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Medical Care Alert Review
4.5 Overall Rating
Bottom Line
Medical Care Alert offers three affordable personal emergency response systems, providing immediate access to help with the push of a button and a free caregiver app for additional tracking.
Updated:
About Medical Care Alert
Retirement Living tested Medical Care Alert’s systems and monitoring services to see how well they protect users at home and on the go. Whether you spend time at home indoors, in the yard, running errands, or traveling, these devices provide reliable access to help anytime you need it. Each system includes key features for caregivers and family members, and the waterproof emergency buttons are built for everyday use.
Medical Care Alert has been keeping people safe for years by providing instant access to highly trained and certified emergency personnel 24 hours a day, every day of the year in U.S.-based offices. Medical Care Alert offers a range of home-based, mobile GPS, and smartwatch medical alert emergency response systems with immediate access to help after pushing a button. The company emphasises that it doesn’t require a long-term contract, and that equipment costs are low or rolled into a monthly plan.
Pros
- U.S.-based bilingual EMT/EMD-certified operators with a minimum two-year college education or military service
- Senior smartwatch plan with automatic fall detection and location tracking capability
- Price-locked monthly subscription plans
- Optional fall detection available with all packages
Cons
- Text notifications to caregivers only available in some plans
- No wellness check service
Medical Care Alert Monitoring Systems and Packages
Medical Care Alert offers three medical alert systems designed to keep seniors protected at home or on the go. Each device connects to a U.S.-based monitoring center staffed by trained EMT/EMD operators who are available 24/7.
Cellular models operate and include the cost of service through AT&T. Landline systems connect through your home phone line. Pendants and wrist buttons are water-resistant and safe to wear in the shower. The following are the three systems to choose from.
- HOME Medical Alert System: An in-home system that uses a landline, this model is for use inside and around the home. This system includes a base unit with a powerful microphone and a two-way speaker with volume control. You can call for help at the touch of a button from up to 1,000 feet away, which offers coverage throughout most homes and yards. It comes with a waterproof pendant and wristband, while fall detection is an optional add-on.
- Home & Away MINI system: It’s the smallest, shower-safe GPS system that works anywhere in the U.S. through AT&T cellular coverage. Speak directly into the small GPS tracking pendant with two-way communication when you need help. If you want to make quick check-in calls without contacting the emergency monitoring center, you can call your first emergency contact person (friend, family member, or neighbor) by tapping the side button. Fall detection is optional, and the device is shower safe, with built-in location tracking.
- Smartwatch Pro: Designed specifically for seniors, the smartwatch has built-in GPS, step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and optional fall detection. Press the button and use the two-way speaker for help, and speak into the watch. It’s discreet, comfortable, and ideal for active seniors who want an all-in-one safety and wellness solution.
From Our Tester:
“The smartwatch feels sturdy and well-made – better than other medical alert watches we’ve tested. The screen is larger than Apple smartwatches, which is beneficial for those with vision problems, but its size could be cumbersome if your wrist is tiny.”
How Medical Care Alert’s Monitoring Service Works
All Medical Care Alert systems keep records of your home location, medical conditions, and current medications to provide to emergency services personnel. When the help button is pressed, an operator responds through the device’s two-way speaker within seconds. They assess the situation and dispatch assistance. Since your profile is on file, emergency responders and operators already have access to your information, allowing for faster and more individualized help.
The emergency operator will call or text your loved ones and caregivers in the event of an emergency. Your loved ones can respond to confirm they’re on their way or to get additional information.
During our test, we were connected to the monitoring center within 17 seconds of pressing the button.
Additional Safety Features
Several additional monitoring features stand out with Medical Care Alert. These safety features are helpful for seniors, caregivers and family members.
- Caregiver notifications: Caregivers are automatically updated when an emergency occurs, allowing them to confirm they’re on the way or request additional help.
- Lockboxes with every package: Each system includes a secure lockbox for your home key, allowing emergency responders to enter quickly if help is needed. Dispatchers only share the code and location when EMS is dispatched. Many competitors charge extra for this feature.
- Emergency medical information form: Customers receive a detailed form to record their address, medications, allergies, and conditions. Keeping it visible—such as on the refrigerator—ensures emergency personnel can access vital information immediately.
- Timely alerts and messages: When an emergency call is made, designated family members receive both a phone call and a text alert. Users can also create a group chat for everyone on the contact list to coordinate a quick response.
- Optional automatic fall detection: Available with all Medical Care Alert systems for an additional monthly fee. The waterproof pendant or SmartWatch PRO can detect a sudden fall and automatically connect to a U.S.-based emergency operator within 30 to 45 seconds. If the alert was accidental or the situation isn’t an emergency, you can cancel it before help is dispatched.
From Our Tester:
As with most devices we’ve tested, automatic fall detection services do not work 100% of the time. If you’ve fallen and are injured, it’s best to press the help button yourself to ensure it alerts emergency personnel, if necessary. During our test, automatic fall detection worked for significant, hard falls that occurred from a standing position, but falls that occurred from a seated position were less reliable.
How Much Does Medical Care Alert Cost?
Medical Care Alert prices range from $29.95 per month for an in-home landline-based system to $39.95 per month for a mobile cellular plan with GPS, a smartwatch option, or a combination plan. You can opt for a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual subscription plan. If you choose its annual plan, you’ll receive one month free and lock in your rate for years to come.
Medical Care Alert gives you 14 days to try a system at no cost. Every plan includes free equipment, no activation fees, and no long-term contracts. If you’re not happy with the system, you can return it for a refund within the 14-day trial period–no cancellation penalties or hidden fees.
| Product | Monthly Fee | Equipment Included | Fall Detection | GPS | Backup Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home System – Landline or Cellular | $29.95 landline$34.95 cellular | Base unit, help button (wrist or necklace), wall mount, lockbox, accessories | $10/month | None | 72 hours landline24 hours cellular |
| Senior Smartwatch With GPS | $39.95 | Watch, lockbox, caregiver app, accessories | $10/month | Yes | N/A |
| Home & Away MINI GPS | $39.95 | Pendant, lockbox, caregiver app, accessories | $10/month | Yes | 72 hours |
Setup Fees
No system setup, activation, or other fees apply when signing up for a HOME or HOME & AWAY MINI system. However, the SmartWatch PRO requires a one-time equipment purchase of $149.95. Monitoring for multiple individuals is free of charge (including spouses) with the at-home plans. There is an equipment charge for additional wearable help button devices.
Medical Care Alert offers a 14-day free trial. Customers must connect and activate the system during the trial before returning the equipment to avoid a $50 programming fee.
Warranties
Medical Care Alert equipment comes with a free lifetime replacement warranty for normal wear and tear. The company is responsible for all service or repairs and provides lifetime battery replacements. An optional extended warranty program covers Medical Care Alert bases and wearables against electrical damage, lightning strikes, and power surges. There are some deductibles involved with most equipment.
Returns
Medical Care Alert accepts returns at any time with no cancellation fees. If you decide to return your Medical Care Alert system, you will receive a refund with a prorated amount of prepaid service and subscription fees based on the date you ship the equipment back. If you did not use the equipment for at least 14 days and did not at least test the system, there is a $50 programming and restocking fee.
Medical Care Alert Complaints
The Better Business Bureau gives Medical Care Alert an “A” rating and confirms the company is BBB-accredited. There have been only a few customer complaints over the past three years, all of which have been addressed by the company. Trustpilot rates the company 4.5 out of 5 stars, reflecting strong overall satisfaction from users.
A few complaints we found centered on returning equipment, with Medical Care Alert claiming there was damage when the customer felt there was none. Others note that pendants or wristbands can feel bulky. However, most reviews highlight the responsiveness of the customer service and fast monitoring response times, along with a simple setup process.
Our Testing Methodology
We test medical alert systems, evaluating their ease of setup, in-home range, fall detection feature, and additional safety features to create our list of best medical alert systems.
Our medical alert testing and review process for Medical Care Alert was as follows:
- Navigate the Medical Care Alert website as mystery shoppers
- Purchase medical alert devices and set up the systems
- Set up each system and call the monitoring center
- Record how long it takes to reach the monitoring center
- Evaluate features such as battery life, response times, and fall detection
- Consult with aging-in-place specialists and accessibility experts to determine top buying considerations
Medical Care Alert FAQs
Medical Care Alert systems are designed for easy self-installation, with no professional setup or technician visit required. Each system arrives preprogrammed and ready to use right out of the box. Simply plug in the base unit or charge the mobile device, follow the quick-start guide, and press the help button to run a test call with a Medical Care Alert representative. Their U.S.-based support team is also available to walk you through activation over the phone if you’d like extra assistance.
Yes, if you use a HOME Medical Care Alert system. There is no additional monthly charge to monitor more than one person in a household, but each person will need to have their own personal medical alert wearable emergency button. The additional pendant or wristband is subject to a one-time cost depending on the model you choose. Since the HOME & AWAY and SmartWatch PRO systems use GPS, each person must have their own mobile device. Medical Care Alert offers a couples discount for the HOME & AWAY plans to make it more affordable for two users.
All Medical Care Alert emergency operators are EMT/EMD-certified professionals who complete extensive training in emergency medical response and customer care. The company’s U.S.-based monitoring centers are UL and FM-approved, and operators must have at least a two-year college education or military service before being hired. Each team includes bilingual staff, and every shift has certified EMTs and EMDs available to assist callers.
No. Medical Care Alert does not charge any fees for operator assistance. The company also encourages customers to test their emergency buttons weekly by pressing them and speaking with an emergency operator.
Every Medical Care Alert system comes with a backup battery that will last between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the model you buy. If there is a power outage or the backup batteries are low, a monitoring center operator gets a notification and will check on you. The base unit stops notifications when power is restored, or you replace the batteries.
Medical Care Alert offers a simple, customer-friendly return policy. Every system comes with a 14-day risk-free trial, giving you time to test the equipment and monitoring service at home. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can return the system for a full refund with no cancellation fees. After the trial period, you can still cancel at any time and receive a prorated refund for any unused prepaid service.
Medical Care Alert systems are not covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) or long-term care insurance policies may offer partial reimbursement for medical alert systems. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to see if your specific plan includes coverage or discounts for Medical Care Alert services.
Concluding Thoughts on Medical Care Alert
The sense of security that comes from knowing help is just a button push away is priceless for maintaining your independence as you age. Medical Care Alert systems deliver that peace of mind with dependable equipment, responsive U.S.-based operators, and pricing that’s guaranteed not to increase over time. Furthermore, the company’s strong reputation and user-friendly systems make it a viable contender when you are considering a personal medical alert system.
For comparisons with other medical alert systems, read: