Best Medical Alert System in 2020
Medical alert systems, often also referred to as medical emergency response systems (MERS), can offer peace of mind for any individual in an emergency situation. When you require an immediate medical response, having the right medical alert system is absolutely crucial.
But choosing between so many different products can be quite overwhelming, which is why we look at some of the best medical alert systems available in 2020.
We look at what each system offers as well as details on pricing and some of the different plan options that are available with these top-rated medical alert systems. This will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a medical alert system for your loved ones.
Although most systems use a landline to operate, mobile systems and GPS functionality are also available, making these medical alert systems ideal for any environment.
What is a Medical Alert System?
A medical alert system allows you to request immediate medical assistance with the press of a button. In some cases, help can be asked automatically when a fall is detected by the system. The ability to receive medical assistance is especially beneficial for the elderly and it also gives loved ones peace of mind, knowing that their parents or family members will get the help they need as fast as possible.
There are many companies around the world that offer these medical alert systems, so we compared the best and list their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Here is our list for the Best medical alert systems in 2020:
- MobileHelp
- MediHill
- Bay Alarm Medical
- LifeOne
- Medical Guardian
- Alert1 Medical Alert System
Mobile Help
Mobile Help offers a range of reliable medical alert system options, with the benefit of not charging extra for cellular in-home systems. This makes Mobile Help one of the most cost-effective systems when you opt for the Classic Plan with a cellular connection. As an added bonus, Mobile Help also currently offers a free lockbox to all of its customers. Mobile Help has an average user rating of 4.7 and is the leading provider of Mobile-Personal Emergency Response Systems in the United States.
Pros
- No landline needed for any device
- Range of premium features
- No additional charge for cellular connections
- Monitoring available 24/7
- Two-way communication available
- No long-term contracts
- No costs for equipment with service plans
Cons
- Activation fee payable for some customers
- Not all devices offer fall detection
Pricing
Mobile Help offers different pricing options, depending on the package you take. Pricing ranges from $19.95 – $59.45 per month, with an additional $10 per month for fall detection. There are six different pricing plans available and this can be paid for on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Free shipping is available on all plans except the monthly options.
Current pricing options are as follows:
- Classic: $19.95 per month
- Wired Home: $24.95
- Solo: $37.95 per month
- MobileHelp Duo: $41.95 per month
- Mobile Duo: $44.95 per month
- Touch: $59.45 per month
Summary
Mobile Help offers a lot of value for money with inexpensive device options. For seniors without a landline, this is a great medical alert system and it also comes with plenty of extra features. Mobile Help definitely stands out among many other competitors and has an excellent customer feedback history.
MediHill
MediHill has an A+ consumer rating at the Better Business Bureau and uses modern technology to offer nationwide medical assistance at the push of a button. The company offers a range of solutions and this includes cloud-based monitoring as well as free translation services.
MediHill is an industry leader and offers support in more than 140 languages. With in-home and portable products available, MediHill offers an immediate response that includes fall detection and devices that can be personalized to your needs.
Pros
- Assistance 24/7 nationwide
- Subscription plans come with free equipment
- Free shipping with an annual subscription
- No hidden fees
- Equipment can be customized to your needs
- Two-way communication available
- GPS technology used on portable devices
- No long-term contracts
Cons
- Annual plans can be costly
- Setup fees payable on some monthly plans
- A $150 replacement fee is charged for damaged equipment
Pricing
At MediHill you can choose different pricing plans based on the service option you choose. Pricing ranges from $24.99 – $35 per month. The company also offers free shipping and free activation on all orders.
Current pricing options are as follows:
- In-Home Options: $24,99 – $29.99 per month
- Portable Equipment: $35 per month
- Fall Detection: $10 per month
Summary
MediHill offers a range of medical alert system solutions for seniors that are affordable and reliable. With a great review rating and fair pricing, MediHill is a great option for anyone looking for premium medical support for their loved ones. MediHill has no hidden fees and state of the art equipment, you can rest assured that your elderly loved ones will have help available when they need it most, with a call center that operates around the clock and friendly support agents.
Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm Medical is known for having great customer service and a reliable call center. They offer low-cost packages starting from $19.95 per month, making them a very affordable option. In terms of ratings, they have an average rating of 4.7 when you look at Google.
This innovative company has products with built-in battery backups that can kick in when there is a power failure, supported by mobile app options and a web-based dashboard. This makes it easy to keep track of users wherever they are.
Pros
- Mobile GPS features available
- Automatic fail detection feature
- A U.S.-based monitoring system
- Nationwide coverage available 24/7
- Remote answering feature
- Multilingual support for 54 languages
- An in-car medical alert system
- Two-way communication abilities
- Three redundant call centers
Cons
- Full-service packages are costly
- Mobile GPS option is an additional cost
- Landline plans are the most affordable
Pricing
Bay Alarm Medical has different pricing options available, depending on the package you take. Each offers different features and you have the option of paying no upfront fees if you take out a contract. Packages range from $19.95 – $59.95 per month, with an additional $10 for automatic fall detection.
Current pricing options are as follows:
- In-home Medical Alert: $19.95 per month
- Mobile GPS Help: $24.95 per month
- In-Car Medical Alert with Auto Crash Detection: $29.95 per month
- Complete Protection Package: $59.95 per month
Summary
As one of the leading companies supplying medical alert systems, Bay Alarm Medical offers a reliable service that is backed by a solid reputation. With a history spanning more than 70 years, the company is family-owned and operated, making them a leading choice for elderly loved ones. In 2018, Bay Alarm Medical was voted The Best Medical Alert Service Provider.
LifeFone
LifeFone has been in business since 1976 and has a great reputation for being a reliable provider of medical alert systems. The company has an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and have a U.S.-based workforce that offers around the clock assistance.
The LifeFone system comes with a 30-day battery life, making it ideal for seniors who don’t want to worry about charging their devices constantly. One great benefit of LifeFone is that it is ideal for couples who don’t want to pay double for their at-home medical alert systems with the On-The-Go-GPS combo.
Pros
- Free coverage for spouses
- Long-lasting battery life
- No long-term contracts
- Landline and cellular options
- Low fall-detection cost
- High-quality equipment
- In-home system range of 1,300 ft
Cons
- Slightly higher monthly costs compared to other providers
Pricing
Pricing for the LifeFone ranges from $24.95 – $39.99 per month. There are plenty of extras available, including lockbox options, wall-mounted buttons, and mobile apps for families. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Current pricing options are as follows:
- At-Home Landline: From $24.95 per month
- At-Home Cellular: From $30.95 per month
- At-Home & On-The-Go GPS: From $36.95 per month
- At-Home & On-The-Go GPS, Voice in Necklace: From $39.95 per month
Summary
LifeFone is a very customer-centric provider with no long-term contracts to lock you in. They use state-of-the-art technology and easy to understand terms that make them a preferred provider of medical alert systems. The company also offers free spouse monitoring, which is a unique feature, as well as the lowest cost for automatic fall detection.
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian has an average Google user rating of 4.4 and an A+ consumer rating at the Better Business Bureau. The company offers various packages as they know that everyone is different and so are their needs. Their systems are designed to be customized according to specific needs and they offer various accessory packages for portable GPS and in-home devices.
The innovative fall-detection technology from Medical Guardian will alert your monitoring company even when you are not able to call for help. With waterproof bracelets, pendants, and watches, Medical Guardian has been designed to offer a comprehensive medical alert system for your loved ones. The company also offers packages for elderly homes where multiple seniors need coverage.
Pros
- Assistance available 24/7
- 32-Hour battery backup
- GPS enabled portable equipment
- Wireless and landline connectivity available
- Fall detection available
- No contracts required
- Two-way communication
- No activation or shipping fees
- Free equipment
Cons
- Premium packages somewhat expensive
- Only premium packages have activity sensors
- Limited distance range on some equipment
Pricing
With Medical Guardian there are no equipment costs, except for the watch that has a once-off cost of $99. If you take out a contract you can enjoy a price lock guarantee on the monitoring service costs. There are various packages available from Medical Guardian and packages specifically for travel use.
Pricing ranges from $29.95 – $79.95 per month and the three options for on-the-go monitoring range from $39.95 – $44.95 per month. Fall detection options are an additional $10 per month. All portable devices are GPS enabled and pendants have built-in speakers to allow for two-way communication.
Summary
For any senior looking for peace of mind with waterproof devices and two-way communication, Medical Guardian is the ultimate option. With fall detection and GPS enabled devices, loved ones can get peace of mind knowing that their family members are protected. Plus, equipment comes at no cost, and homes with multiple seniors can enjoy protection with customized packages.
Alert1
Alert1 is a popular medical alert system with more than 30 years’ experience in the industry. They have a reputation for being very friendly and giving high-quality customer service with their response systems that operate 24/7. Their response centers are CSAA Five Diamond Certified and they have five different alert device system options available.
Alert1 offers fall detection and no limits on monthly button pushes – but they currently don’t offer activity detection. They offer a Home Medical Alert option that uses a landline, DSL, or VoIP, along with Home Fall Detection and Mobile Medical Alert with on-the-go coverage via a cellular network.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Support in 190 languages
- 30-Day refund policy
- No long-term contracts
- Free equipment use
- Unlimited talk time and button pushes
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Fall detection
- Speaker in the button
- No landline required
Cons
- No returns after 30 days
- Automatic contract renewals
- No activity detection service currently available
Pricing
With Alert1 your equipment costs will vary depending on the service you select. With various promotions running, the equipment can be anywhere from free of charge to $149. You can choose the self-installation option with shipping that will cost $19.95, or you can select a professional installation that costs $99.95. Special pricing is available for veterans as well as service persons.
Current pricing options are as follows:
- Home Basic: From $16.95
- Home with Fall Detection: From $27.95
- On-the-Go: From $33.95
- On-the-Go with Fall Detection: From $43.95
- On-the-Go with Home Fall Detection: From $49.95
Summary
The basic package from Alert1 offers comprehensive coverage, but seniors can also opt for added services such as medication dispensers and medical ID bracelets. You can also choose emergency lock boxes that allow emergency responders to enter a home. Alert1 is considered to be one of the most affordable medical alert systems available with a list of innovative features that can benefit the elderly.
Who Uses Medical Alert Systems?
Medical alert systems can be used by anyone who may not always have help available with them. This is usually recommended for seniors who may need medical support while living at home, or in an elderly care facility. Most users live alone in their homes, and it’s often difficult for loved ones to know when there is a medical emergency, making a medical alert system essential for elderly people.
In the event where an elderly couple lives together, these systems are utilized in situations where one person is out running errands or visiting friends, while the other is at home.
How Do Medical Alert Systems Work?
There are different types of medical alert systems available to be used in- and outside the home.
In-Home Medical Alert Systems
Traditional medical alert systems are used in the home and require a landline to be able to connect with a support center. The systems are installed by connecting them to a phone jack and a power outlet. You can also opt for a cellular in-home system where a landline is not available, which will use a cellular connection to work. They often look exactly the same as traditional systems.
Both types of in-home systems make use of a stationary base station that offers a two-way speaker to communicate with monitor personnel. You can also opt for a pendant or button to be worn around the neck or wrist, so it’s important to consider the range of the base station, especially since many falls occur outside the home. The average range of most systems is up to 1,300 ft.
Mobile Medical Alert Systems
These systems are ideally suited for people who want to have access to medical help when they are not at home. These systems have a two-way speaker with a button that can be pressed for help. The devices are usually compact – smaller than a mobile phone – and use a cellular signal to connect to trained personnel. Cellular providers do not typically charge additional fees to use mobile medical alert systems.
Some mobile systems are also GPS enabled, which is a helpful feature that allows staff to locate a user through their GPS signal from their medical alert device. This can also be a great help if the individual is unable to verbally communicate when they are hurt or have a medical emergency.
Medical Alert Smart Watches
A more recent addition for most service providers is a medical alert smartwatch. These devices look very modern and use sophisticated technology to ensure that your loved ones are safe. These systems typically work independently from a mobile phone and there are no additional cellular fees.
These devices are easy to wear, comfortable, and discreet. They can be life-saving and also operate as a functional watch and activity tracker. They can also be set up to provide medication reminders.
Automatic Fall Detection
Automatic fall detection is a feature that should definitely be considered for any elderly person. These devices use sophisticated accelerometer technology to automatically detect a fall and place a call to monitoring personnel, without the user having to press a button. Although false alerts may sometimes occur, this gives a lot of peace of mind to family and loved ones.
Who Responds to a Call for Help?
When a loved one presses their button, or if an automatic fall alert is given, the call is answered by a real person in a monitoring center. Most providers have multiple centers located across the United States that are either their own in-house teams or contracted to work with the service provider. In the event of an emergency, the monitoring personnel will sta on the line with the user while medical assistance is contacted. They can also contact family and friends according to the notification preferences of the user.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Alert Systems
Are there monthly fees for medical alert systems?
Yes. This is mainly for two reasons, you will often get the equipment free of charge, so the monthly fee is essentially for renting the equipment. Paying a monthly fee also gives you peace of mind knowing that if help is needed, someone will always be there.
Can a medical alert system keep my loved ones safe?
While these systems can’t prevent your elderly loved ones or parents from getting hurt, it can offer immediate medical assistance when a medical emergency occurs. It can also allow you to be alerted the moment something happens, which is one of the main reasons why families choose these services.
What happens if my loved one doesn’t want to wear the device?
It can be frustrating to find out a loved one isn’t wearing the medical alert device you’ve gotten them. But start by finding out what they aren’t wearing it. Is it too uncomfortable? Did they simply forget? Are they too embarrassed to wear it? You can then change to a smaller or more comfortable device, or even change to have them wear a lanyard if they prefer, or even a pendant, or a smartwatch. You can also have additional wall buttons installed in high-risk fall areas throughout their home.
Can I avoid being locked into a long-term contract?
Yes. Many service providers offer a month-to-month option whereby you don’t have to sign any contracts. You may have to pay a fee for the devices in some cases, but most service providers offer you the ability to choose a monthly option, as well as a semi-annual, bi-annual, and annual option.
In Conclusion
Medical alert systems are often also referred to as an alert button, personal alert button, medical emergency button, alert pendant, medical alert bracelet, or senior alert system. These systems are becoming crucial for any elderly loved one who may need medical assistance at any time. It gives family members peace of mind, knowing that help is only a push of a button away, and in many cases, help can be alerted without the individual having to push any button.
The process of finding the right medical alert system can be challenging, but knowing what to look for and what providers are known for their reliability and advanced technology will make this decision so much easier and you’ll be able to give your loved ones the support they need when they need it most.