How Much Does a Medical Alert System Cost Without Insurance?

A medical alert system, also known as a personal emergency response system (PERS), can assist you in getting help quickly during an emergency. It’s beneficial for seniors or anyone with health conditions who might need to access immediate medical care. Many people may not realize that these systems can also help in case of a break-in, fire, or natural disaster.

The systems typically require a variety of components and expenses to work, such as:

• In-home monitoring equipment

• Activation fees

• Wearables and other mobile monitoring devices

• Upcharges for additional features

• Monitoring fees

Medical alert systems work like this: You have a fall or other emergency and need to contact someone from where you are. You press an alert button on a bracelet or pendant — or speak to a voice-activated device — to reach a monitoring center where agents can call emergency services. Some systems can detect a problem, such as a fall, and automatically alert your monitoring center or a preferred contact.

These systems are not typically covered by insurance.

What is the average cost of a medical alert system?

The average cost of monitoring for a medical alert system ranges from $20 to more than $50 a month — but that doesn’t represent the full cost of having this resource.

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In all, what you pay to have a medical alert system depends on the equipment you choose, the connected devices, and your monitoring service. 

Your total charges for a medical alert system may involve:

• Startup costs: These include one-time expenses for communication equipment in your home and/or personal devices. They may also include setup, installation, and/or activation fees.

• Ongoing costs: These are primarily your monitoring fees, which may be billed monthly, annually, or in other intervals. Some systems call 911 using mobile internet technology, your landline, or cellphone and don’t require monitoring fees.

• Occasional costs: These are typically for maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.

• Cancellation costs: If you have a contract for leased equipment or a certain term of monitoring, you can be charged for early cancellation. 

Medical alert system cost breakdown

Here are explanations of the many costs that may be associated with the medical alert system you choose. You may buy or skip some of these features to fit your needs and budget. 

It’s important to note that you may have a choice to buy or lease equipment. Leasing may reduce the amount you pay upfront. Just know that leased equipment may come with a contract. If you cancel the service, you will need to return the equipment, and you may be charged a cancellation fee.

Medical alert system costs explained

Connectivity

Medical alert systems need a way to quickly connect to the monitoring center so agents can get help to you in an emergency. The alert systems work by piggybacking your existing communication services, such as your landline, cellphone, community mobile internet technology, or home WiFi. 

If you want to take your monitoring protection with you on the go, you will need to purchase a system that connects using a cellphone network. Cellphone connections sometimes feature GPS-enabled tracking that will pinpoint your location and dispatch emergency services to a precise location. Some systems also allow you to purchase a separate cellphone service or other communication plan.

Monitoring fees

Most medical alert systems charge monitoring fees that range from $20 to more than $50 a month. Basic alert systems that do not require paid monitoring typically involve a one-time purchase of the equipment that helps you contact emergency services directly or notify a preferred contact. While these systems may seem more cost-effective, they usually lack features such as fall detection and GPS location. Before you skip the monitoring fees, make sure you don’t need the additional functionality. 

Double-check which features are offered by each medical alert system provider, because all packages are different. For example, some don’t offer fall protection. Be sure to carefully review features and ask representatives questions to be sure you get everything you need. 

You may save on monitoring fees by paying in installments that are larger and less frequent than monthly payments, such as quarterly or annually — or setting up automatic payments.

Installation and activation fees

Most medical alert systems are designed to be plug-and-play and do not require professional installation. Starting them up can be as simple as plugging them into an electrical outlet and then using Bluetooth technology to connect them to your cellphone or home WiFi. 

Some companies offer professional installation, which can be as much as $200, but this is usually only necessary for advanced systems with features such as motion detection. 

Some companies have activation fees, which are one-time charges when your service begins. You are typically billed as much as $100. The provider you choose may waive this fee, or you could have access to a discount code to reduce or avoid this charge.

Devices and equipment

Medical alert equipment and devices can include everything from speakerphone units to necklaces and pendants. Here are common types of equipment and devices: 

• Pendants: Usually worn as necklaces, pendants have an alert button. Typical prices range from $25 to $50.

• Wristbands: These have an alert button and are worn around your wrist. Typical prices range from $25 to $50.

• Keychains: Similar to pendants and wristbands, these are on-the-go devices with an alert button that you carry with you. They are usually priced from $30 to $60.

• Watches: These smartwatches typically offer GPS location, step-tracking, and fall detection. Prices usually range from $150 to $300.

• Speakerphone units: These are installed in your home and allow two-way communication with the monitoring center directly from your device. Prices range from $75 to $250 or more, depending on speakerphone features and the number of units. 

• Cellphone: Some systems offer cellphones with emergency alert capability and monitoring. This normally requires purchasing the phone, a service plan, and an emergency alert monthly subscription. The phone can cost $50 to $300. Cell service can cost another $15 to $50 per month, depending on the plan and carrier.

• Bundles: Sometimes, multiple pieces of equipment are sold together at a discount. It pays to shop around and compare prices before settling on devices. You don’t always have to go through communication or medical alert companies; some sets are sold on Amazon.

Special features

Medical alert systems may include special features, such as:

• Automatic fall detection

• GPS location

• Heart-rate tracking

• Motion detection

• Step-tracking

GPS can help the monitoring center give emergency personnel a more precise location for you at your residence or away from home. Automatic fall detection will alert authorities even if you can’t or don’t press an alert button. One or more features may cost you $10 a month each, or they may be discounted if purchased as a bundle.  

Add-on features

Add-on features for medical alert systems can include safety features, such as:

• Device insurance: For a few extra dollars per month, you can ensure that you will receive a replacement or repair if one of your devices is lost, stolen, or damaged.

• Lockboxes: PIN-protected lockboxes sit by your front door and offer emergency personnel a fast way to unlock your door in an emergency.

• Medication reminders: You can set alerts to prompt you to take essential medications.

• Wellness checks: With this option, the monitoring service provider will check in with you on a regular schedule.

Repairs and replacements

Most medical alert companies offer services to repair or replace devices when they malfunction or switch batteries when they run low. Battery replacement may be free, but other repairs or replacements may only be covered at no cost or with a small service fee if you purchase device insurance.

Cancellation fee

Cancellation policies and fees vary, depending on your service provider. If you purchased your equipment, you may face termination fees up to $200 for ending a monitoring contract early. If you have leased equipment, the cancellation fee could be more, and you’re responsible for returning the equipment in good condition — or you may face an even higher penalty.

Will insurance pay for medical alert devices?

Original Medicare and most insurance plans do not cover medical alert devices, but your commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage plan might.

If you are enrolled in the managed care Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, known as PACE, a medical alert system is typically provided or covered.

Depending on your Medicaid program and your specific plan, you may qualify for coverage under a home and community-based services waiver. If you have long-term care insurance, that plan might also pay for a medical alert system.

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use pretax dollars for qualified healthcare expenses for yourself, your spouse, or eligible dependents. In some states, parents are eligible dependents — which means the primary subscriber with older parents as dependents, for instance, could use their HSA or FSA funds to pay for a medical alert system. Contact your HSA or FSA administrator to make sure a medical alert system is considered a qualified expense.

Other ways to save on medical alert systems for seniors

Most medical alert system providers offer discounts for paying quarterly or annually instead of monthly. You can also look for sales around holidays, especially in November and December. Sometimes even signing up for automatic payments can help you pay less.

Depending on your veteran status or memberships, you still may be eligible for discounts or other savings such as:

• Area Agencies on Aging: Check with your Area Agency on Aging or other senior support organizations in your community using the eldercare location tool to see if they can assist you. 

• AARP: AARP offers members discounts on some medical alert system brands.

• Loan programs: You may find preowned medical alert system equipment and devices from a durable medical equipment (DME) loan program near you.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): If you are a veteran, discuss a medical alert system with your primary care healthcare professional to see if you qualify for one that’s free or discounted.

Are medical alert systems worth it?

Medical alert systems can be valuable investments for many seniors, particularly those with health conditions that put them at risk for medical emergencies or those who live alone. These systems offer a reliable safety net for seniors, their families, and their caregivers, who can take comfort in knowing that they or their loved one can access help whenever it’s needed. These systems can also assist in case of a burglary, fire, or natural disaster.

If you subscribe to fall-detection monitoring or step-tracking, emergency help will be dispatched automatically — even if the person needing assistance cannot or did not press the alert button.

Many people would consider getting help to someone in time to save their life as well worth the cost. 

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Written by:

Lisa Kaelin

Lisa Kaelin is an author, editor, and artist. She has nearly 2 decades of experience writing and editing online personal finance content.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

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