Medical Alert: Plans, Features & Pricing

Medical Alert is a monitored medical alert provider owned and operated by Connect America, an established Philadelphia-based company that supplies and supports patient monitoring and personal emergency response systems in more than 30 countries.

Medical Alert’s lineup of monitored help buttons includes two in-home systems and a mobile medical alert system. All of the systems are designed to be user-friendly, and the wearable panic buttons are safe to wear in the shower. Automatic fall detection, a feature that triggers a call for help when the subscriber experiences a sudden fall, is available, and pricing for an entry-level system starts at under $20 per month.

In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to decide if a medical alert system from Medical Alert is right for you or your loved one. We cover monitoring costs, features, hardware and optional services, and we’ve also included a comprehensive pros and cons list.

Medical Alert Features

Medical Alert is part of Connect America, an established provider of patient monitoring and personal alarm systems in over 30 countries. The company stands behind all of its products and services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and customers can cancel at any time without penalty.

Medical Alert offers two in-home medical alert systems, one that works with an existing landline phone, and one that connects to the AT&T 4G LTE network. The cost of cellular service for the emergency help button is included in the monthly monitoring fees, and fall detection can be added for an additional $10 per month to any monitoring plan.

In addition to its medical alert systems, Medical Alert has a secure online dashboard called 365Access which gives authorized users online access to information about a subscriber. 365Access can be used to keep track of any calls to the monitoring center and manage the subscription.

Medical Alert’s At Home landline emergency call systems work throughout the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with any compatible landline phone service. Medical Alert uses a toll-free phone number, so subscribers are never charged long-distance fees for calls to the monitoring center.

Medical Alert Plans for Seniors

Medical Alert monitoring plans are available on a monthly, semiannual or annual basis, and all plans include use of Medical Alert’s equipment. Fall detection is available for an extra $10 per month on all plans and systems.

Medical Alert periodically offers time-limited specials such as free shipping and online-only deals for customers who complete their order through the Medical Alert website.

At Home Landline

Device Information

At Home Landline is a basic, in-home medical alert system that includes a base station and either a pendant-style or bracelet help button. The base station plugs into a standard household power outlet along with a landline phone that connects the system with Medical Alert’s monitoring center using a toll-free phone number.

The batteries in the waterproof emergency buttons never need recharging or replacing, and the base unit is equipped with a 32-hour back-up battery to maintain service during power outages. There is a help button on the base unit along with a speaker and microphone.

Pricing

Pricing for the At Home Landline system starts at $18.29 per month based on an annual prepaid plan, making this one of the most affordable monitored medical alert systems on the market today. Subscribers who opt for a semiannual plan pay an average of $19.95 per month, while month-to-month subscribers pay $22.95 per month. Automatic fall detection can be added to any plan for $10 per month, and a device protection plan is available for $5 per month.

At Home No Landline System

Device Information

The At Home No Landline medical alert system connects with the monitoring center using the AT&T mobile network, making it ideal for subscribers who either don’t have a home phone line, or who want more flexibility in where they place their medical alert base unit.

As with the At Home Landline system, the No Landline system comes with a speakerphone-equipped base unit that plugs into any electrical outlet and has an onboard backup battery. Subscribers can choose between a help button pendant or help button bracelet, and both these devices are safe to wear in the shower.

Pricing

Customers can choose between an annual, semiannual or monthly monitoring plan. The annual plan works out to $27.45 per month, while the semiannual plan costs an average of $29.95 per month. At $32.95 per month, the monthly plan is the most expensive option, and automatic fall detection can be added to any plan for an extra $10 per month.

On The Go Medical Alert System

Device Information

Medical Alert’s On The Go medical alert system provides around-the-clock coverage anywhere AT&T cellular service is available. It includes a small base unit equipped with a GPS locator, cellular transmitter, speaker, microphone and help button that’s paired with either a bracelet or pendant help button. The base unit comes with a carrying case and a charging cradle.

Pricing

Costs for the On The Go system start at $32.04 per month based on an annual plan, while semiannual plans cost an average of $34.95 per month. Month-to-month monitoring services cost $37.95, and fall detection can be added to any plan for an extra $10 per month.

Who Should Use Medical Alert Personal Emergency Response Systems?

In-home Medical Alert personal emergency response systems are ideal for seniors who want a way to call for help while they’re at home, even if they are unable to reach a telephone. These systems are maintenance-free, and the monitoring fees are comparable to fees charged by other well-known medical alert providers. For added peace of mind, consider upgrading to a fall detection pendant.

The On The Go system is best suited to seniors, lone workers and anyone else who wants a discrete, easy to wear mobile help button that includes GPS location tracking. Unlike many other mobile medical alert systems that use an all-in-one wearable pendant, with Medical Alert, users can place the larger base unit in their pocket or purse.

Pros and Cons of Medical Alert Devices and Monitoring Services

Before signing up for service with Medical Alert, take the time to consider the pros and cons of the devices and service plans. While Medical Alert is one of the top-ranked providers of personal emergency response systems, their products lack some of the features and options available from other medical alert companies.

Pros of Medical Alert:

• Owned by Connect America, an established, U.S.-based company that provides patient monitoring solutions in more than 30 countries
• Medical Alert offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all hardware and services
• Users can choose between a bracelet or pendant-style help button
• At-home landline systems work throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands 
• Products backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee
• The On The Go system includes a lightweight, discreet dark-colored pendant or wrist-worn help button
• Automatic fall detection available on all devices and plans
• The free 365Access caregiver app sends instant alerts to authorized contacts if the Medical Alert user activates their emergency call button
• GPS location services included (with On The Go system only)
• Call monitoring center uses a real-time translation service to in 140 languages

Cons of Medical Alert:

• To get the lowest possible price, subscribers need to pay for a full year of service in advance
• The battery in the On The Go system base unit needs to be recharged regularly
• No medical smartwatch option
• Unclear what the range between the in-home base units and the help buttons is

With dozens of medical alert companies, help buttons and monitoring plans to choose from, finding the perfect fit for your specific needs can be a real challenge. Take the time to consider how and where your medical alert device will be used, and which features and options are important to you.