Best Medical Alert Systems of 2021

Popular Medical Alert Companies

Topping our rating of the Best Medical Alert Systems of 2021 is LifeFone, MobileHelp, and One Call Alert. Learn more about how these alert companies stand out, see our full rating, and get tips on how to buy a medical alert system below. You can also make sure your castle is safe and protected with our ratings of the Best Home Security Systems and the Best Home Security Cameras.

Our Best Medical Alert Systems Rating

#1 LifeFone
#2 MobileHelp
#3 One Call Alert
#3 Medical Care Alert
#3 Bay Alarm Medical
#3 Medical Guardian
#7 Medical Alert
#8 LifeStation
#9 Philips Lifeline
#10 GreatCall

Compare the Best Medical Alert Systems of 2021

Best Medical Alert Systems in Detail

LifeFone: At the top of our rating of the Best Medical Alert Systems is LifeFone. It offers a selection of medical alert devices you can use in your home or out and about. Though that isn't unusual, where LifeFone does stand out is with its extras. Monitoring for your spouse is free and its optional fall detection is about half the cost of what many charge ($5 per month). LifeFone is one of the few to offer add-on services such as medication reminders, automated check-ins, and telephone wellness checks. Read more in our LifeFone review.

MobileHelp: Taking second place in our rating is MobileHelp. Its basic MobileHelp Classic has one of the least expensive annual plans in our comparison and an extra-long range of 1,400 feet from the base unit. MobileHelp also distinguishes itself with an advanced medical alert system that comes with a tabletlike touch screen with video capabilities, as well as an optional telehealth plan for doctor visits and prescription refills. Plans come with a free lockbox, and add-ons such as medication reminders and activity tracking are available. Read more in our MobileHelp review.

One Call Alert: One Call Alert places No. 3 in our rating of the Best Medical Alert Systems alongside three other companies. Its devices look similar to most of MobileHelp's because the companies are connected. Like MobileHelp, One Call Alert has affordable in-home devices with ranges longer than most. It has a solid selection of packages overall, though One Call Alert doesn't offer as many options as MobileHelp. Read more in our One Call Alert review.

Medical Care Alert: Medical Care Alert shares third place in our rating. Like many companies in our rating, Medical Care Alert has U.S.-based monitoring centers that respond to calls 24/7. What sets this medical alert company apart is that all of its operators are EMT/EMD-certified. A free lockbox comes with every plan, and many of its packages include a second wearable help button that your spouse can use. A free smartphone app, available with select plans, includes features such as customized medication reminders. Read more in our Medical Care Alert review.

Bay Alarm Medical: Sharing the third step of the podium is Bay Alarm Medical, which has a generous selection of alert devices. In addition to a basic medical alert system for your home, Bay Alarm Medical also offers a simple GPS-enabled button, a smartwatch, and a device that plugs into your car and can detect a crash. Bundles are available that pair one of these GPS-enabled devices with an in-home base unit and a wearable help button. Spouse monitoring is free if you buy another wearable device, and apps are available with some systems to let caregivers see your current location. Read more in our Bay Alarm Medical review.

Medical Guardian: Also placing at No. 3 in our rating is Medical Guardian. Four of its medical alert systems feature GPS tracking in compact devices that are easy to carry and work anywhere, one of which is a smartwatch. Medical Guardian is one of the few companies to offer a smartwatch, which doesn't require you to have a cell phone and can track your steps, but costs more than smart devices from other medical alert companies. Read more in our Medical Guardian review.

How to Find the Right Medical Alert System for You

A medical alert system connects you to operators who can help you seconds after you push a help button. A primary advantage of using this type of service instead of calling 911 in an emergency is that the call center operators for the medical alert company have access to your personal profile. These operators can see where you are, notify emergency services of your location and the problem, tell medical providers about your allergies and medications, contact your neighbors or family members, and stay with you on the line until help arrives.

This type of personal emergency response system (PERS) can be a critical piece of technology for adults who want to age in place, though these devices are meant to supplement – not replace – caregivers. Similarly, medical alert systems shouldn't be used as a replacement for a home security system.

Medical alert systems can be very simple, consisting of just one base station and a help button you wear, or they can include advanced tools and tracking. Deciding what level of technology you want is a personal preference, but at a minimum, the best alert systems all contain the following:

What Is an At-Home Medical Alert System?

An at-home medical alert system typically consists of a base unit and a wearable device. Some companies offer wall-mounted or shower-mounted help buttons that you can place around the home. The base unit can connect to the monitoring center using your landline.

If you don't have a landline, look for a cellular-based system. You don't need a cellphone, as the alert company provides the cellular service and the cost is included with your plan. Make sure the cellular network, such as AT&T, has good coverage in your area.

Tech-savvy users may want to consider an advanced device that does more than just call for help. Popular tech tools include smartwatches, which can also monitor your sleeping habits, exercise, and medication reminders. Systems that use a tablet in place of the base station, such as the Touch from MobileHelp, also let users play games to stimulate their brains and make video calls with family members.

What Is an On-the-Go Medical Alert System?

An on-the-go medical alert system works wherever you have a cellphone connection. These can be part of an at-home system or can be completely mobile. The best mobile medical alert systems are GPS-enabled so the monitoring center operator can quickly determine your location in an emergency.

On-the-go devices that you wear tend to be larger than a pendant you wear at home because they also have a speaker, microphone, and GPS-tracking technology. Because it's important to wear this device when you leave the house, make sure you select a device that is comfortable, both in size and weight.

What Is a Wearable Medical Alert Device?

Just as the name suggests, wearable devices are help buttons that you wear so you can reach out for help wherever you go, even from the shower. Because of this, look for a wearable device that's waterproof or water-resistant.

The main types are pendants, which you wear around your neck, and wrist buttons, which look similar to a wristwatch. Some companies sell vanity devices that look more like a stylish necklace than a medical alert device. Mobile devices often look similar to a walkie-talkie and can come with a lanyard or be clipped onto a belt. Smart devices integrate an emergency button into a high-tech wearable that also tracks your vital signs, activity, and location.

Optional Medical Alert Features

Beyond its built-in help button, medical alert devices can include a variety of tools to manage your health or make life easier. We've listed the most common ones below. Another feature that might be available is telehealth services, connecting you with a doctor or nurse from the comfort of your home (MobileHelp) offers this add-on). Some companies, such as GreatCall, can even integrate with Amazon Alexa and turn your smart home system into a virtual caregiver.

These are features you may want to consider when finding the best match for you:

In-Home Range: For an in-home system, the in-home range is the distance that the wearable device can go from the base unit and still work. In our comparison of the best medical alert companies, this is as short as 350 feet (Medical Guardian) and as long as 1,400 feet (MobileHelp and One Call Alert). Consider adding a voice extender (one is available through Alert1) if you have a multistory or sprawling house.

GPS Tracking: The best on-the-go devices use GPS tracking technology so that the monitoring center or your caregivers can quickly find you in an emergency. Location tracking is also vital for those who want to age in place but have issues with memory or dementia.

Multilingual Operators: Not all call centers can offer assistance for non-English speakers, which is surprising given that as of 2017, nearly 22% of the U.S. population speaks a language other than English at home (as reported by the Center for Immigration Studies). Find out if the medical alert company you are considering can support users who speak limited English and what the specific policy is. For example, LifeStation has dedicated Spanish-speaking operators, Alert1 supports up to 190 different languages through its translation services, and Life Alert relies on your personal contacts to translate languages other than English and Spanish.

Fall detection: Some wearable devices come with automatic fall detection. If you fall while wearing one of these devices, the system automatically contacts the monitoring center without you pushing the help button (though alert companies say it's still best to also press the help button if you fall).

"Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans," reported the National Council on Aging. "Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs." Optional fall detection adds peace of mind, especially if you have a history of seizures or falling or you have prescription medications that can make you dizzy. Recent innovations continue to improve how a device with fall detection determines if you fall, though keep in mind that false alarms are still common, especially for active adults.

Lockbox: A lockbox keeps your house keys in a safe location outside. If caregivers or EMTs need to get inside your home when you can't open the door, they can get the keys out of the lockbox using a code and quickly enter without having to break down a door. Some companies include this for free (including MobileHelp), some charge a monthly fee (such as Medical Guardian), and some sell lockboxes for around $30 (such as LifeFone).

Activity Tracking: Some wearable devices automatically track your physical activities. Activity tracking goes beyond counting your steps each day by letting caregivers who don't live with you know if you’re up and moving about normally. A sudden drop-off in activity can often signal a problem, like if you are sick in bed.

Medication Reminders: Medication reminders alert you when it's time to take your medicine. In addition to an alarm, the more advanced systems provide details on the name and dose of your prescriptions. Keep in mind that while this type of reminder can help keep you on track with your medications, it doesn't ensure that you actually take your pills.

Spouse Monitoring: Some medical alert companies let you monitor more than one adult in the household, which is called spouse monitoring. It's an affordable way to cover both you and your spouse. Companies like LifeFone include this service for no added monthly cost (though you may have to purchase a second wearable device). Spouse monitoring doesn't mean your spouse can keep track of you – for that type of monitoring, look for a system that comes with a caregiver app.

Wellness Checks: For older adults who live alone, a wellness check can be a welcome option to ensure that everything is okay on a regular basis. These typically consist of a daily phone call from an agent at the call center. Some companies offer automated check-ins where the user turns off a notification at the base center, which typically costs less per month than phone wellness checks.

Remote Answering: A few at-home devices can connect with your landline to act like a cordless phone. Instead of carrying both a medical alert device and a phone, a user can carry just one device when working in the yard or garage. Note that this only works with a landline-based alert system.

Medical Alert Company Warranties and Policies

The best medical alert systems come with a money-back guarantee that's at least two weeks long. This is a great way for those that are new to using a medical alert device to try one risk-free and make sure the system fits their needs.

Only a few companies in our comparison come with a lifetime warranty, including LifeFone and Medical Care Alert. While a warranty is nice to have, the lack of one shouldn't be a deal breaker, as most of the equipment (such as the base unit) is essentially leased and not purchased. In place of providing a warranty, some companies instead cover occasional battery replacements. A few alert companies offer protection plans that cover wear and tear for a monthly fee of around $5.

Signing up with a medical alert company that includes a price-lock guarantee means your monthly or yearly rates will never increase. It's a better way to lock in prices than signing a long-term contract, though only one company (Life Alert) in our comparison requires contracts.

How Much Does a Medical Alert System Cost?

Yearly and Monthly Base Costs

In our comparison of the best medical alert companies, month-to-month fees start as low as $19.95 for a basic cellular-based system from One Call Alert. The average price of a monthly plan is just over $40.

You can often reduce your per month costs by instead opting for a semiannual or annual payment plan. For example, the monthly plan for the MobileHelp Classic costs $39.95 in comparison to the annual plan's per month cost of $29.95. By picking the annual plan over the month-to-month plan, you'll save $120 over the course of a year.

Some types of Medicare and private insurance cover the cost of a medical alert system (learn more in our guide on How to Choose a Medical Alert System). Members of AARP can also get discounts on some systems.

Upfront Fees

Upfront fees vary quite a bit among medical alert companies, and some are hefty enough to add a few hundred dollars to your expenses the first year. In our comparison of medical alert companies, most offer free shipping on some plans, though you may have to sign up for annual billing to qualify.

Activation fees are not common, and the top-rated companies in our comparison offer free activation. For companies that charge an activation fee, the cost ranges from $35 (GreatCall) to $198 (Life Alert).

Equipment fees are also rare because you usually only use the equipment while you have an active plan with the medical alert company, returning the equipment when you no longer need or want it. Because of this arrangement, it makes sense for most users to get the equipment directly from a medical alert company instead of buying one from a third-party retailer or pharmacy.

Typically, expect to see equipment fees from a medical alert company only for high-tech devices (such as Bay Alarm Medical's $79 mobile help button) or for a smart device (such as Medical Guardian's $179.95 smartwatch).

Costs of Optional Features

For most optional features, medical alert companies add the cost to your monthly subscription instead of charging you a one-time fee. For this reason, it's important to add only the services you need if you want to keep your monthly costs to a minimum. Below are typical costs for many add-on services:

Other Medical Alert Guides

Other Ratings from 360 Reviews

Our 360 Methodology for Evaluating Medical Alert Systems

The following describes our 360 approach to researching and analyzing medical alert systems to guide prospective consumers.

1. We researched the companies and products people care most about.U.S. News analyzed and compared a variety of publicly available data, including internet search data, to determine which medical alert system companies Americans are most interested in. We found 21 companies that stand out in terms of volume of searches and research among consumers, as well as across the different rating sources.

We then compared the available medical alert systems provided by our top medical alert system companies across several criteria, including subscription fees, add-on services, and product features such as GPS tracking, water resistance, and connectivity options. Research shows that these are among the most important criteria for people shopping for a medical alert system. We then highlighted the most comprehensive and basic plans offered by each company based on these criteria.

2. We created objective 360 Overall Ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews.U.S. News’ 360 Reviews team applied an unbiased methodology that includes opinions from professional reviews as well as consumer reviews.

Our scoring methodology is based on a composite analysis of the ratings and reviews published by credible third-party professional and consumer review sources. The ratings are not based on personal opinions or experiences of U.S. News. To calculate the ratings:

(a) We compiled two types of third-party ratings and reviews:

Please note that not all professional and consumer rating sources met our criteria for objectivity. Therefore, some sources were excluded from our model.
(b) We standardized the inputs to create a common scale.

The third-party review source data were collected in a variety of forms, including ratings, recommendations, and accolades. Before including each third-party data point into our scoring equation, we had to standardize it so that it could be compared accurately with data points from other review sources. We used the scoring methodology described below to convert these systems to a comparable scale.

The 360 scoring process first converted each third-party rating into a common 0 to 5 scale. To balance the distribution of scores within each source’s scale, we used a standard deviation (or Z-Score) calculation to determine how each company’s score compared to the source’s mean score. We then used the Z-Score to create a standardized U.S. News score using the method outlined below:

(c) We calculated the 360 Overall Score based on a weighted-average model.
We assigned “source weights” to each source used in the consensus scoring model based on our assessment of how much the source is trusted and recognized by consumers and how much its published review process indicates that it is both comprehensive and editorially independent. The source weights are assigned on a 1-5 scale. Any source with an assigned weight less than two was excluded from the consensus scoring model.

Finally, we combined the converted third-party data points using a weighted average formula based on source weight. This formula calculated the consensus score for each product, which we call the 360 Overall Rating.