Medical Alert Review | Plans, Pricing, Pros, and Cons in 2022

Key Takeaways

• On-the-go and at-home options
• No long-term contracts or activation fees
• Life-time warranty on equipment
• Easy setup process
• Variety of plan options
• Packages range from $19.95 to $42.95 per month

No one wants to experience a fall or medical emergency when they're alone with no way to get help.

While some tactics such as eliminating hazards in the home or wearing slip-resistant footwear can help prevent falls from happening, they aren't guaranteed solutions. Friends and family still live with the anxiety that their loved ones could suffer a fall or other medical event and lie helpless with no way to get assistance.

Fortunately, emergency alert systems such as Medical Alert alleviate some of that anxiety. These devices are an excellent way for older adults and their families, friends, neighbors, and caregivers to feel peace of mind knowing that assistance for medical emergencies, burglaries, or fires is just the press of a button away. Medical Alert is one of the best medical alert devices out there, but is it right for you? Our Health editors have thoroughly researched the company and its offerings, consulted with medical experts and geriatric caregivers, mystery-shopped its customer service, and tested and compared the device to other medical alert systems to help you evaluate which is best for you or your loved one.

Medical Alert review

Medical Alert is a comprehensive emergency monitoring system that's popular for its low-hassle setup process, affordable prices, and wide range of plans and options. Its parent company, Pennsylvania-based Connect America, is considered a key player in the medical alert systems market. Along with Medical Alert, it also offers remote patient monitoring and medication management systems.

How it works

The Medical Alert devices connect through a standard landline, modem, or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to reach one of the company's 24/7 emergency monitoring centers around the United States that are certified with Underwriters Laboratories, which creates safety and security standards for emergency centers.

Wearable buttons come in the form of a pendant, bracelet, or clip-on. Family members, friends, neighbors, and caregivers can remotely check the device's status, contact list, and testing schedule through the mobile app. Users can choose to alert someone in their contact list or dispatch an ambulance, police, or fire personnel.

Setup and installation

Setup is fast and easy—all you have to do is plug the base device into a wall outlet or phone cord, depending on whether you're using a landline or wireless system.

Monthly, annual, or semiannual payment plans range from $19.95 to $42.95 per month, and you don't have activation fees or hidden service charges.

An automatic fall detection feature can be added for a $10 monthly fee. Note that the fine print of the company's website says the system doesn't detect 100% of all falls, and users should still press the button when they need assistance.

Pros

• No activation fees or long-term contracts
• Easy setup process
• Emergency response centers 24/7 with multilingual operators
• Money-back, 30-day guarantee
• Waterproof and lightweight button device
• Works on landlines or cellular networks

Cons

• The wearable buttons are a bit bulky
• Fall detection requires an additional fee
• Mobile Medical Alert system may not work if AT&T cell coverage isn't available

Key features

• A 24/7 monitoring system links the user directly to an emergency operator with the touch of a button. Operators are also multilingual and offer translation in 140 languages.
• You get automatic fall detection for an extra $10 per month.
• All button devices are water-resistant.
• You get free ground shipping and a lockbox for the annual plan.
• It comes with a mobile app for friends/family and caregivers.
• For $1 per month, you can add a protection plan to cover up to $350 in out-of-pocket expenses if your system is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Medical Alert Model Prices and Comparisons

Medical Alert models