Medical Alert

Medical Alert Reviews

4.4
1,700 reviews
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Written by Kathryn Parkman
+1 more
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Edited by Justin Martino

About Medical Alert

Medical Alert by Connect America is a professional emergency response monitoring company. Its systems come with a wearable lanyard or wristband that connects to a monitoring center. You can set up your monitoring system through a landline or cellular connection, depending on the device you choose.

Pros
  • GPS Capabilities
  • Optional fall detection
  • No long term contracts
Cons
  • Upfront activation fee
  • Some devices are large

Featured Reviews

Conroe, TX
Verified purchase
Medical Alert is perfect for our parents. My dad had a bad COVID and my mom didn't know what to do. So, she hit the button and they dispatched 911 right away. It's amazing. It's w...

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Willcox, AZ
Verified purchase
… A couple of times I hit the button by mistake, I had an immediate response and that's what I expect. When my husband fell down, I used the button to get the help rather than cal...

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Medical Alert systems

How Medical Alert emergency response systems work

Medical Alert’s systems consist of a wearable button or pendant and a base station. When the button is pressed, it sends a signal to the base station, which connects you to a professional monitoring center. A trained operator answers and establishes communication.

They then assess your situation and send the appropriate help, whether that’s contacting emergency services or notifying designated family members or caregivers.

The direct connection to a monitored call center is a plus for many of Medical Alert’s reviewers on our site. A reviewer in Louisiana had a different device before Medical Alert, “but it was not really monitored and the company would alert [her] sister.”

With Medical Alert, “the call goes straight to someone that's monitoring the device and they can call the fire department, which is about two blocks down from my house. So, when I get on the floor and I can't get up, I don't have to crawl to get the number for the fire department. They call for me and that's what I like about it.”

Other notable company features include:

  • Waterproof help buttons: Wear the help button around your neck or wrist, including in the shower or tub where slips and falls are most common.
  • Personalized response plans: When you press your button, Medical Alert will contact the right person to get you the help you need, whether family, a friend or a first responder.
  • Mobile app: The Medical Alert Connect app allows you to manage your account easily from your phone. Your loved ones receive real-time notification of emergencies, updates and alerts.
  • Fall detection: Fall detection is available for an additional $10/month to automatically sense when you fall and provide fast contact, even if you can't press your button.
  • No long-term contracts: Medical Alert's service has no hidden fees or long-term contracts.  

About Medical Alert’s monitoring centers

Medical Alert’s U.S.-based monitoring centers are staffed by trained operators 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays.

Response centers are TMA Five Diamond-certified and UL-certified. SIA-certified multilingual operators are trained to use the International Language Line for real-time translations in 140 languages. The company is also a member of the Medical Alert Monitoring Association (MAMA).

Medical Alert costs

Medical Alert systems start around $20 to $40 per month, but you can save money by enrolling in an annual or semiannual plan. Annual plans also include perks like free shipping and a lockbox.

There are no equipment costs, but there is a one-time $99.95 programming fee for home and mobile systems and a $159 equipment fee for the Smartwatch. Fall detection is available for an extra $10 per month. For an additional $1 per month, you can purchase a protection plan that covers up to $350 if your system is lost, damaged or stolen.

Keep in mind that your rates might go up over time.

“Everything has gone well when I’ve used them,” a reviewer in Arkansas told us last year. “But I'm 92 years old and I don't like something that goes up $10 a year so I am working on trying to get something that’s not expensive.”

Around the same time, a reviewer in Maine said: “It does the job and it's very useful. But I think they put the price up pretty well. It went up $15 a month.”

How does Medical Alert compare?

Compare Medical Alert to similarly rated PERS companies.

Medical Alert FAQ

Do I have to sign a contract to get a Medical Alert system?

You need to sign a month-to-month monitoring agreement to comply with privacy laws, but no long-term commitment is required. Paying on a longer-term basis can save you money, though.

Are Medical Alert devices waterproof?

Medical Alert’s help buttons are waterproof, so you can continue wearing your pendant or wristband in the shower or the bath. However, your base unit may not be waterproof.

What happens if I accidentally press the emergency button?

The monitoring center confirms whether it was a genuine emergency or a mistake. They ask if you're OK and if there is a real need for assistance. If you confirm it was accidental, they update your account records and take no further action.

However, if they can't reach you or receive an unclear response, they may contact emergency contacts or send help to ensure your safety.

Is Medical Alert’s fall detection reliable?

Medical Alert’s sensors use high acceleration sensors to measure force, barometric sensors to detect changes in pressure and an algorithm to distinguish between a real fall and a false alarm. However, no fall detection is 100% accurate.

“I used my Medical Alert two or three times when I fell down and I couldn't get up. And I was here by myself,” a reviewer in Michigan said. “They came right away, took me in the ambulance, and they started working on me to check me out.”

» COMPARE: Best medical alert with fall detection

Will the cellular system work in my area?

As long as you have adequate AT&T cell coverage in your area, the system should work.

Is Medical Alert a good company?

Medical Alert offers top-rated emergency equipment with three package options: Home System,  Mobile System and Smartwatch. Packages include 24/7 professional monitoring, a two-way speaker, a waterproof button and access to the Medical Alert Connect app.

It's important to note that the upfront costs for Medical Alert are higher compared to our other recommended choices. To get started, there is a $99.95 programming fee.

But other companies charge additional fees for similar mobile features — caregivers can easily monitor the status of their medical alert device, update contact lists, conduct system tests and more — so the costs could even out over time.

» LEARN: Questions to ask a medical alert company

Medical Alert Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceBilling

    Reviewed Aug. 15, 2024

    Customer Service is not a priority for Medical Alert. Their billing system is a labyrinth of fabrications, and lacks either transparency or accountability. Once you're in their system, it is nearly impossible to avoid hidden fees, get charged without notice, or receive refunds for overpayments.

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      Customer ServiceContract & TermsStaff

      Reviewed Aug. 10, 2024

      I've had my Medical Equipment and service for about 2 months, and am satisfied with the operation and service of the equipment. I have a regular neck button, which I seldom use, and a fall-detection device that I wear while in my apartment. The fall-detection works, and is tested monthly. I was very happy with the service until I received a call informing me of "upgrades" that I needed to purchase in the form of price lock guarantees and insurance on the equipment. The agent was rude, insistent, and barely comprehensible due to his accent. I was in the hospital at the time, and did not have access to my contract materials. I had paid for the service annually and told the agent I would review the contract and call them back at my convenience. The agent was rude, and our conversation escalated into a shouting match, at which time I hung up. I am looking at other services to switch to when my current contract is up.

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      Reviewed July 25, 2024

      I wear the alert around my neck, & recommended it to friends. One woman fell, PUSHED the alarm button, & in 10 minutes was taken to the hospital, treated, stayed overnight & was able to return to her apartment. I will always wear it, or keep it at my side.

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      Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

      Reviewed June 5, 2024

      This outfit hires ** scammers who randomly call ** seniors INCLUDING those who are on the national DO NOT CALL list which is a violation of CAN SPAM Act of 2003. Who in sound mind would trust criminals?!?

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      Verified purchase
      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 18, 2023

      Medical Alert is a very good place. The only thing that I was unhappy about was when they called me here a while back, and then sent me this letter saying that we needed the insurance thing if something broke now, it's gonna cost us more. I have to pay $55 a year in case and then I wouldn't have to pay for it. But, to me, that's paying in money that I would have paid if something did break. So I wasn't happy about that at all. I did tell them that if they called me for boosting up something, I was gonna be done with it. But overall, I'm satisfied with it.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 18, 2023

      My wife and I fell on the floor one night and I had to call Medical Alert. But I couldn't get nobody on this thing because electric was out. So I called 911. Medical Alert won't work when electric is off. But when the electric is on, it takes them about five minutes sometimes to respond.

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceMonitoring

      Reviewed June 18, 2023

      Accidentally, I hit my Medical Alert a couple of times. When I hit it, a message came through on that white receiver and I have a hearing problem and I didn't hear it. So, they called me on my regular phone. The fire department was here and the police department within 10 minutes. But I don't wear it every day. I have it placed in a spot where I could just reach it.

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      Verified purchase
      Fall Detection

      Reviewed June 17, 2023

      The device feels just like a neck bracelet. Every month I try to check the button and make sure it's working. Medical Alert gets to me within a minute.

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      Fall DetectionStaff

      Reviewed June 11, 2023

      Medical Alert was the best device for me. I didn't feel pressured from them. A couple of companies were like, “You gotta get this because you're getting old and you live by yourself.” I got the facts that I needed and I went from there. I feel comfortable that if I need them, they're there. They've answered it when I've dropped it, in a positive way. The other biggest benefit I find is I don't have to push the button if I fall. A lot of alerts, you have to activate it, which is all well and good if you're conscious to think about it. It's not so good if you're unconscious. I've recommended Medical Alert to at least a half dozen people.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 8, 2023

      If anything came up, I could always call somebody and that's wonderful.

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      Medical Alert Company Information

      Company Name:
      Medical Alert
      Address:
      1 Belmont Ave, 12th Floor
      City:
      Bala Cynwyd
      State/Province:
      PA
      Postal Code:
      19004
      Website:
      www.medicalalert.com