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COVID-19 Update: Medical Alerts are considered essential devices during the COVID crisis, so monitoring and customer service centers are still open and ready to help. To learn more about how these and other essential products can keep older adults safe and connected during this crisis, take a look at our list of 10 essential products. |
QMedic is a Boston-based medical alert company known for its innovative help button systems that are designed to improve wear compliance, provide continuous wellness monitoring and deliver the most timely, appropriate response to every call.
QMedic’s systems use advanced monitoring technology developed by MIT scientists to track subscribers’ daily activity and sleep patterns in addition to providing traditional medical alert call response services. If changes are detected in a subscriber’s normal activity levels, the QMedic system automatically initiates a wellness check call, notifies caregivers and escalates the response as required.
Another unique aspect of QMedic’s services is the exclusion of fall detection, which is now a common option on many leading medical alert systems. QMedic’s stance on fall detection is that the technology isn’t currently 100% reliable and that false fall-detection alarms can reduce wearer compliance. Rather than offer fall detection, QMedic’s continuous activity monitoring is designed to detect changes that may indicate a subscriber needs assistance.
QMedic offers one in-home landline-based medical alert system and two cellular-connected help buttons. In this guide we cover each QMedic system, including the devices, monitoring services and pricing.
QMedic Features
In addition to providing subscribers with instant access to QMedic’s 24/7 emergency call center, every QMedic system includes real-time activity monitoring to track activity and sleep patterns. QMedic calls their monitoring service a medical care alert system because it combines traditional help button response services with a complex tracking algorithm, which uses proactive alerts to predict changes in users’ health and wellness.
QMedic operates two U.S.-based call centers located in Utah and Idaho, and the average call answer time is 30 seconds. When an emergency operator responds to a call, they assess what type of assistance the caller needs, and if necessary, the operator dispatches emergency services to the callers’ location. Callers can also ask that a caregiver or neighbor be contacted. If a caller activates their help button and they’re unable to communicate with the QMedic operator, the emergency protocol established upon registration is then activated.
QMedic Medical Alert Plans
QMedic offers three medical alert systems that are leased to subscribers on a monthly or annual basis starting at $30 per month or $300 per year. No long-term contracts are required, and there are no cancellation fees, however, prorated refunds aren’t provided to customers who choose to cancel an annual plan prior to the renewal date.
| At-Home Landline | At-Home Cellular | GPS Mobile | Monthly/Annual Cost | $30/$300 | $30/$300 | $45/400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device Type | In-home base unit and choice of wrist button or neck pendant | In-home base unit and choice of neck pendant or wrist unit | Neck pendant only |
| Range | Up to 1000′ from base unit | Up to 1000′ from base unit | Works anywhere in the United States with good cellular coverage |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 years on a help button; 24 hour battery backup on base unit | Up to 2 years on a help button; 24 hour battery backup on base unit | Up to 14 days |
QMedic Landline Medical Alert System
Device Information
The QMedic landline medical alert system is designed for seniors who need coverage in a small 1- or 2-bedroom apartment or home. It includes a base unit equipped with a speaker, microphone and help button that connects to an existing active landline phone and paired with either a waterproof medical alert bracelet or waterproof medical alert pendant.
The help button battery is non-rechargeable and is continuously monitored by QMedic. When the battery needs replacing, a new help button is shipped to the subscriber at no cost. The base unit is equipped with a battery backup that lasts about 24 hours if a power outage occurs.
Pricing
Subscribers can choose either the monthly billing plan at $30 per month or purchase an annual plan for $300. Each in-home base station can support up to two help buttons for an additional $10 per month; however, activity and sleep monitoring aren’t supported for the second help button.
Cellular QMedic Plan
Device Information
The QMedic cellular medical alert system is designed for at-home use in areas with good cellular coverage. As with the landline based system, the cellular system includes a base unit equipped with a microphone, speaker and help button that’s paired with either a wrist-worn help button or a neck-worn pendant. The base unit works up to 1,000 feet from the wearable help buttons, and a SIM card is included with the QMedic base station.
Pricing
The monthly billing plan costs $30 per month, and the prepaid annual plan costs $300.
Mobile GPS QMedic Plan
Device Information
QMedic’s mobile GPS medical alert system is an all-in-one help button that includes GPS location tracking along with a speaker and microphone to enable two-way conversations through the pendant. The device is connected through an integrated cellular SIM card, and it’s water-resistant for wear in the rain.
Users need to recharge the GPS medical alert pendant every 14 days using the included charging cradle, and service is available anywhere in the United States where there’s good cellular coverage.
Pricing
The mobile GPS QMedic plan costs $45 per month or $400 per year.
Who Should Use QMedic Medical Alert?
QMedic medical alert systems may be a good option for seniors and people living with disabilities who are at an increased risk of suffering from a fall or experiencing a medical emergency. Because QMedic’s systems include 24/7 activity monitoring through a secure online dashboard, these devices can provide caregivers with added peace-of-mind that comes with being able to check up on their loved ones at any time.
Seniors Who Want To Age In Place
While no medical alert system can replace a caregiver, the QMedic system can be used as a tool to help seniors age in place in their own homes by providing ongoing activity monitoring combined with emergency medical alert services. The enhanced wellness tracking services offered by QMedic are designed to be proactive, simple to use and easy to understand.
Caregivers and Other Loved Ones
The QMedic online dashboard gives authorized caregivers and loved ones access to real-time information, such as whether the subscriber is at home, if they’re wearing their medical alert help button, how active they are and how often they contact the QMedic call center. This information can reduce stress on caregivers and help alert family members to any changes in the health and wellness of their loved ones.
Pros and Cons of QMedic
QMedic’s devices and services provide some significant advantages over other medical alert systems, particularly for users who are medically fragile and may benefit from ongoing activity monitoring. That said, QMedic’s monthly monitoring costs are notably higher than many other medical alert services.
QMedic Pros:
- Choice of medical alert bracelet or medical alert pendant for in-home system
- No landline required
- No contracts
- In-home help button batteries are non-rechargable; replacement buttons are free when the batteries are running low
- One-time discount for bulk plans
- Subscribers can cancel at any time without penalty
- Online caregiver dashboard provides 24/7 activity and sleep tracking, mobile phone alerts and voice-call logs
- Abnormal behavior is automatically flagged by the QMedic system
- The in-home help button is waterproof
- Unlimited help button activations included in monitoring fees
- Subscribers can customize the response when a help button is activated by routing calls to a family member, caregiver, neighbor or the QMedic call center
- Monthly and annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee
QMedic Cons:
- No fall detection
- Prices are significantly higher than some comparable medical alert systems
- Some seniors may find the 24/7 activity tracking to be intrusive
- The QMedic activity monitoring system only supports one help button per in-home base unit, so a second complete in-home system with a base unit must be added for spousal monitoring
QMedic may be a good option for seniors and people living with disabilities who want the peace of mind offered by a medical alert device combined with the added protection of a 24/7 activity monitoring device. Consumers should take the time to weigh the pros and cons of QMedic’s services and compare them to other companies before deciding which system provides the best solution for themselves or their loved ones.