Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical Reviews

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Written by Kathryn Parkman
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Edited by Justin Martino

About Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical is a company that specializes in providing medical alert systems and services. It offers home-based and mobile systems with 24/7 professional monitoring services. In-home systems are leased with no upfront costs and must be returned when you cancel. Monthly fees start between $24.95 and $37.95.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • GPS tracking capabilities
  • Optional fall detection
  • Caregiver tools
Cons
  • Upfront equipment charge (most systems)
  • Not all devices are 100% waterproof

Featured Reviews

New York, NY
Verified purchase
I purchased the mobile plus SOS package with caregiver tracking and fall detection for $39.95/month plus lockbox. The set up instructions were easy and initial tests were answered...

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Gibsonia, PA
Verified purchase
… The few times it was used, the service was very prompt and given in a very kind and calm way. And when we tested the system on occasion, it was always an easy process. The retur...

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Bay Alarm Medical alert systems

Bay Alarm Medical costs and features

Bay Alarm offers four different medical alert devices: SOS All-In-One, SOS Mobile, SOS Smartwatch and SOS Home. Monthly costs start at $24.95 for the SOS Home and increase to a starting cost of $37.95 for the SOS All-In-One.

You can add fall detection to Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Mobile, SOS All-In-One and cellular SOS Home packages for an extra $10 per month plus a one-time $30 equipment fee. Bundle packages, which come with mobile fall detection plus wireless wall buttons, are available starting at $39.95.

We like that there’s no charge if you trigger the alarm by mistake. However, it does cost extra for a warranty plan. With the warranty, you get one free device replacement per contractual year and 50% off accessory replacements, so it might be worth it.

Keep in mind that you might have to pay more if your modem is incompatible with the device. “It will now cost us $10 more per month unless our Verizon provider can install another modem that is compatible, which I’m in the process of checking now,” a reviewer in Florida said.

How Bay Alarm Medical works

Bay Alarm medical alert systems consist of a base station and wearable help button, which can be in the form of a pendant or wristband. When a person experiences an emergency or requires assistance, they press the help button on the wearable device.

Once you’re connected to the monitoring center, the operators dispatch appropriate assistance, such as contacting family members, friends or emergency services.

Medical alert systems are designed to provide assistance and peace of mind, particularly for older adults or people with medical conditions who may require immediate help in case of an emergency. With fall detection, the device can automatically detect a fall and trigger an alert to the monitoring center, even if you’re unable to press the help button.

A reviewer in Minnesota purchased a Bay Alarm system for their mother and was happy with the response she received after falling.

“She had fallen in her home and was stuck between the chair and table,” they said. “Bay Alarm contacted us immediately and we were able to get to her promptly and help her. They stayed on the line and relayed from us to her on the estimated time for us to arrive. It helped relieve her anxiety knowing someone was on the line with direct communication.”

Bay Alarm Medical caregiver app

Bay Alarm’s app (included in SOS Mobile and SOS All-In-One) lets you get notifications, track your loved one’s location and more. A reviewer in Pennsylvania highlighted that multiple people can log in to it at the same time — a convenient feature for aging parents who have multiple children.

The app also lets you make changes to your emergency contacts and home entry information, and it sends you notifications when the system’s battery is low.

A reviewer in Louisiana said the tracking app is “kinda confusing,” but a reviewer in California said tech support is very helpful if you contact them with any questions about it.

Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert

Compare Bay Alarm to similarly rated medical alert companies.

Bay Alarm Medical FAQ

What is Bay Alarm Medical?

Bay Alarm Medical is a home health care service based in Concord, California. It is part of the Balco Properties family of companies.

What is Bay Alarm Medical’s refund and cancellation policy?

Bay Alarm Medical doesn’t hold customers to contracts, so you can cancel at any time without cancellation fees. However, it’s important to note that your account will not be canceled until the equipment has been returned and processed.

Only then does Bay Alarm Medical refund any unused months, minus shipping costs. If you get the quarterly or annual plan and cancel early, Bay Alarm will prorate your refund, minus shipping or any promotions. Be aware that the company requires three months of paid service for free shipping.

How long does it take to get a response once the device is triggered?

Bay Alarm Medical’s average response time is about 45 seconds, and most calls are answered in less than a minute.

Does Medicare, Medicaid or insurance Bay Alarm Medical alert systems?

No, Medicare doesn’t cover any of the emergency alert devices, but long-term care insurance might.

Does it cost extra to add my spouse to the monitoring service?

No, free spouse coverage is included in Bay Alarm Medical’s packages.

Is Bay Alarm Medical a good company?

Bay Alarm Medical is a good option for older adults who want a wearable help button. Upfront costs are a little higher than other top medical alert companies, but we like that Bay Alarm has a 15-day risk-free trial, no long-term contracts and GPS location tracking for no additional fee. It’s also one of our top picks for medical alerts with fall detection.

Bay Alarm is easy to set up and has excellent service, but “the device is sensitive so it takes a little getting used to find the best spot to wear, carry or attach it,” according to a reviewer in New York.

» LEARN: Questions to ask a medical alert company

Bay Alarm Medical Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 5
    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed Jan. 22, 2025

    I initially came across Bay Alarm after experiencing a heart attack when I was home alone. My sons were quite concerned and started looking for solutions to ensure help would be available should I need it. Bay Alarm seemed like a good fit as it allows me to push a button and communicate with help quickly.

    I've found the system to be quite responsive. In fact, it responds a bit too quickly sometimes. While wearing it, I accidentally pressed the button without realizing it, and they almost dispatched paramedics to my location. This sensitivity makes me a bit hesitant to wear it all the time, although it is comforting to know they are so responsive.

    I have tested the system a few times by intentionally pushing the button and was able to communicate easily. However, the accidental activation has led me to keep the device nearby rather than wearing it, as it can be triggered without my knowledge.

    One strange aspect is the light indicator which blinks frequently when it's not in use, seemingly consuming battery life, requiring frequent charging. The Bay Alarm device is a great idea, and it seems to be of high quality. Because when I accidentally pushed the button, I wasn't even home. And they were able to find me and try to get help for me.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceFall DetectionStaff

      Reviewed June 6, 2024

      I got a wonderful response from Bay Alarm. I got follow-up calls and not the harassment type. Every couple of weeks, Rachel, the person I worked with, would check in with me. I'd tell her we're not quite ready or we're working through this or that. And she would say she would get back to me in a week or a couple of weeks. And that's exactly the way that it happened. I've had very good luck with Bay Alarm’s customer service. I got the medical alert for my father who is almost 104 and still living independently and right now, it’s sitting on the dining room table. He wears it when he thinks about it. So it's not functioning the way that it's supposed to. He knows he can wear it. It is just forgetting to put it on. Part of it is he doesn't care for the pendant because when he walks, he says it beats against his chest. We have not a stubborn person but someone very much of his own mind. So we just keep working with it.

      Dad is still able to make his own decisions and he understands the consequences of not wearing it. What happens, happens. That may sound callous, but you can only do so much, short of someone being there and putting it on him every day and I'm not willing to go that route. I understand that there's danger but life isn't danger-free. So, wearing the medical alert or not wearing it isn't going to keep him from falling. It isn't going to keep him from injuring himself.

      The only advantage to him wearing it is he has access immediately to help and that has always been my concern, that he's not just lying there for 24 hours. He wouldn't lie there that long because my brother lives across the street, is in and out of the house or calling him often, particularly on the days when my sister and I are not there. I would like for him to wear the medical alert all the time but I'm not gonna nag him about it so that we have hard feelings. I'll check with him and say that I noticed it has been on the dining room table the last few days that I've been here. I will ask him what the deal is and we'll have a conversation.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceFall Detection

      Reviewed May 24, 2024

      I'm a little more careful since I got my Bay Alarm device and I feel more safe. Also, the price is reasonable at $39 a month. When I had to use it one time, it was good though it made me update some of my information. It really wasn't an emergency, but I couldn't get ahold of anybody without calling Bay Alarm and my phone wasn't within range. They couldn't just call a neighbor for me because that neighbor wasn't on the list and I didn't have the phone number. So I updated some other information that maybe next time they won't have to call the fire department. They can just call my neighbor to come and help me.

      Other than that, the neck pendant works fine and I use that at night. But the other one that's like an elastic which you're supposed to wear on your wrist, I hooked it to my bra strap. It's not visible and yet I can get to it. It's not the most ideal situation but it works. I forget to test it sometimes, so I wish there was an automatic testing. I know they check it every Saturday but I don't know that they do it. So I don't know that it's still working. When I put it on in the morning, I would think of pushing that alarm to see if it's working. They called me one time when I had the power shut off for several hours which happened to be on a Saturday. They said I had disrupted service and I told them I didn't have any power for five hours that day. But I would prefer some other kind of back up instead of me just pushing the button and having it tested.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed April 1, 2024

      The Bay Alarm device was very helpful to have, because at the last, my neighbor's heart was failing and so she'd get up and try to walk to the bathroom and slide to the floor. She would push the button, and she couldn't hear them so she couldn't tell them because the thing was in the living room and she was in her bedroom. I'm the closest neighbor and Bay Alarm would call me, and I'd get up and go lift her up. She was only 110 pounds, so most of the time, I could lift her up and we were all right. My neighbor was going to get one of the necklace alarms that they could talk to her on, and that would have been fine but she passed away before she could do that.

      The alarm is wonderful to have. I was very grateful that my neighbor had it. I appreciated that she didn't just have to sit there. But sometimes, if they couldn't get ahold of me right away, they would call the ambulance because I’d have to get up and get dressed and walk down there. So a couple of times, we got surprised with the ambulance too, but that was okay. It was kind of testy at three o'clock in the morning, and I had to kind of wake up, but it's all right. I couldn't be there and here with my mother at the same time. So, it was very reassuring to have the device.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed April 1, 2024

      I've been very satisfied with Bay Alarm. They're a very professional operation and they have been very responsive whenever I have pushed the call button. I started out with two units -- the little fob that I hang around my neck and the home unit, but I had no need for the home unit so I returned that to them. Unfortunately, there was some confusion when they set up my original connection with them. Somehow, they got my partner's name as the principal name to the account so when I wanted to send that equipment back, they said she had to sign off on it. There was real confusion around that and it took a couple of telephone calls on my part to get it squared away. They put the account in my name, which is where it should have been all the time, and took her name off the account. They got it settled and they gave me credit for returning the equipment.

      Also, I contact them when I wanna know what percentage of battery charge that I have on the fob and they're very responsive but it would be helpful for me if they send a reminder for the battery of my contact alarm unit. They send it to my email on my computer and I rarely go into my computer. I've told them several times it would be really lovely if they could send me a text on my mobile phone because I get those right away and I'd know when that battery is low. They indicated they would tell management about it but nothing has happened. But that's my only concern as far as the ongoing service. Other than that, the voice quality is excellent and hearing quality is excellent. No problems.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed March 4, 2025

      Purchased the watch late in 2024. It for some reason would turn off and I would have to call to "reset" it. Holding the black button for a certain amount of time to restart it. This has happened 3 times. Each time I called, the person who responded was very polite and helpful. Maybe just a bad watch. When the watch is up and running it works well and the service when pressing the HELP button is always good.

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      Verified purchase

      Reviewed Feb. 24, 2025

      I have only one eye which has wet AMD and I find it difficult to attach to my wrist. Also when wearing it at might it frequently comes lose and I find it somewhere in my bed. I have resorted to not wearing it and leave it on my night stand. I would much appreciate a band which fastens like a regular watch.

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      Bay Alarm Medical
      Response from Bay Alarm Medical

      Hello Raymond,

      I’m truly sorry to hear that you're not wearing the alert, and I understand how frustrating that can be. Please know that I have other options for the band that I’d love to discuss with you. I’ve sent an email with my contact information to make it easier for you to reach out whenever you’re ready.

      I’m here to help and look forward to finding a solution that works best for you.

      Resolution In Progress
      Verified purchase

      Reviewed Feb. 13, 2025

      A 2nd Bay Alert was sent to me without my approval nor the approval of my daughter who was charged $66.00 to return it. I initiated the 1st correspondence to this effect. I will be a 100 yrs old March 20 of this year and your company is taking advantage of me because ultimately the $66.00 comes out of my pocket. I did not ask you to send a 2nd package nor did my daughter. All I received for your nasty threats of charging me was $299.00 each month penalty.

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      Verified purchase
      Staff

      Reviewed Feb. 6, 2025

      This system is great, easy to use, 100% reliable, and when we press the button for help, the staff on the line are amazing and so friendly and kind and helpful. My husband pressed it accidently and they were so kind and patient and understanding. I am so happy we found this product and service!

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      Verified purchase
      Staff

      Reviewed Feb. 2, 2025

      Bay Alarm is a good company to go with. I got the medical device in December for my dad and I have better peace of mind. I don't need to worry as much about him on a day-to-day basis. He refuses to use it though. But they're okay.

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      Bay Alarm Medical Company Information

      Social media:
      Company Name:
      Bay Alarm Medical
      Company Type:
      Private
      Year Founded:
      1946
      Formerly Named:
      Bay Alarm Medical
      Address:
      2600 Stanwell Drive
      City:
      Pacheco
      State/Province:
      CA
      Postal Code:
      94520
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.bayalarmmedical.com

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