Medical Alert Reviews
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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.
- GPS Capabilities
- Optional fall detection
- No long term contracts
- Upfront activation fee
- Some devices are large
Featured Reviews
Medical Alert systems
Home Landline System
$19.95 to $27.95 per month
Basic monitoring equipment with a waterproof emergency button. It has an 800-foot range and 30-hour backup battery.
Home Cellular System
$29.95 to $37.95 per month
Cellular monitoring equipment with a waterproof emergency button. It has an 800-foot range and 30-hour backup battery.
Wireless Mobile System
$39.95 to $47.95 per month
Portable access to monitoring centers with a wearable button and GPS technology. It has a battery life up to five days.
Mini Mobile System
Starting at $39.95 per month
Medical Alert's smallest, most lightweight design with advanced GPS location technology.
Smartwatch
Starting at $34.95 per month
Designed to support your healthy, active lifestyle while keeping you connected to assistance 24/7/365. It features GPS tracking, a heart rate monitor, step tracking and optional fall detection.
Fall Detection Pendant
Extra $10 per month
Fall detection technology uses accelerators and barometric sensors to automatically sense a fall.
Connect Mobile App
Included with service
Subscribers and caregivers can view call history, check battery status, contact customer service and more.
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: All Medical Alert systems include access to the Medical Alert Connect mobile app. You can manage your account, track battery status and receive real-time alerts. The app supports GPS location tracking for mobile systems and allows caregivers to monitor multiple users from one account.
- 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 $28 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 key lockbox, so first responders can enter your home quickly without damaging your property.
There are no equipment costs for most options, but there is a one-time $99.95 programming fee for home and mobile systems. There is a one-time $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.
| Home Landline System | Home Cellular System | Mobile System | Mini Mobile System | Smartwatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | $27.95 per month | $37.95 per month | $42.95 per month | $47.95 per month | $39.95 per month |
| Semi-annual plan | $24.95 per month | $34.95 per month | $39.95 per month | $44.95 per month | $37.95 per month |
| Annual plan | $19.95 per month | $29.95 per month | $34.95 per month | $39.95 per month | $34.95 per month |
| One-time programming fee | $99.95 | $99.95 | $99.95 | $99.95 | $159 (device fee) |
How does Medical Alert compare?
The table below compares Medical Alert to similarly rated PERS companies:
| Company | Monitoring fees | Equipment cost | Activation fee | Fall detection | Trial period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $27.95 to $47.95 | $0 | $99.95 to $159 programming fee | Available |  | Learn more |
 | $31.99-$41.99 | $0 (excludes add-ons) | $0 | Not available with Medical Alert Basic | No | Learn more |
 | $29.95 to $58.95 per month | $0 | $79 to $99.95 | Yes | No | Learn more |
 | $31.95-$46.95 | $0-$199.95 | $0 | Yes | No | Get Pricing |
 | $49.95 to $69 | $0 | $198 | No | Get Pricing |
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.
How much does Medical Alert cost per month?
Medical Alert costs between $27.95 and $47.95 per month, depending on which device you choose. You can save money by paying annually or semiannually for the monitoring service.
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.
» 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?
Yes, Medical Alert is a good and legitimate company. It 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.
Medical Alert Reviews
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- 4,677,710 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Reviewed May 9, 2025
This company has the worst customer service I have ever had in my life. You can’t return the product and get a credit. They keep billing and billing. Do not ever buy from this company. Why the company. Target targets and cheats older population because they can get away with it and they do. Don’t use this company under any circumstances.
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Reviewed May 6, 2025
3. I returned the equipment unwrapped and did not sign the contract. I was told I couldn't cancel my account until about ten days after the equipment was received.
4. After I canceled, I was told that it take thirty business days (!!) to receive a refund.
5. As of the 30th business day, I had still not received a refund. They finally told me that of the $273 I had paid, my refund would be only $105. This despite my not having signed the contract and my returning the equipment unused and unwrapped. The cited programming fees, shipping, and partial billing charges.
6. The whole affair was a ripoff. Just as their contract heavily favors the company, so too does their refund policy.
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.
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.
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.
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?!?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
