Medical Guardian Review 2022

Payment options

If you decide to buy a Medical Guardian system, you have multiple payment options. Depending on which system you choose, you can select monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual payments. Choosing an annual payment plan will give you a discount on the overall cost.

Medical Guardian occasionally has special offers for new customers, including a free second button, a lockbox, or a complimentary month of service.

Medical Guardian reviews and customer support

Medical Guardian is regularly ranked among the best medical alert companies. Best Company ranked Medical Guardian as the top company, placing it above 87 other medical alert systems. It gave Medical Guardian an overall score of 9.8 out of 10, and the company has thousands of positive customer reviews. A vast majority of Medical Guardian reviews specifically highlighted the company's excellent customer support and trust-worthiness.

What customers are saying

Medical Guardian also has an outstanding reputation within the medical alert industry.

Medical Guardian has a TMA Five-Diamond Certification, a designation granted annually to monitoring centers that meet stringent guidelines. There are thousands of medical alert companies, but fewer than 200 achieve a Five-Diamond Certification.

To qualify for the certification, monitoring centers must demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to undergo random inspections and meet quality criteria standards
• The highest levels of customer service
• Ongoing job-related education and testing
• TMA membership and participation
• A commitment to reducing false dispatches

Medical Guardian also has an Underwriters' Laboratory Certification, recognizing the company's dedication to safety and reliability.

Medical Guardian customer reviews

How does Medical Guardian work?

Medical Guardian provides around-the-clock emergency help at the press of a button. Simply press your help button, and you'll receive a fast, reliable response from a trained emergency operator. In the case of an emergency, first responders will be dispatched to your exact location and your family or emergency contacts will be notified immediately. If you've pressed the help button but do not need emergency services, your operator will stay on the line with you to assist you or connect you with a family member, neighbor, or caregiver on your contact list.

Warranty information

Your Medical Guardian system is covered by a warranty. This means if your system is affected by general wear and tear and needs to be replaced, the company will send you a replacement system.

You can also purchase a separate protection plan to protect your system from any damages.

Monitoring center

Medical Guardian's monitoring center is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week. While other companies have operators overseas, Medical Guardian's operators are all based in the United States. Medical Guardians emergency operators speak English and Spanish, but can also communicate in other languages through a translation service.

Operators are trained to dispatch both emergency responses and non-emergency assistance. For example, if you need help in your home, an operator can contact emergency services, as well as your friends and family members, on your behalf.

How to choose an in-home medical alert system

If you're looking for an in-home medical alert system for yourself or a loved one, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the many options available. When comparing companies, make sure you look at factors like cost, certifications, required contracts, customer service, and available backup power.

When it comes to the best medical alert companies, Medical Guardian stands out with its superior month-to-month services and US-based monitoring center.

If Medical Guardian seems to be a good fit for you, we can help you figure out which product works best for your lifestyle.

First, consider the places where you need protection. Are you an active adult that needs protection when you're out and about each day? You'll likely want to consider a mobile device that can provide protection wherever you are: the Mini, Mobile, and Active models provide this coverage for you. If you aren't able to leave your house alone, an in-home device such as the Home or Classic models may be a more cost-effective solution.

Do you live alone or have certain conditions that make it more likely you'll experience a fall? Automatic fall detection may be a feature that could save your life. If you have a condition that can make you dizzy or likely to pass out (like diabetes or low blood pressure), affects your ability to move around easily (such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis) or you're at risk of a sudden medical event (like a heart attack or stroke), you should consider adding the fall detection feature to your coverage.

Next, consider how frequently you prefer to charge your medical device. In-home devices don't need to be charged (Home and Classic models have a 30 to 32-hour backup battery in case of a power outage), but mobile devices do. If you're okay with charging a device every day, the Mobile Guardian will work well for you. If you prefer a longer battery life, choose the Mini Guardian or Active Guardian—both will give you up to five days of use before needing to charge the device.

Next, you'll need to consider your budget. Medical Guardian offers a wide range of options for an affordable monthly rate. You never have to worry about activation fees, hidden costs, installation fees or long-term contracts. If you choose to pay annually, you'll get $150 in savings that includes a free month of service, free lockbox, and free shipping. If you consider the cost of long-term care or assisted living, a medical alert system, which can help you stay in your home and be independent, is a great investment. With Medical Guardian, you'll pay less money for more freedom and better quality of life.

Bottom line

Medical Guardian is our top pick for its wide variety of products and services, its record of consistently satisfying customers, and its emergency monitoring center that earned the most trusted certification in the industry.

For those looking for an industry-leading medical alert system they can count on, Medical Guardian will likely be the best choice. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, Medical Guardian may not be the right pick, since Medical Guardian isn't the cheapest brand on the market. But despite its higher price tag, we believe Medical Guardian provides the best value for your buck with the quality it offers.

How we chose Medical Guardian

We chose Medical Guardian as our top pick based on the following criteria:

• Price of installation and monthly service
• Warranties, contracts, and whether it has any hidden fees
• Reliability of monitoring center
• Comfort and wearability of mobile devices
• In-home range of equipment
• Water resistance of wearable devices
• Battery life and recharging requirements
• Ease of installation and use
• Expert opinion
• Customer service accessibility and performance
• Customer satisfaction reviews
• Company reputation
• Special features such as automatic fall detection, smartphone apps for family members, and location tracking

Frequently asked questions

Does Medical Guardian require a contract?

No, Medical Guardian does not require a long-term contract, and you won't be hit with hidden fees, either.

What is the cancellation policy?

You have the freedom to cancel service at any time with no penalty. Customer reviews of other companies frequently cite the difficulty and hidden fees associated with cancellation as a major headache. However, customers of Medical Guardian tend to be very pleased with the ease and flexibility in which they can manage their service.

Does it require a landline?

No, a landline is not required. If you already have a landline, your medical alert system can be connected via a landline. If you do not have a landline, your medical alert system can be connected via cell service.

Is the monitoring reliable?

Medical Guardian's 24/7 emergency monitoring system is designated one of The Monitoring Association's (TMA) Five Diamond Alert Monitoring Centers. This is the gold standard for quality assurance in this industry.

Is Medical Guardian expensive?

In researching dozens of medical alert companies, Health editors found Medical Guardian to be one of the best options that combined high quality products, reliable service, and reasonable prices.

Does Medical Guardian offer fall detection?

Yes, Medical Guardian offers a high-quality fall alert pendant, which you can purchase as part of your plan or as an additional accessory. Fall detection is available with all devices for an extra $10/month.

Are Medical Guardian alert devices water resistant?

Medical Guardian's wearable pendants for the Home and Classic models are highly water resistant, so you can activate an emergency call, even while you're in the shower. Your Mini Guardian is highly water resistant as well, so you can wear your device in the shower, but it shouldn't be submerged and shouldn't be used in salt or chlorine water. Your Active Guardian device is waterproof and is designed for use in the bath or shower.

How much does Medical Guardian cost per month?

Depending on the package you choose, Medical Guardian may cost between $29.95—$44.95 per month. There are no activation fees, installation fees, hidden fees, or long-term contracts. Additional features such as automatic fall detection may add to your monthly cost. A one-time equipment fee of $124.95 is required for the Mini Guardian, but there are no equipment fees for any other available models.

Is Medical Guardian covered by Medicare?

Unfortunately, Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) does not provide coverage for medical alert systems. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may cover some or part of the cost. Contact your plan for more details.

Do I need a smartphone to use Medical Guardian?

No, you do not need a smartphone to use Medical Guardian.

What is Medical Guardian's refund policy?

You can cancel service at any time, with no penalty. If you have purchased equipment, your service will be canceled effective on the day of receipt of a signed cancellation letter via mail or email. If you have not purchased the equipment, you must return all equipment and accessories. Upon receipt of equipment or receipt of the signed cancellation letter, Medical Guardian will issue a prorated refund for any unused service that may have been prepaid.

Kat Tretina is a journalist and copywriter with expertise in personal health and personal finance. Her content has been featured on sites such as Everyday Health, HuffPost, Forbes, Investopedia, and Credit Karma. Kat calls Orlando, Florida home.