Best Medical Alert Systems of 2025

Medical alert systems are devices that contact emergency assistance when activated. They are often made up of a base unit and an emergency help button, which can be worn on a lanyard or bracelet. However, some systems are contained entirely in the wearable device.

When activated, the system can connect you to a trained emergency response operator, relative or friend.

Medical alert systems are designed for use either at home or both at home and on the go. They can be monitored or unmonitored, come with or without fall detection features and connect to either home-based landline or cellular networks.

How do medical alert systems work?

In a technical sense, medical alert devices generally use small radio transmitters to contact their base stations (if applicable), which use cellular or landline networks to connect with monitoring centers or emergency contacts.

In a more practical sense, here’s what you can expect when using a medical alert device:

• Users generally wear a help button somewhere on their person at all times so they can signal for help when they need it.
• If an emergency occurs, the user presses the button to signal for help. (Systems with fall detection may sense that help is needed without any signal.)
• What happens next depends on whether your system is monitored or unmonitored:
  • Unmonitored systems should automatically reach out to a predetermined number (commonly either emergency services or the user’s emergency contact) to summon help.
  • Monitored systems generally route the user’s signal through a trained emergency operator, who talks to the user (if possible) and determines what type of assistance is required (caregiver, fire, police or medical) before calling for help. These operators usually stay on the line until help arrives.

Who should have a medical alert system?

Medical alert devices are often used by those at risk of serious falls (such as older people and those with injuries) or with medical conditions that can leave them unable to call for help when it’s needed.

If you or someone you love has an increased risk of needing emergency help, getting a medical alert system (sometimes called a personal emergency response system) may be worth the cost.

A medical alert system may be especially helpful if the intended user:

• Lives alone or spends a great deal of time alone (older adults are more isolated than ever)
• Has difficulty using a telephone
• Has any form of dementia

About 25% of people age 65 or older fall every year, and roughly 10% of falls result in serious injuries. To determine your or your loved one’s fall risk, try answering a few questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many medical alert devices also offer additional health or safety features that many people benefit from, including GPS tracking, medication reminders, weather notifications and caregiver aids. If any of these options appeal to you, be sure to keep them in mind as you shop for a medical alert device.

» RELATED: When should your aging parent wear a medical alert device?

Medical alert system costs

While medical alert systems vary in cost, the following fees are typical:

• Equipment fees ranging up to $300 (if they’re not waived as part of your monitoring contract)
• Monthly monitoring fees starting at about $20 to $60 per month without add-ons (like fall detection, which usually costs about $10 more per month)
• Activation fees of up to $200, if applicable
• Installation fees of up to $100, if applicable

A medical alert system can be a smart investment for anyone who lives alone.

Even though these costs may seem high, a medical alert system is often a smart investment, especially if it can delay a move to a long-term care facility.

If you prefer aging in place to other senior living options, products like medical alerts, walk-in bathtubs and hearing aids can make your home safer and more accessible as your needs change. The cost of aging in place is also relatively affordable compared with the cost of assisted living, which averages around $4,300 per month.

You can learn more about elder care planning by checking out our other buyers guides and resources.

Monitored vs. unmonitored medical alert system costs

• Unmonitored systems generally cost a few hundred dollars upfront. You own the equipment, and there's no recurring monthly fee.
• Monitoring systems have a recurring fee, usually between $20 and $60 per month, and some companies offer packages with free equipment if you have an active monitoring subscription. New customers often get a price break if they enroll in a monitoring contract with a yearly payment plan.

Does insurance cover medical alert systems?

While most types of health care coverage do not cover medical alert systems, there are some possible exceptions, like long-term care insurance, Medicare Part C and VA health care. Contact your insurance company or coverage provider directly to find out if help is available.

Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?

Medical alert systems are not covered by Medicare parts A or B or Medicare supplemental insurance. Some Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C) may reimburse certain patient groups for the cost of a wearable device.

It’s also worth mentioning that ConsumerAffairs can’t direct buyers to Medicaid-eligible systems, and any brand you contact will typically refer you to your Medicaid caseworker for further guidance.

Alternatively, long-term care insurance may also provide reimbursement for medical alert systems.

How to save money on a medical alert system

1. Look for discounts: Many companies offer senior, veteran or promotional discounts. You can also find seasonal sales or bundle deals.
2. Choose unmonitored systems: If you don’t need 24/7 professional monitoring, an unmonitored system may save you money on monthly fees.
3. Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to ask for waived fees or discounts when signing a contract.
4. Consider a long-term contract: Some companies offer reduced rates for annual or multi-year contracts.
5. Avoid unnecessary features: Only pay for features that are essential to your or your loved one's needs.

How to choose a medical alert system

According to Michelle Rankine, the owner of Right at Home in Lewisville, Texas, a care provider for older adults, one thing to consider when purchasing a medical alert system is your budget.

According to Dr. Rankine, when thinking about features you want in a medical alert system, also consider GPS monitoring, battery life, wearable options such as pendants or built-in watches, activity tracking and whether or not the alert system has app capability for family members to check in.

Pros and cons of medical alert systems 

Medical alert systems have many benefits, but they also come with some potential drawbacks. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide if a medical alert system is the right choice for you or your loved one:

To update our top picks, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a weighted scoring system that took into account both reviews from ConsumerAffairs users and specific company offerings we researched. We conducted sentence-by-sentence sentiment analysis of thousands of reviews on our site from Nov. 1, 2019, to Oct. 31, 2024, to identify the aspects people care about most — and which companies reviewers are happiest with for each aspect. For medical alerts, these included:

• Staff
• Customer service
• Punctuality

We then carefully selected the most important features consumers should consider before choosing a medical alert device and researched these offerings at each company:

• Average monthly price
• Maximum range of in-home unit
• On-the-go options
• Satisfaction guarantee

The company with the highest score in each category’s uniquely weighted formula was given the “Our pick for” or “Best for” designation. In some cases where a single company received the top score across multiple categories, the company with the next-highest score was named the winner.