Best Affordable Medical Alert Systems, Tested and Reviewed
Bay Alarm Medical is our top pick for affordable medical alert systems with prices starting at just $24.95 per month.
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- Offers some of the lowest monthly premiums in the industry
- No hidden activation or installation fees
- Bundling deals offer even more ways to save
- High-tech features on a budget
- Discounts for paying quarterly or annually
- No long-term contracts required
- Some of the most affordable on-the-go systems on the market
- Health and safety features available at various price points
- Features work with iPhone and Apple Watch devices
- Easy-to-use systems
- Lifetime warranty
- Seasonal promotions
Contents
Shopping for a medical alert system on a budget? You’re in luck! There are plenty of affordable medical alert systems that offer the essential features to keep you safe, including 24/7 monitoring and fast response times.
Our team of tech experts spent over 100 hours testing and comparing the best medical alert systems. Using our research and hands-on experience, we narrowed down the list to our top affordable picks. All of the companies on our list offer systems with prices starting below $30 per month. Along with price, we evaluated each system using several important factors like value, ease of use, quality, response time, and more.
Our Top Providers for Affordable Medical Alert Systems
Our Methodology
Our senior tech and fall prevention experts compared the prices and value of over a dozen medical alert systems. From there, we tested the devices and narrowed our choices down to the best affordable options. During the research and testing process, we considered all of the following:
- Monthly costs
- Plan variety
- Equipment fees
- Additional fees
- Reliability
- Ease of use
- Response times
For a closer look at how we evaluated each system, jump down our section on how we tested and chose the best affordable medical alert systems.
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1. Bay Alarm Medical - Most Affordable Lineup
What we like most
- Offers some of the lowest monthly premiums in the industry
- No hidden activation or installation fees
- Bundling deals offer even more ways to save
Bay Alarm MedicalOverview:Overview
Bay Alarm Medical prices start at $24.95 per month for at-home packages. These are some of the lowest prices in the industry, beating out Lively’s monthly premiums by just four cents! We’re also big fans of the company’s cost transparency — there are no hidden activation or installation fees. Keep an eye out for deals on their website, too, as Bay Alarm Medical offers special discounts throughout the year.
» Pricing Guide: Bay Alarm Medical alert system cost and pricing
If you’re looking to bundle an in-home system and mobile system, Bay Alarm Medical offers some great deals — starting at $59.95 per month for two systems. If you want fall detection with any Bay Alarm Medical system, it costs an extra $10 per month (twice as much as LifeFone).
» Related Reading: Best medical alert systems with fall detection
Pros & Cons:Pros About Bay Alarm Medical
- Transparent and affordable pricing
- Seasonal deals and promotions
- No hidden costs or long-term contracts
- 30-day risk-free trial
- No activation fees
- U.S.-based monitoring center
- Caregiver tracking features
Cons About Bay Alarm Medical
- Equipment fees with mobile plans
- Small product lineup
- Fall detection is a bit expensive
Summary:Plans and Pricing
System Starting price Equipment fee Activation fee Installation fee Designated purpose SOS Home $24.95 per month (landline)
$29.95 per month (cellular)No No No In-home use with a landline or cellular connection SOS Mobile $34.95 per month $99 No No On-the-go help button SOS Smartwatch $34.95 per month $159 No No On-the-go for active users SOS All-in-One $39.95 per month $170 No No In-home and on-the-go use Our Experience With Bay Alarm Medical
We tested out the SOS Home and SOS Mobile, Bay Alarm Medical’s two most affordable packages. We liked the home system’s simple base unit with a large, red “help” button, along with a wearable help button. We could venture up to 1,000 feet away from the base unit, which meant we could tend to the garden, walk to the end of the driveway to check the mail, or head to the other end of the house without losing signal.
» Learn More: The benefits of senior gardening
The SOS Mobile offers on-the-go protection via a Verizon or AT&T cellular connection. We could wear the device around the neck and call for help with the press of a button. We liked how easy it was to charge, as it just had to be placed in its charging cradle. To confirm that it’s charging, the device blinks red for a few seconds and audibly announces that it’s charging. When it was fully charged (which took about two hours), the light turned solid red. This made it really easy to know that the system was ready to use!
After initiating multiple test emergencies, we recorded an average response time of 20 seconds. Based on our testing of other providers like Lively and Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical performed a little slower than average, but it was still very fast.
» Our Full Review: Bay Alarm Medical alert system review 2024
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch is one of our favorite systems for active seniors. Watch our video below to learn more.
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2. Medical Guardian - Most Affordable High-Tech System
What we like most
- High-tech features on a budget
- Discounts for paying quarterly or annually
- No long-term contracts required
Medical GuardianOverview:Overview
Medical Guardian offers top-notch technology and service, including an advanced smartwatch system and caregiver mobile app. Medical Guardian’s prices are a little higher than competitors like Lively or Bay Alarm Medical, but we think the technology and features offer excellent value. Similar to the other providers on our list, Medical Guardian charges equipment fees for select systems, which we’re not big fans of.
» Pricing Guide: Medical Guardian prices and deals
The prices are still affordable for seniors who have a little wiggle room in their budgets. And, if you pay quarterly or annually for your service, you can save a few bucks every month; this really adds up over time. We also like that they have a wide range of products at different price points, so you can find the right system for your needs.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Medical Guardian
- Discounts for paying quarterly or annually
- No long-term contracts
- Sleek systems
- Online customer care portal
- Smartwatch-style system option
- Landline, cellular, and on-the-go options
- No activation fees
Cons About Medical Guardian
- Equipment fees for some systems
- Fees for additional services and devices can add up quickly
- Relatively high monthly rates
Summary:Plans and Pricing
System Starting price Equipment fee Activation fee Installation fee Designated purpose MGClassic $29.95 per month No No No In-home use with a landline MGHome Cellular $37.95 per month $149.95 No No In-home use without a landline Mini Guardian $44.95 per month $149.95 No No On-the-go help button MGMini $39.95 per month $149.95 No No On-the-go help button MGMove $39.95 per month $199.95 No No On-the-go use, smartwatch style Our Experience With Medical Guardian
We tested out Medical Guardian’s most affordable system, the MGClassic, along with the least expensive mobile package, the MGMini. The MGClassic has no equipment fees and starts at just $29.95 per month. It includes a standard base unit with a giant “Emergency Call” button, a two-way speaker, and smaller buttons to turn the system off or initiate a reset. What we really loved was the large base unit range (up to 1,300 feet).
The MGMini, a pendant-style system, offers coverage on the go, starting at $39.95 per month. Much like Lively’s Mobile2, the system has a single help button and two-way speaker, making it very easy to use. And with a battery life of over five days, we didn’t have to worry about charging it very often. This is great for those with dementia who might not remember to charge their devices as often.
» Related Reading: Best medical alert systems for seniors with dementia
On average, we were connected with an agent in 15 seconds, just five seconds slower than Bay Alarm Medical’s times.
» Our Full Review: Medical Guardian review 2024
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3. Lively - Most Affordable On-the-Go System
What we like most
- Some of the most affordable on-the-go systems on the market
- Health and safety features available at various price points
- Features work with iPhone and Apple Watch devices
LivelyOverview:Overview
Lively’s prices are $5 to $15 cheaper per month than most on-the-go systems. The company offers two senior-friendly phones with medical alert features, the Jitterbug Smart4 and Jitterbug Flip2, and one mobile medical alert system, the Lively Mobile2. These systems are great for older adults who want a more discrete system.
» Pricing Guide: Lively medical alert system cost and pricing
Lively offers two health and safety packages that pair with the Lively Mobile2, ranging from $24.99 to $34.99 per month. Fall detection costs an additional $9.99 per month. If you choose a Lively phone, plans cost $19.99 to $49.99 (not including data, which starts at $5 per month), depending on your chosen health and safety features. Though their monthly rates are fairly low, Lively does charge one-time activation and equipment fees.
FYI: Looking for an on-the-go medical alert system? Check out our guide to the best GPS medical alert systems of 2024!
Pros & Cons:Pros About Lively
- Low monthly service fee
- No long-term contracts
- On-the-go protection
- Compatible with certain third-party devices
- Health and safety feature options
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons About Lively
- Equipment and activation fees for most plans
- Only mobile systems are available
Summary:Plans and Pricing
System Starting price Equipment fee Activation fee Installation fee Designated purpose Mobile Mobile2 $24.99 per month $79.99 $35 No On-the-go protection with a wearable help button Jitterbug Smart4 $19.99 per month $149.99 $35 No Medical alert features coupled with smartphone functions Jitterbug Flip2 $19.99 per month $99.99 $35 No A flip phone with medical alert features Lively on Apple Watch, iPhone, or Alexa-enabled device $24.99 per month N/A No No Safety features on your own device Our Experience With Lively
The Jitterbug Smart4 and Jitterbug Flip2 are very senior-friendly, with list-style menus and built-in medical alert features (with higher-tier plans). Both phones feature a bright red Urgent Response button, so we could call for help at any time. Like Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Mobile, the Lively Mobile2 is a simple, one-button device with a two-way speaker. We found it was incredibly easy to wear and use. We also liked the Lively Link app, which let us track our Lively devices, view their status, and receive real-time alerts for emergency calls.
With the Lively Mobile2, we connected with an emergency response agent in just 10 seconds after pressing our help button. This was twice as fast as the times we recorded with Bay Alarm Medical and a few seconds faster than LifeFone.
» Our Full Review: Lively medical alert system review
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4. LifeFone - Most Affordable System With Fall Detection
What we like most
- Easy-to-use systems
- Lifetime warranty
- Seasonal promotions
LifeFoneOverview:Overview
As we age, our risk of experiencing a fall goes up.1 LifeFone offers automatic fall detection with most systems for just $5 — which is $5 cheaper than the same service from Medical Guardian or Bay Alarm Medical. We recommend this feature for most seniors, especially those who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk of falling.
» Pricing Guide: LifeFone medical alert system cost and pricing
LifeFone has special offers throughout the year, like free shipping or one free month of service. You can also save on LifeFone’s products by paying quarterly or annually instead of monthly. If you don’t mind paying for a year in advance, you’ll get monthly prices comparable to other providers like Bay Alarm Medical.
Pros & Cons:Pros About LifeFone
- Inexpensive fall detection
- No equipment, activation, or installation fees
- Discount for quarterly or annual plans
- No long-term contract
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime warranty
- Landline, cellular, and GPS options
Cons About LifeFone
- The add-ons can get expensive.
- Only English- and Spanish-speaking care agents are available.
Summary:Plans and Pricing
System Starting price Equipment fee Activation fee Installation fee Designated purpose At-Home Landline $29.95 per month ($24.95 with annual billing) No No No In-home use with a landline At-Home Cellular $34.95 per month ($30.95 with annual billing) No No No In-home use without a landline At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP flex™ $45.95 per month ($41.95 with annual billing) No No No In-home and on-the-go use At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP Active® $43.95 per month ($39.95 with annual billing) No No No On-the-go help button At-Home & On-the-Go, VIPx® $45.95 per month ($41.95 with annual billing) No No No Small on-the-go help button At-Home & On-the-Go Safe Watch Active® $49.95 per month ($45.95 with annual billing) No No No Smartwatch Our Experience With LifeFone
We tested out LifeFone’s At-Home Cellular package with the $5 fall detection add-on. The system was easy to set up and use, similar to the other at-home systems we tried out. After simulating several falls while wearing the fall detection pendant, we found that it could accurately detect falls most of the time. When the pendant detected a fall, it automatically connected to the unit’s base station and called for help, even if we didn’t press our help button.
After testing the system’s help button multiple times, we recorded average response times of 25 seconds. While this is slower than the other providers on our list, it’s still pretty fast.
» Our Full Review: LifeFone medical alert system review 2024
How We Tested and Chose the Best Affordable Medical Alert Systems
As you saw from the guide above, we researched and tested every medical alert system on our list. We tried out each system over a three-day period, evaluating them for:
- Monthly costs: We researched dozens of medical alert systems to find the providers that offer the lowest monthly premiums and best value.
- Plan variety: We considered providers that have more than one cost-effective option for budget-conscious shoppers.
- Equipment fees: Some providers include the cost of equipment in the monthly premium, while others require you to pay a one-time equipment fee. We included providers that offer both options, but we tried to focus on those with low or no equipment costs.
- Additional fees: We included information about any additional fees, such as activation fees, we came across during the buying process.
- Reliability: Reliability can make your system a better long-term investment, allowing you to save on repair or replacement costs.
- Ease of use: Just because a medical alert system is affordable doesn’t mean it’s good quality or easy to use. We ensured that each device on our list was easy to use.
- Response times: Speedy response times are essential during an emergency. We made 10 test calls for each system on our list and recorded how long it took to receive a response and calculated the average.
How Much Do Medical Alert Systems Cost?
Medical alert systems cost anywhere from $20 to $50 per month. In-home systems are typically cheaper than mobile or more advanced systems. Some companies also charge one-time equipment fees that range from $50 to a few hundred dollars. There are also add-ons to consider, including fall detection, which costs $5 to $10 per month. Many companies sell wall help buttons, lockboxes, and other equipment with additional monthly fees. Also look out for activation and shipping fees.
Does Medicare Cover Medical Alert Systems?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover medical alert systems. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), it may cover part or all of the cost of a medical alert system. Benefits vary greatly by plan, so contact your carrier to see if you have coverage.
Are There Free Medical Alert Systems?
Getting a free medical alert system is possible, but it will take some digging. Here are a few resources you can tap into.
- Medicaid: If you receive Medicaid benefits, your plan may cover the cost of a system. If not, you may need to request a waiver from Medicaid. For further assistance, contact your local Medicaid agency.
- VA benefits: Some senior veterans may qualify for a free medical alert device. The free system provided by Veterans Affairs is very basic compared to the robust devices from leading brands, but if the system is free, you may still find it beneficial.
- Area agency on aging: Your local area agency on aging may be able to help you find resources, such as grants or scholarships, to fund your medical alert system. Reach out to your local agency to explore potential benefits.
Can I Get a Discount on a Medical Alert System?
If you can’t get a free medical alert system, you may be able to get a discounted one. Here are a few tips for getting the lowest price on your medical alert system:
- If you have a landline, use it. Landline in-home medical alert systems are typically cheaper than cellular systems. You can often save around $5 to $10 per month.
- Watch for seasonal deals. Many medical alert providers run special rates throughout the year. You’ll see special deals and discounts on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veterans Day, Black Friday, as well as the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
- Ask for a discount. While you’re on the phone with the customer service representative, don’t be shy — ask for a discount or waived fee. The worst they can do is say no!
Social Security. (2024). Average Monthly Benefit.
National Institute on Aging. (2022). Falls and Fractures in Older Adults.
CDC. (2023). Keep On Your Feet.