Medical Alert is part of Connect America, a nationwide home security firm that is headquartered in Pennsylvania. It offers “help at the push of a button” and has a brand name that would make any up-and-coming medical alert company envious, but does that translate into a great product and an unbeatable service?
Let’s find out by taking a deep dive into the company’s product range and seeing what it has to offer compared to its many competitors.
Medical Alert Products
Connect America makes some of the best medical alert systems in the United States, all of which you can buy through Medical Alert. There are a few different options to choose from and they are available with monthly, semi-annual (6 months), and annual contracts.
The longer the contract, the less you will pay in the long-term, and if you opt for those 6-month or 12-month contracts, you can also get a couple of freebies thrown in. These include free shipping with some 6-month contracts and a free lockbox with most 12-month contracts.
At Home Medical Alert System
The At-Home combines a small and lightweight base unit that connects to a portable and waterproof pendant. It offers crystal clear communication and features large “Help” buttons on both the base unit and the pendant.
Once these buttons are pressed, users will be connected to a 24/7 emergency operations center where a specialized team will provide assistance and remain on the phone until emergency responders arrive.
The At Home solution is available in both landline and cellular versions, with the former costing anywhere from $19.95 to $22.95 per month (depending on the contract length) and the latter available for upwards of $29.95 per month.
On-the-Go Medical Alert System
On-the-Go is a mobile medical alert device that features a built-in two-way speaker through which you can speak with the emergency response team. It works through the AT&T cellular network and offers many of the same benefits as the At Home unit, with the main difference being that it can be taken anywhere and provide assistance even outside of the home.
The battery lasts for up to 2 days and the unit features GPS location services to help EMTs track you down.
As is often the case with mobile units like this, the On-the-Go is a significant step-up in price from the At Home unit. It costs $37.95 per month if you opt for the monthly contract and even if you pay annually, you’ll still pay the equivalent of $34.95 a month.
Alternatively, there is a 5-day battery life option that costs $40.95 for the monthly package. It’s not a huge step-up in price and, while $40 is a lot of money to spend every month, it’s a useful option for individuals who frequently forget to charge their devices.
Other Medical Alert Products
Medical Alert also sells a fall detection accessory, which detects when you have fallen and automatically triggers an SOS. Fall detection can be added to an order of the At Home or On-the-Go unit, as the option will be presented during checkout. It costs $10 extra per month and works by immediately contacting an operator when a fall is registered.
The Medical Alert Connect mobile app is also worth looking into if you’re a caregiver. It allows you to monitor the device state, contact lists, and testing schedules of any Medical Alert users under your care, with notifications and location monitoring helping you stay on the ball.