with, and no need for a ladder.

Packages and Pricing

Medical Guardian’s cheapest monthly subscription starts at $32.95. That plan is only available with the MGClassic. The company’s flashier equipment requires higher subscription rates – up to $39.95 if you choose an MGMove. We find these to be fair prices for round-the-clock emergency monitoring, and they’re in line with industry averages.

MGMove and MGHome Cellular order summary

We should also point out that these are full-price rates. You can save a bit with Medical Guardian if you’re willing to sign up for an annual plan. A year’s worth of MGClassic, for example, costs $362.45 upfront for a year. We’ll do the math for you – that works out to $30.20 per month, and if you follow the numbers, you’ll find that works out to one free month of service. Not bad.

MGMini, MGMini Lite, and MGClassic order summary

Medical Guardian charges no setup fees or activation fees, so you’ll save money there as well. There is a one-time equipment fee if you choose an on-the-go system or the MGHome Cellular package, but that’s buying the device itself. Choose the MGClassic, and the equipment is free. Standard shipping starts at $12.50, which will get you your device in seven to 10 business days. You can get it the next day for $25, overnight on a weekday for $35, or overnight on a weekend for $45. Here’s a complete breakdown of what you’ll pay for a system.

Mobile Alert System Features

Medical Guardian devices are similar in safety features. They all have access to support 24/7 and have an incredible range, but there are a few differences among devices. Below are a few things that are unique to each system.

MGMini and MGMini Lite

• Extended battery life, lasting up to five days
• Step tracking with updates on activity
• Hourly GPS location updates
• Wi-Fi positioning to identify location

MGMove

MGMove

• Step tracking
• Weather reports
• Messaging ability using voice
• Reminders

MGClassic

Classic Guardian from Medical Guardian

• 1,300 feet of coverage
• Option to sync with necklace or wristband (included)
• 32 hours of battery power

MGHome Cellular (Home 2.0)

• 1,400 feet of protection
• Option to sync with necklace or wristband (included)

In addition to those unique features, each system comes with the option to add features and equipment. More on that below!

Expert Examined

From Christopher Norman, a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA)

“One especially memorable patient told me that she learned more patience by wearing her medical alert system. She said that after she built up trust in the system over time, she developed more empathy for healthcare workers. I remember her son saying once that this “new” empathy for others was not something she demonstrated for decades previously. Was it the medical alert system? Trust? Consistency? Who can say for sure, but in my opinion the medical alert system certainly played a role in changing this woman’s outlook as she aged.”

MyGuardian App

If you’re looking to summon help, using Medical Guardian equipment is as simple as pushing a single button. More in-depth control is available, though, through the MyGuardian app. That app is designed with seniors in mind. That layout is intuitive. There’s no small text and no odd wording. And Medical Guardian keeps the options reasonable – there aren’t an overwhelming number of adjustments you can make.

Even if you order multiple systems, as we did, it’s easy to keep them organized. When you open the app, you’re presented with a list of your enrolled devices. Of course, different systems come with different features, and when you switch between them, you’ll see modified dashboards. The MGMove, for example, lets us see our system status, our location, a list of our reminders, and our health statistics. Our MGMove dashboard gave us access to our system status, location, and reminders, but didn’t include stats.

MyGuardian app

As you might expect if you’ve been following along to this point, Medical Guardian makes customer service easy, whether you’re looking for help with your system or need to review your bill. Here again, the app is useful. It lets you make payments, change payment methods, set up autopay options, and add new features to your plan. There’s also a way to save emergency medical information so first responders can access it during an emergency.

The bottom line is that this app provides everything you need to keep yourself safe and secure, but it’s simple enough that anyone can use it.

Current Medical Guardian Deals

Medical Guardian usually offers deals themed around holidays or seasons. At the time of this writing, Medical Guardian is offering 50 percent off its MGMini and MGMini Lite systems for summer. Simply enter the code SPLASH50 at checkout or call the company to redeem the offer.

The deal also comes with one free month of service, free standard shipping, and a lockbox (see details below). By the time you read this, the deal may be altered or over, but we still recommend checking the Medical Guardian website for new deals.

Which Medical Guardian System Is Best for You?

Still having trouble deciding which device is best for you? Let’s break it down even further.

Who needs on-the-go medical alert systems?

We recommend on-the-go medical alert systems for people who are constantly on the move. If you’re mobile, active, and are always out and about, these devices are best for you. Additionally, those who have a medical condition or are prone to falling can also benefit greatly from a mobile device, since it’s always on their person.

Who needs home medical alert systems?

At-home medical alert systems are best for homebodies. If you enjoy hobbies and activities at home, this type of system may be best for you. A stationary device is probably more than enough if you’re not prone to falls or have any debilitating medical concerns. For non-seniors living alone who may want some peace of mind, a basic at-home alert system could be worth the investment.

Bottom Line

Medical alert systems are essential devices that help people in emergency situations. The market leans heavily toward seniors — and for good reason — but emergency response systems can be beneficial for people of all ages. The devices provide assistance when no one else is around or when you can’t make it to the phone in time. We see the systems as valuable pieces of equipment that provide peace of mind for people who live alone, have medical conditions, are prone to falls, or just want to feel safe running errands.

Medical Guardian offers five systems, including both on-the-go and at-home devices. Medical alert systems not only help you when you need them most, but they also greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization. We recommend Medical Guardian to anyone looking for top-of-the-line safety features, easy installation, 24/7 support, an intuitive app and online portal, and affordable plans.

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