Best Medical Alerts For People On a Budget
The first way to save money when purchasing a medical alert system is to determine exactly which features of the device apply to your situation. For someone spending most of the time at home, the simplest system may provide the best value, while more sophisticated mobile devices and smartwatches can add useful features at a higher cost. The key is to match the system to the person’s actual lifestyle rather than paying for features that are unlikely to be used.
For budget-conscious buyers, an in-home landline system may be the place to start. This is the original configuration of the medical alert, consisting of a base station and a help button worn as a pendant or clip-on. They are designed primarily for use around the home and typically have a relatively straightforward setup. Because they don’t offer GPS or cellular connectivity, they are generally the least costly.
Mobile medical alerts are designed for people who want protection both inside and outside the home, while smartwatches can combine emergency assistance with health, communication and other smart features. Those capabilities can be valuable, but if the person rarely goes out alone, they may represent an unnecessary expense. Medical alert equipment essentially ranges from home-based systems to mobile and wearable devices, with equipment and service costs varying considerably.
Another option is a medical alert system with no monthly fee. These products can have a lower overall cost because there is no continuing monitoring subscription. Instead of connecting to a professional monitoring center, they rely on the user contacting family members, friends or emergency services directly. This is the important trade-off, to forego the assistance of a trained monitoring professional who can respond to an alert, determine your location and often your medical history, and determine what assistance is needed. For dependable 24/7 response, professional monitoring may be worth the additional cost.
When comparing monitored systems, don’t look only at the advertised monthly price. Consider the entire first-year cost, including equipment, activation, shipping, setup and any other startup charges. A low initial price may become more costly over time if its monthly charges are high. Conversely, a somewhat higher startup cost can sometimes be offset by a lower monthly fee. Always ask for a complete breakdown of equipment, service and additional fees.
Many providers offer discounts for paying for a year of service in advance. Annual plans can reduce the effective monthly cost, although buyers should make sure they understand the cancellation and refund policies before committing to a longer term.
Sometimes providers offer specials, which their website might not have caught up with, so call to ask about free or discounted equipment, free activation, free shipping and introductory months of service – but check how long the promotional pricing lasts.
Insurance may be of help, and it is worth checking your policy options. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer medical alert or personal emergency response systems as a supplemental benefit, although the details vary from one plan to another. Before buying a system outright, it is worth calling your insurance company or checking your plan’s current benefits to see whether an alert device, monitoring service, or related service is included.
Finally, as noted, consider how much protection is actually required. A person who rarely leaves home may not need a GPS-enabled mobile device. Someone who spends substantial time gardening, shopping or walking, on the other hand, may find that the additional cost of a mobile system is justified. Avoid paying extra for fall detection, GPS tracking, medication reminders or other features unless they genuinely fit the user’s needs.
The best budget choice is not simply the system with the lowest advertised price. It’s the one that provides the necessary level of protection at the lowest realistic total cost. Compare all costs, features and monitoring arrangements side by side, and refer to our reviews of individual brands and our rankings for Best Medical Alert Systems. The savings from research can be substantial without having to compromise on the basic purpose of a medical alert system: getting help when it is needed.
