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How To Get a Free Medical Alert System for Seniors
Programs like Medicaid, Veterans Benefits, and some Medicare Advantage plans can help seniors access a free medical alert system, but whether it’s actually free ultimately depends on your insurance provider, state, and existing medical conditions.
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At a glance:
- Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Veterans Benefits, and long-term care insurance plans are among the most reliable ways for older adults to obtain a free medical alert device.
- Local and national senior-focused organizations and nonprofits, such as the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and AARP, can also help you obtain a free medical alert system; however, access varies by region and eligibility.
- Your ability to access a free medical alert system will largely depend on whether the system is deemed medically necessary by your doctor and insurance provider.
As you and your loved ones age, access to automatic fall detection and fast, emergency responses becomes more than just a failsafe—it becomes a daily lifeline. Medical alert devices, also known as Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), play a vital role, but they don’t always fit into your monthly budget.
The fact is that Original Medicare, including both Part A and Part B, doesn’t cover the cost. Private insurances also offer no guarantees.
However, there are ways that seniors can access free medical alert systems. We’ve researched the most effective ways for seniors to cover the cost of in-home or mobile medical alert services, so you can have peace of mind knowing you’re protected without digging into your savings.
What To Expect: Understanding Medical Alert System Costs
Pricing for medical alert systems varies by the type of system, the emergency response services offered, and it’s additional safety features. For example, the average monthly monitoring fee for in-home landline-based systems is between $20 to $40, while wearable mobile devices that use a cellular connection are between $30 to $50.
However, that isn’t the only cost. Emergency alert systems may come with a variety of other costs, including:
- Startup costs like one-time installation and activation fees.
- Equipment and add-ons, such as automatic fall detection (typically an additional $5 to $10 per month), GPS tracking, caregiver mobile apps, family member monitoring, medication reminders, and more.
- Maintenance and Repairs are an occasional cost for keeping your emergency button functional and connected to the monitoring center.
The best medical alert systems clearly outline what you should expect to pay month-to-month and year-to-year. That way, you can better determine how to reduce the cost of emergency services.
Which Health Insurances Provide Free Medical Alert Systems for Seniors?
When it comes to getting your life-saving device for free, one of the most effective routes is to find a health insurance plan that covers mobile or in-home medical alert systems. Luckily for seniors, you have some options.
Medicaid
Medicaid offers a few different programs that can help seniors access free medical alert systems, also known as PERS (Personal Emergency Response Systems). Eligibility typically depends on your state of residence, income, and existing medical conditions.
First, we recommend exploring Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, which help seniors cover the cost of in-home care, such as PERS, rather than institutional care. Each state has different criteria for these waivers, so visit your state’s distinct Medicaid website for more information.
Other Medicaid programs, like Money Follows the Person (MFP) and personal care attendant services, can also help. Like HCBS waivers, they cover the cost of installing and maintaining monitoring systems if they help you sustain safety at home. Talk to your Medicaid caseworker or a local Area Agency on Aging to see what you qualify for and how to apply.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
While Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover medical alert systems, private healthcare plans like Medicare Advantage (Part C) might. Again, coverage varies by state and your individual insurance policy. Most Medicare Advantage plans will want you to get approval from your doctor to qualify.
To determine whether you’re covered, reach out to your Medicare Advantage insurance provider, or start looking for plans yourself on Medicare.gov.
Long-Term Care Insurance
These private insurance plans also sometimes cover the cost of medical alert systems—especially for seniors with medical conditions or disabilities. Long-term care insurance can take the form of individual, employer-sponsored, membership-based, or joint plans, but all provide financial assistance for services that support your at-home, daily living needs.
If you’re considering this option, we recommend reviewing the policy details carefully before investing in a plan. Talk to a long-term care insurance provider about whether medical alert devices are included in your benefits.
How To Get a Free Medical Alert System Through State and Local Programs
As mentioned above, states play a major role in determining your access to free medical alert systems. Each state has unique policies that impact eligibility, with California, Texas, and New York frequently cited as some of the easiest states to get the waivers you need.
And, even without Medicaid, there are state and local programs you can take advantage of:
Regional Resource Offices
Each state has its own Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), regional resource offices that can help seniors cover the cost of medical alert systems. AAA can help you understand Medicaid waivers, find local grants, or join nonprofit programs that can cover the cost of installation or monthly monitoring fees.
AARP Resources
AARP is a nonprofit organization that can help you pay for your medical alert system by connecting you with partner companies offering discounts, special pricing, or rebates. Many local AARP chapters can also help you access community-based programs or senior assistance funds. You can become an AARP member by visiting their website and talking to a representative.
Other Local Nonprofits and Community Assistance
Aside from AAA and AARP, your local community might have unique nonprofits, religious organizations, or senior centers that can help you get a free or discounted medical alert device. Some towns and counties even receive federal grants that provide seniors with free PERS units, as long as they need them to age safely in their homes. Look for local resources by visiting your area’s Department of Aging or talking to a social worker at a nearby senior center.
Accessing Free Monitoring Services Through The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers programs that enable senior veterans to obtain free or partially covered medical alert systems. Veterans Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS) waivers, for instance, work similarly to Medicaid waivers by allowing eligible veterans to cover the cost of in-home care services. Mobile or at-home help buttons might be covered, but only if your qualifying medical condition or disability is related to your military service.
To find out more, speak with your local VA healthcare provider. Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion can also qualify for benefits with specific medical alert companies, like LifeStation.
Medical Guardian
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
ADT Medical Alert
Great plans
Home temperature monitoring
Fixed-rate service
What Is a No-Monthly-Fee Medical Alert Device?
Monthly monitoring fees are the norm for medical alert systems, even if you can get them covered by health insurance or other programs. After all, it costs money to maintain a 24/7 call center staffed with trained responders.
There are some unmonitored devices that are free month-to-month, but these have very limited capabilities and might not be suitable for seniors living alone. Unmonitored devices don’t transfer real-time calls to a monitoring center; instead, they direct you to a limited number of emergency contacts or 911 directly.
The Best Medical Alert Systems You Can Get For Free
Not sure which free medical alert systems you can get using the methods outlined above? Here are some brands that work with insurance, Veterans Benefits, or nonprofits to help seniors cover the cost of their new system:
| Device Brand | Additional Safety Features | Methods for Covering Your System |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Guardian | – Wearable buttons – Mobile GPS tracking – Advanced caregiver alerts | AARP member discounts, long-term care insurance |
| ADT Health | – In-home and mobile coverage – Professional installation – Waterproof help button | State or local senior assistance programs, AAA |
| LifeStation | – 24/7 monitoring – GPS tracking – Optional fall detection | VA benefits and Veterans groups (VFW, American Legion) |
| Philips Lifeline | – Automatic fall detection – In-home and mobile options – Caregiver app | Medicaid HCBS waivers, long-term care insurance |
| Bay Alarm Medical | – Landline and cellular options – In-car medical alerts – GPS tracking | Medicare Advantage plans, local AAA assistance |
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many ways to save money on a medical alert system, such as choosing a health insurance plan that offers coverage and reaching out to state and local programs and organizations. Ultimately, how much money you save will depend on what you qualify for.
Other ways you can save money include:
– Finding discounts
– Choosing an in-home or unmonitored device
– Skipping out on extra safety features you don’t need
– Paying multiple months at a time or annually, instead of monthly
It is possible to get both in-home landline and mobile medical alert devices (smartphones, smartwatches, wristbands, etc.) for free, but the former is easier to cover than the latter due to overall costs. Unmonitored systems offer the benefit of no monthly monitoring fees, but without 24/7 access to an emergency call center.
While there is no “free” life alert system for seniors, brands like LifeStation work with the VA to provide affordable medical alert devices to seniors. Similarly, Philips Lifeline works with certain states to provide covered medical alert systems to Medicaid recipients.
Most private insurances and Original Medicare (Parts A and B) don’t cover the cost of medical alert systems, but some insurances might. For example, certain Medicaid waivers, Veterans Administration programs, and long-term care insurance offer coverage.
Sometimes. The VA also offers waivers that help cover the cost of medical alert systems for qualified senior veterans.
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