Medical alert systems: the monthly cost

The National Institute on Aging describes the product plainly: 'Emergency medical alert systems respond to medical and other emergencies via an electronic monitor that a person wears. The monitor alerts emergency personnel when a person becomes lost, falls, or needs urgent medical assistance.' It adds the limits in the same breath: the systems 'won't be useful in every kind of emergency', 'must be set up correctly and worn by the older adult', need their batteries charged or replaced, and 'can't replace regular check-ins by family, friends, and other caregivers'. On cost: 'typically charge a fee to get started, followed by a monthly service fee', and 'Medicare will not pay for emergency medical alert systems, but Medicaid and other programs may provide coverage'⁸. Bay Alarm's page says the same about traditional Medicare and notes that some Medicare Advantage plans and private insurers do offer coverage⁵.

The three companies here price the same two shapes of product. A home system is a base unit on a landline or a cellular connection with a wearable button that works within a range of the base (Alert1 states 400 ft, Bay Alarm up to 1,000 ft, Medical Guardian 1,400 ft)²³⁶. A mobile system is a GPS pendant or watch with its own cellular connection and a battery you charge (Alert1 LifeBeacon up to 10 days, Medical Guardian Guardian Flex up to 5 days, MGMove up to 24 hours, Bay Alarm SOS All-In-One 2 up to 72 hours with a recommendation to charge every evening)²³⁶.

Alert1: 'Alert1 does not require long term contracts. Any user may cancel service at any time, simply by returning the Alert1 equipment. However, some users agree to contracts of a specified length (for example, annual plans) in exchange for a substantial discount. Such users may cancel their service early, but Alert1 does not offer refunds in such circumstances unless the user has passed away or moved into a certified nursing home or assisted living facility where Alert1 service is no longer supported or allowed.'¹ The $19.99 and $34.99 prices are the annual-plan prices, so this clause is the one to read before choosing them.

Bay Alarm Medical: 'We provide a 15-day trial period from the date the system arrives at your doorstep.' 'You may cancel your Bay Alarm Medical subscription at any time and we will refund any unused months less shipping costs.' 'If you purchase a quarterly or annual plan and cancel early, we will prorate and refund any unused months minus shipping and/or any free month promotions. Please note that we require 3 months of paid service for free shipping and 11 months of paid service for a free month.' Its FAQ: 'Bay Alarm Medical does not charge any cancellation fees' and 'does not require a long-term contract'; cancellation is by phone, 'The account is not fully cancelled until the device has been returned in working condition AND processed', the process 'can take 2-3 weeks', and 'We do not provide return/cancellation boxes or shipping labels'⁵⁶.

Medical Guardian: its FAQ answers 'Are there any equipment, activation, or cancellation fees I need to know about?' with 'No. We do not charge any equipment, activation, or cancellation fees.††', and the same page's footnote reads '†† Cancellation fees may apply.' It also says 'we provide pro-rated refunds for months of unused service' and that there are no long-term contracts⁴. The policy page: cancel by phone; 'If you have not purchased the equipment you must return all system equipment and accessories'; service ends 'the day the system is received'; 'a prorated refund will be issued for the unused service period that may have been prepaid. Restocking fees may apply'; refunds may take up to 30 days; promotional discounts 'will be forfeited if any changes are made to the initial order, including billing cycle changes, within twelve (12) months'; a lost or damaged equipment fee 'of up to $350' applies to its listed systems⁷.