Most medical alert providers offer monthly plans you can choose from for monitoring. These plans can range from around $19/mo. to upwards of $50/mo. Included within most medical alert plans is cellular monitoring, access to a monitoring specialist, an in-home or mobile base station, and a help button. Additional features that can be added on for an additional fee are fall detection and GPS location tracking.

Most medical alert systems come with an in-home or mobile base station that allows you to be connected with a monitoring specialist in the event of an emergency. Additionally, you’ll find a help button that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. While some medical alert providers won’t require any money upfront for your equipment, others may require upwards of $200 or more for their equipment in addition to the monthly monitoring fee.

Keep in mind your personal or your loved one’s mobility and medical needs when choosing a medical alert system. Many providers have a range of options from at-home solutions to mobile solutions. If falls are a concern, choose a provider that offers fall detection. If getting help while traveling is a concern, look into medical alert systems with GPS tracking options.

With many medical alert providers, you can choose between landline or cellular monitoring. Landline monitoring will require a landline phone connection, and cellular monitoring works over cell-tower signals. If possible, we recommend a cellular connection for reliability and security in the event of power outages.

Each medical alert system’s design will determine the range or the coverage area. With a home-based system, you’ll generally need to be within 300 – 1,000 ft. of your base station to signal for help. With a mobile system, you’ll need to be near the device for your signal to be transmitted. For smartwatches & mobile buttons, your signal can be transmitted anywhere there’s a cell-tower connection.

In the event you need immediate medical assistance, you should be able to press a button for help. Most medical alert systems come with a base station or mobile device that features built-in two-way audio so you can clearly speak with professionals. A monitoring specialist will contact emergency responders on your behalf. Be sure to understand how the medical alert system works before buying so you’ll know what to do in the event of an emergency.