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ADT Medical Alert vs. Medical Care Alert
Both ADT Medical Alert and Medical Care Alert offer in-home, basic systems that use a landline and on-the-go devices that use a cellular connection. ADT medical alert systems offer faster response times, while Medical Care Alert systems provide superior battery life.
Great plans
Home temperature monitoring
Fixed-rate service
Great fast response
Certified responders
No equipment charges
Updated:
At a glance:
- ADT Medical Alert’s monthly monitoring fees range between $32–$42, depending on the device, while Medical Care Alert’s are between $30–$40. ADT has activation fees, but the only upfront cost you’ll pay for Medical Care Alert is the equipment fee for their smartwatch.
- ADT monitoring has an average response time of 15 seconds, over twice as fast as Medical Care Alert’s average of 31 seconds.
- Medical Care Alert’s on-the-go systems can last up to 72 hours (3 days) on a full charge, and in-home base units have a 72-hour backup battery. On the other hand, ADT offers devices with 36-40 hours of battery life (about a day-and-a-half) and 20-30 hours of backup battery life.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect in-home medical alert system or mobile device, both ADT Medical Alert and Medical Care Alert offer a variety of options. With these devices, older adults and their loved ones can have fast access to a monitoring center when medical emergencies occur.
However, you might not know which company is best for you. To determine this, our team compares these two popular brands based on system costs, add-ons, response times, battery life, and more. Read on to find a system that helps you live your lifestyle safely, from traveling to simple daily tasks while aging in place—without breaking the budget.
ADT Medical Alert vs. Medical Care Alert: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Pricing and features | ADT Medical Alert | Medical Care Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home base unit starting price | $31.99/month (landline) $39.99/month (cellular) | $29.95/month (landline) $34.95/month (cellular) |
| Mobile device starting price | $41.99/month | $39.99/month |
| Automatic Fall detection price | $11/month | $10/month |
| Minimum contract required | No long-term contracts | No long-term contracts |
| Average response time | 15 seconds | 31 seconds |
| Smartwatch option | No | Yes |
Comparing Medical Care Alert and ADT Medical Alert Systems
If you’re looking for the best medical alert system to address your mobility concerns, we’ve compared both Medical Care Alert and ADT Medical Alert to help you get started. Reaching out to your local doctor or provider for recommendations can also be beneficial.
Activation Fees and Monthly Costs
- ADT Medical Alert: Monthly fees for the in-home, landline-based system start at $31.99, while on-the-go help buttons and wristbands are more expensive ($41.99). There are no equipment fees, but you will need to pay an activation fee of $99.00 to start using your new device.
- Medical Care Alert: Aside from their smartwatch, which has an equipment fee of $149.95, there are no other upfront costs. Landline base stations start at $29.95/month, while mobile smartwatches and GPS tracking systems start at $39.99.
Emergency Response Speed
- ADT Medical Alert: Average response times of around 15 seconds mean that you’ll get access to emergency services over twice as fast as you would with Medical Care Alert.
- Medical Care Alert: Some users have reported response times under 25 seconds, but the majority of independent reviews put the average closer to 31 seconds. This is faster than companies like Life Alert but slower than many other brands.
Battery Life and Reliability
- ADT Medical Alert: Decent battery life, with wearable systems lasting 36–40 hours, or nearly two days, on a full charge. In-home base stations also include a 20–30-hour backup battery.
- Medical Care Alert: Industry-leading battery capabilities, with devices that can last up to 72 hours (3 days) fully charged. In-home base units also have a 72-hour backup battery. The company’s companion apps send you, caregivers, and family members charging notifications when needed.
Mobile App Integration
- ADT Medical Alert: There is no dedicated app for caregivers, though you can connect your medical alert device to your ADT home security system via the MyADT portal. On the portal, you can manage billing for both services, update emergency contacts, and view monitoring information.
- Medical Care Alert: Depending on the device, both the Medical Alert Connect app and RemoteCare 24/7 app give seniors more peace of mind and confidence in their health care. These apps allow you to monitor device status, track your location, and stay connected with caregivers.
Customer Support and Privacy Policies
- ADT Medical Alert: ADT Health’s US-based monitoring center is open 24/7 to handle medical emergencies. There are no cancellation fees, and medical alert systems include a lifetime warranty if you invest in the Premium Protection Plan. Your information may be shared with third parties.
- Medical Care Alert: Also provides access to a well-reviewed, 24/7 US-based monitoring center. Devices include a 14-day risk-free trial, with no cancellation fees. The company’s privacy policy limits third-party sharing.
ADT Medical Alert
Great plans
Home temperature monitoring
Fixed-rate service
Medical Care Alert
Great fast response
Certified responders
No equipment charges
In-Home and Wearable Device Options
| Device type | ADT Medical Alert | Medical Care Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home systems | Yes | Yes |
| Pendants | Yes | Yes |
| Bracelets | Yes | Yes |
| Smartwatches | No | Yes |
Available Features and Add-ons
| Additional feature | ADT Medical Alert | Medical Care Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | Select devices | Select devices |
| GPS location tracking | Select devices have advanced tracking | Select devices have advanced tracking |
| Health tracking | Not Available | Available on smartwatches |
| Temperature monitoring | In-home devices | Not Available |
| Mobile app features | Not Available | Medical Alert Connect and RemoteCare 24/7 |
| Two-way communication | All devices | All devices |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
| Wall-mount button | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
Examples of ADT Medical Alert Systems
While ADT started as a business protection and security company, they’ve since used their technology to branch out into an affordable medical alert brand for seniors. ADT Health provides both landline- and cellular-based in-home systems, as well as an on-the-go system with a pendant and wristbands. There is a $99.00 activation fee to start using devices.
Great plans
ADT Medical Alert
- Home temperature monitoring
- Fixed-rate service
| ADT Medical Alert system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Alert Basic | $31.99 | In-home (landline) | Fall detection, two-way communication, waterproof pendant/wristband, temperature monitoring, 300 ft range, lockbox |
| Medical Alert Plus | $39.99 | In-home (cellular) | Fall detection, two-way communication, waterproof pendant/wristband, temperature monitoring, 600 ft range |
| On-The-Go | $41.99 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, waterproof help button |
Examples of Medical Care Alert Systems
Medical Alert offers in-home systems and mobile medical alert devices. In-home base stations can use either a landline or a cellular network. Mobile devices, which all use a cellular connection, include fall detection pendants, wristbands, and smartwatches. The smartwatches are the only system that requires equipment fees ($149.95), and there are no activation fees.
For another comparison, check out our Medical Care Alert vs. Personal Living Alert article.
Great fast response
Medical Care Alert
- Certified responders
- No equipment charges
| Medical Care Alert system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOME Emergency Medical Alert System | $29.95 (landline) $34.95 (cellular) | In-home (landline or cellular) | Fall detection, two-way communication, water-resistant help button, up to 1,000-ft range, lockbox |
| HOME & AWAY MINI GPS Medical Alert System | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way voice communication, water-resistant, companion app, 3-day battery life |
| Senior Smart Watch With GPS | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, water-resistant, companion app, 2-day battery life |
Our Conclusion: ADT Medical Alert Is Best for Aging in Place, While Medical Care Alert Excels for Active Seniors
Both ADT Medical Alert and Medical Care Alert offer affordable in-home and on-the-go devices with a range of features. If you spend most of your time at home, ADT Medical Alert’s ability to integrate with ADT’s in-home security systems, as well as faster response times, makes it a great choice for aging in place. First responders get the information they need to show up in a timely manner, potentially saving lives.
On the other hand, Medical Care Alert provides superior battery life for seniors who regularly shop, travel, or visit family. Companion apps also make it easy for seniors and their caregivers to track device status.
Ultimately, the best medical alert company for you and your loved ones is a careful balance between your current budget, mobility needs, and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) When Comparing ADT Medical Alert vs. Medical Care Alert
Yes, in-home and on-the-go systems offered by both brands include automatic fall detection as an optional add-on. Medical Care Alert’s fall detection services add $10/month to the price, while ADT’s add $11/month.
ADT Medical Alert has response times that are over twice as fast on average (15 seconds) as Medical Care Alert (31 seconds). However, both offer better response times than companies like Life Alert.
Medical Care Alert offers longer battery life, with systems lasting 2–3 days on a full charge, depending on the device. Most ADT Medical Alert devices last no longer than a day and a half.
No, neither ADT nor Medical Care Alert services require long-term contracts, and services can be cancelled at any time, free of charge.
No, ADT Medical Alert devices are not security systems, but they can be paired with ADT security systems to provide more comprehensive monitoring services.
We’ve reviewed several reliable medical alert companies, including Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, MobileHelp, and Lifeline. Explore our reviews to learn more.