ATS No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems: Features & Pricing

Assistive Technology Services, or ATS, is an online medical technology retailer based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The company specializes in supplying consumers with cost-effective technology solutions designed to promote safety and independence among seniors and people with disabilities.

ATS carries an extensive lineup of no monthly fee medical alert systems, also known as non-monitored or self-monitored medical alert systems. These systems use hardware that is similar to the devices offered through monitored personal emergency response services with one major difference — no-fee medical alert systems are not connected to a 24/7 call center, while monitored medical alert systems are.

In this guide you’ll find all the information you need to decide if a no monthly fee ATS medical alert system is the best solution for your needs. We’ve reviewed each of the 10 no-fee emergency call systems sold through ATS and covered the features, costs and pros and cons of each device.

Best Features of ATS Medical Alert Non-Monitored Personal Emergency Response Systems

While each non-monitored ATS medical alert system is unique, consumers must purchase these systems outright rather than lease the hardware as is usually the norm with monitored medical alert systems. This means paying anywhere from $69 to $299 upfront; however, this is a one-time expense.

Over time, the actual monthly cost of owning a non-monitored help button may be significantly lower than the cost of a monitored medical alert subscription, which is one of the reasons why no-fee call buttons are popular with some seniors and their loved ones.

Most non-monitored medical alert systems can be programmed to dial one or more custom phone numbers such as a neighbor, caregiver or family members, although ATS does sell a system that only dials 9-1-1.

ATS No Monthly Fee Help Buttons

ATS sells nine no-fee personal emergency response systems starting at $69,99, 4 which include a full-featured telephone, and 5 without a traditional telephone. Because these systems aren’t connected to a monitoring station, consumers aren’t charged an activation fee and there are no ongoing costs.

ATS also offers an emergency phone hotline dialer, which is essentially a regular corded desk phone that can be programmed to dial one number. We’ve excluded this device from our review as it doesn’t come with a wearable medical alert help button.

ATS No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems With a Full-Featured Telephone

Personal Assistance Voice Dialer II

This no monthly fee medical alert system includes a big-button wired telephone with a lightweight, waterproof panic button that can be programmed to dial up to 30 unique emergency contact numbers, including long-distance numbers. Users can bypass their emergency contacts by pressing and holding the help button for at least five seconds, which triggers a call to 9-1-1.

The telephone base unit is equipped with a speakerphone, adjustable handset volume, ringer light and talking caller ID. There is a 12-hour backup battery in the base to power the unit during a power outage, and up to five panic buttons can be used with the system. The wireless panic buttons can be worn on a lanyard, the enclosed wrist strap or an optional wall mount.

Amplified SOS Emergency Alert Phone

This in-home medical alert system combines a wired telephone with over-sized buttons, an amplified handset and extra-loud ringer with a lightweight, water-resistant help button that works up to 195 ft from the base unit. Up to five extra help buttons can be added, and there is a remote monitoring feature that lets authorized users enter a password to activate the speakerphone feature from another location.

2 Waterproof Wrist or Necklace Pendants Medical Alert System

With a 600′ range between the amplified big-button base unit telephone and the two waterproof help buttons, this system offers a range that’s comparable to many monitored help button devices. Up to six emergency contacts can be programmed, and there is a remote monitoring feature.

Emergency Connect Medical Alert Package

This no-fee medical alert system includes a wired tabletop telephone/base unit with over-sized buttons, a cordless phone, and a panic button that works up to 600′ away from the base unit. The panic button can be worn on the wrist or a lanyard, and it can also be used to answer the telephone. Up to three emergency contacts can be programmed, and there is an integrated digital answering machine and caller ID.

ATS No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems Without a Telephone

Touch N’Talk

This medical alert system includes a base unit that doubles as a charging station, and a long-range help pendant equipped with a two-way speakerphone. There is a 600′ range between the base unit and the pendant, and users can program the device to either call up to four emergency contacts only, or up to four contacts followed by 9-1-1. ATS also sells comparable wall-mounted help buttons that can be placed throughout the home.

SkyAngel 911

The SkyAngel 911 is a small, lightweight personal emergency call system that only calls 9-1-1. This all-in-one device is equipped with a speakerphone, SOS button and GPS tracker that emergency services can use to help locate a caller. The device works using existing cell phone signals, and because it only calls 9-1-1, users don’t need to purchase a SIM card or cellular service plan. It comes in a choice of four colors along with a necklace lanyard and charging dock.

Automatic Fall Detection with Two-Way Voice Pendant

This is the only ATS no monthly fee medical alert system that offers automatic fall detection, a feature that triggers a call to emergency contacts when the wearer suffers a sudden fall. It includes a waterproof fall detection help pendant and a base unit, and an additional pendant can be linked to the system.

Help Dialer 700

Priced at $69.99, the Help Dialer 700 is the most affordable no monthly fee medical alert system offered by ATS. It includes a dial pad that connects to an existing landline paired with two water-resistant help buttons with a 100′ range. There is one pendant-style panic button and one wrist-mounted panic button, and the system is backed with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Guardian Alert 911

Guardian Alert 911 is an in-home help pendant that is factory-programmed to call 9-1-1 when the button is triggered. The pendant is powered with one AAA battery that lasts up to one year and can be replaced by the user, and the base unit plugs into any standard landline phone jack. There is a speakerphone in the help pendant, and the device can be worn on a lanyard, carried in a pocket or mounted on a belt clip.

Who Should Consider a No-Fee ATS Medical Alert System?

ATS no-fee medical alert systems may be the right solution for those who want the protection of a personal help button, but who are reluctant to sign up for a monitored medical alert service. This could include people who only need a medical alert device for a few months following an injury or illness, and those who may feel uncomfortable calling a stranger for help.

Non-monitored or self-monitored medical alert systems can be ideal for seniors who live with, or near, family members, as well as seniors who have a neighbor or caregiver nearby who is available to assist in an emergency.

The no-fee 9-1-1 personal help buttons could be useful for lone workers, runners, commuters and those who are concerned about their safety as these devices are small, discrete and don’t involve ongoing monitoring fees.

Pros and Cons of ATS Non-Monitored Medical Alert Systems

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a medical alert system, and finding the right system can make all the difference in an emergency situation. Take a look over this list of pros and cons before deciding if BrickHouse Alert is the best option for you or your loved ones.

Pros of ATS No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems:

• No ongoing monthly medical alert bills
• Users can customize their emergency contact list, which may include 9-1-1 (with most systems)
• Some no monthly fee medical alert systems cost less than a few months of monitored medical alert services
• No credit checks
• Users don’t need to provide a credit card for pre-authorized payments as is required with many monitored emergency call systems
• Additional users can be added to most base units by purchasing extra help buttons
• Most systems are compatible with landline phones as well as cable phone and VoIP phone service
• No monthly medical alert systems are ideal for seniors and people with disabilities who need a device they can use to call a neighbor, family member or caregiver for help

Cons of ATS No Monthly Fee Medical Alert Systems:

• Consumers must purchase their medical alert hardware, which can cost between $69.99 and $299.99
• The range between the base unit and help button is limited on many of these systems
• Users are responsible for maintaining their own system, which may include replacing batteries, performing regular system checks and troubleshooting issues
• Unlike with a monitored medical alert system, there’s no guarantee that a call for help will be answered with a no monthly fee medical alert system
• The devices tend to be somewhat dated
• No medical alert smartwatch offered
• Some of the devices can be difficult to program
• No caregiver monitoring app
• Once the factory warranty on the device expires, consumers are responsible for repair and replacement costs
• Only one mobile non-monitored help button available through ATS
• Consumers without a landline phone need to purchase a cellular adapter and a mobile phone plan to use any of the ATS no monthly fee in-home medical alert systems

Although ATS no monthly fee medical alert systems don’t include 24/7 emergency monitoring services, these systems could be ideal for certain situations. Seniors and people with disabilities who dislike the idea of calling a stranger for help, those who don’t want to deal with recurring monitoring costs, and users who simply need a wearable panic button they can use to call a family member, friend or 9-1-1 may find that a no-fee help button meets their needs.