Life Alert is one of the premier medical alert systems in America, known for providing both home and mobile devices of premium quality with reliable monitoring capabilities. Equipment features a 10-year battery life and two-way speakers; its devices are UL certified; monitoring centers also boast multiple certifications from third party experts. Customers must sign a three-year contract before switching over to month-to-month plans later on in their subscription cycle. Costs Life Alert stands out among competitors by being more costly, but their equipment and service are reliable and durable. In addition, their customer support is impeccable and requires a three-year contract that charges an early cancellation fee. Life Alert's basic package consists of a base station and pendant with an emergency button that can be pressed to summon help. Pressing it sends a signal to their monitoring center, who then contact family or emergency services as necessary. In addition, add-on devices like waterproof help buttons and GPS units can also be purchased; some require monthly subscription fees while others can be one-time fees. Life Alert may be well-known and reliable, but it's not the only choice available. Other top-rated systems offer lower prices with more customizable features - some even provide free trial periods and equipment with longer ranges than Life Alert does. Furthermore, customer service ratings for some providers can often outshone that of Life Alert itself and they regularly release new products. Be sure to call your insurance provider before purchasing an alarm system - most private plans won't cover its cost but some Medicare Advantage plans might. Equipment Life Alert's equipment can be costly. It consists of a base unit resembling an answering machine and a help button worn around the neck or wrist that when pushed allows emergency operators to communicate with users, send emergency responders if needed, monitor device location. Life Alert's competitors often provide similar basic equipment at half of its cost and feature more amenities not found with Life Alert systems; such as backup batteries with lifetime guarantees or multilingual support so emergency operatorss can speak the user's native language when responding to an alarm event. One major drawback of Life Alert's system is their three-year contract requirement, though after this initial period they offer month-to-month plans which are more flexible. Bay Alarm Medical and Aloe Care Health offer alternatives which offer more tailored plans. Initial costs for equipment can range anywhere from $20-$200 depending on the package and company, with monthly monitoring fees typically falling between $50 and $90.00; additional fees may apply for automatic fall detection or mobile systems with GPS tracking capabilities. gps tracker for elderly Many companies also provide different packages as well as add-on devices like shower buttons that can be worn inside bathrooms. Monitoring Life Alert's monthly fees may be more expensive than its competition, plus a one-time equipment fee of $197 and three year contract are required to use their service. Furthermore, customers canceling before the end of their contract will incur a penalty equivalent to two months' monitoring fees; unlike other top medical alert systems which typically have minimum six-month contracts. Base units and help buttons connected to GSM cellular networks offer wide coverage across the country, and enable users to easily communicate with emergency responders using voice-command or button presses; furthermore, local authorities will be notified immediately should an intruder enter into their area. Before purchasing a Life Alert system, take into account your needs and cellular coverage in your area. If the latter is unreliable, landline-based systems might be better. Furthermore, verify whether or not health insurance covers medical alert systems - many Medicare Advantage plans don't pay for them because they aren't considered durable medical equipment; some Medicare Supplemental Insurance policies (Medigap) policies do cover them; in addition, certain states offer Medicaid programs that cover them. Customer service Life Alert provides a standard home medical alert system. This consists of a base unit resembling an answering machine connected to a telephone line and a pendant-shaped device worn around one's neck or wrist which when pushed, contacts Life Alert's call center and requests emergency help. Furthermore, two key add-on devices enhance this basic package. Life Alert customer service can be reached via toll-free phone calls and chat features; emails may also be sent; however, please be aware that Life Alert's hours for customer support services range between 9 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday; therefore limiting how quickly a customer may get help. There are a few drawbacks associated with this company, such as high prices and lengthy contracts; as well as lack of advanced features. However, competitors offer more cost-effective plans with no-contracts, making them attractive options for seniors looking for long-term commitment free solutions. Some seniors may be eligible to receive financial assistance for Life Alert by enrolling in either a Medicare Advantage plan that offers coverage or Medicaid waiver programs, while senior living communities may even cover the equipment's cost; unfortunately original Medicare does not cover medical alarm systems. My website: https://getfamilyr.com/dementia/