One Call Alert Medical Alert System
With six options available below $45, One Call Alert offers an emergency response system for most budgets.
SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
One Call Alert offers six medical alert systems to choose from, starting at just $19.95 per month. Though they don’t have all the latest features of other companies we’ve reviewed, including Bay Alarm Medical, such as a companion mobile app or activity tracking, One Call Alert offers excellent value and dependability.
Serving over 100,000 customers, One Call Alert has provided protection and peace of mind for seniors and their families for more than 20 years. Recommended by health care professionals across the country, One Call Alert helps older adults live independently while knowing that help is one call away. One Call Alert caters to budget-conscious customers with affordable monthly rates, no contracts, and a 30-day risk-free trial.
FYI: Want to compare your options? Check out our list of this year’s best medical alert systems.
One Call Alert at a Glance
- Affordable subscription options
- Diverse product lineup
- No long-term contracts
- In-home range up to 1,300 feet
- Showerproof buttons
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free caregiver portal to ensure confidence for family and caregivers
- Activation fees for some plans
One Call Alert vs. Other Medical Alert Brands
One Call Alert offers various plans at affordable prices, as well as systems for at-home and on-the-go protection. If you’re not 100 percent sold on One Call Alert, you can still try it for 30 days with a full money-back guarantee. That said, One Call Alert does charge activation fees, and its systems don’t offer the latest and greatest technology. If you want to compare One Call Alert to other top options, see the best providers that we have reviewed below.
The Fast Facts: One Call Alert’s Equipment and Pricing
System | Price per month* | Fall detection | System type |
---|---|---|---|
Wired Home | $24.95 | N/A | At-home landline |
One Call Alert Classic | $19.95 | $11 per month | At-home cellular |
One Call Alert Solo | $37.95 | $11 per month | At-home cellular |
Mobile Duo | $44.95 | $11 per month | On-the-go cellular |
One Call Alert Micro | $39.95 | $11 per month | On-the-go cellular |
One Call Alert Duo | $41.95 | $11 per month | At-home and on-the-go cellular |
*Discounted monthly rates are available with quarterly, semiannual, and annual plans.
A Closer Look at One Call Alert Systems and Value
A One Call Alert system can provide protection in your home or on the go. Upon pressing your help button, you’ll be connected to an operator at their call center. The highly trained operators are certified by the Security Industry Association1 and will notify your loved one or send emergency services, depending on the situation. We’ll dive into the details of each system below.
One Call Alert Wired Home
For homebodies or those who live in an area with spotty cellular coverage, the Wired Home is a great option. Starting at just $24.95 per month, this system will connect to your existing telephone line and provide 24/7 in-home monitoring service with a coverage area of 600 feet. Featuring a 32-hour backup battery, wearable button, and two-way communication capabilities, the Wired Home offers basic features to keep you safe in your home at a great monthly price.
Money-Saving Tip: When you order your system, ask a representative if free shipping is available. This could save you $15.
This model is $5 to $10 cheaper per month than competitors’ basic options, including Medical Guardian’s monthly costs and ADT Health’s starting prices, so it’s an affordable choice. However, you can’t add fall detection to this system, so if you’re at high risk of a fall, you’ll want to check out One Call Alert’s other systems.
One Call Alert Classic
Much like the Wired Home system, the Classic system provides older adults with protection in and around the home — though this system uses cellular coverage for service instead of a landline. The Classic has a 32-hour backup battery, a wearable button, and two-way communication so you can quickly speak with an emergency operator if needed.
Double-Check: Before purchasing the Solo, Classic, Duo, Mobile Duo, or Micro system, make sure your home is in the AT&T network2 coverage area.
At $19.95 per month, this system will save you a few dollars a month compared to the Wired Home. Thanks to the cellular connection, it also gives you the freedom to place your system anywhere in the home, even if it’s not close to a landline. For extra protection and peace of mind, you can add automatic fall detection to this system for $11 per month.
One Call Alert Solo
With the Solo system from One Call Alert, older adults can rest assured that emergency help is just one push away, no matter where they are. This mobile system costs $37.95 per month and uses GPS tracking and nationwide cellular coverage to provide on-the-go protection. You can wear the Solo system around your neck or put it in your pocket while you’re out and about, and place it on its charging base when you’re at home, making it versatile and a great value for the price.
Mobile Duo
Perfect for couples, One Call Alert’s Mobile Duo system provides coverage for two seniors at the cost of a single system. You and your spouse don’t have to purchase two Solo systems; this system comes with two mobile units for $44.95 per month. It will save you over $25 a month compared to purchasing two separate systems. Some providers we’ve reviewed, like Lifeline, require couples to buy two separate medical alert systems, which adds up very quickly and makes the Mobile Duo an affordable option for spouses. Like the Solo system, the Mobile Duo is great for active older adults who would like to have a medical alert system at their fingertips, just in case.
FYI: One Call Alert doesn’t require long-term contracts, so you can cancel your service at any time without penalty. No pesky cancellation fees here.
One Call Alert Micro
If you’re looking for a small, lightweight mobile system, the Micro is a great choice. It’s also One Call Alert’s third most expensive mobile system at $39.95 per month. Still, if you want a more modern-looking device, it may be worth the extra cost. You can wear this system anywhere and call for help at the touch of a button. It features multi-mode location tracking to ensure help can be sent directly to you, no matter where you are.
One Call Alert Duo
One Call Alert’s most comprehensive system, Duo, provides protection in your home and on the go. Using cellular service, the Duo system connects you to an emergency operator when you press your button or the system detects a fall. For $41.95 per month, you’ll get an in-home base unit, a mobile medical alert unit and charger, and a wearable help button. This system offers excellent value for a single older adult who desires protection in and out of the home. You’re basically getting two alert systems for the price of one.
Add-on Accessories: Pricing and Features
One Call Alert offers a lineup of equipment and features that you can typically purchase for an additional fee.
Fall Button
For an extra $11 a month, you can add automatic fall detection to your wireless or mobile One Call Alert system. With this add-on, the system will automatically detect a fall. If you are unconscious and can’t press your button, emergency services will still be alerted. If you have a history of falls or just want the extra protection, this add-on is worth the price.
Lockbox
Every One Call Alert system includes a free lockbox (a $29.95 value) that goes around the front doorknob of your home. During an emergency, first responders can enter your home without breaking down the door. They will simply enter the code you give them to access a key. This added perk can save you from replacing your front door, which could cost hundreds of dollars.
Money-Saving Tip: One Call Alert throws in a free lockbox with every order and provides free activation and free ground shipping on most plans.
Connect Premium
Starting at $5 per month, this protection plan covers the cost of any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment, so you won’t have to pay replacement fees. Plus, it lets you lock in your monthly rates so you’ll never have to worry about price hikes, and it provides discounts for add-on accessories and extra equipment.
Medication Reminders
If you are on lifesaving medications or struggle to remember when it’s time to take your meds, medication reminders can help you stay on track and ensure you get your prescription when you need it. For $5 per month, you can set up daily medication reminders with the Classic and Duo systems.
How to Get the Best Deal With One Call Alert
Depending on the package and payment option you choose, One Call Alert’s prices range from $19.95 to $44.95 per month. Though One Call Alert offers solid value compared to some of the best medical alert systems out there, they do still have a little ways to go on helping you save further. For the best deal, we recommend an annual payment plan, as it can save you money on monthly rates.
For example, if you choose to purchase the Duo system and pay monthly, you’ll end up paying over $500 in the first year. Instead, we recommend purchasing an annual plan upfront at $443.40, which will save you about $60.
Buyer’s Tip: You can pay for your One Call Alert system monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually. We’d recommend the annual payment option, as it typically offers the most savings per month.
Keep in mind that the prices shown on One Call Alert’s website are promotional rates for new customers. After one year of service, your One Call Alert rates may increase. To avoid unexpected price hikes, we’d recommend adding Connect Premium to your plan, as it locks in your rates for life.
Is One Call Alert Right for Me?
In the United States, 27 percent of adults over the age of 60 live alone.3 If you fall while you’re by yourself and cannot get up, help could take hours to arrive. With One Call Alert, you won’t have to worry about reaching a phone during an emergency. You’ll simply press your wearable help button and, no matter where you are, the system will connect you to a live operator. First responders will be sent to help before you know it. One Call’s help buttons are waterproof, so you can use them in high-risk areas like the bathroom for the ultimate coverage. If you’re at high risk of a fall or just want some extra peace of mind, One Call Alert is a solid choice.
Did You Know? One Call Alert offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all systems. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
Overall, we’d recommend One Call Alert for the following types of users:
- Older adults who want an affordable system
- Those who don’t want the bells and whistles
- Spouses or roommates who both want protection
- Those who want a hybrid in-home and on-the-go system
Final Thoughts on Pricing and Value for One Call Alert
Overall, One Call Alert provides reliable protection and a versatile product lineup at reasonable prices. However, they lack some of their competitors’ bells and whistles. If you’re looking for a stylish necklace for your help button, a companion app, or a smartwatch system, you won’t find it with One Call Alert. However, they do have great freebies and monthly discounts for those who purchase an annual plan. Plus, with prices starting at $19.95 per month, they’re one of the more affordable options on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions About One Call Alert
-
How much does a One Call Alert System cost per month?
Prices start at $19.95 per month and range up to $44.95 per month. The payment plan and system you select will impact your monthly rates.
-
Can I wear my One Call Alert button in the bathtub or shower?
Yes. All of One Call Alert’s help buttons are waterproof.
-
How far away from the base station will the alert button work?
The alert buttons have a range of 1,300 feet. As long as you are within that range, your button will work.
-
Can I sign up for one month at a time?
You can sign up for a month-to-month plan, but the company gives discounts to those who purchase annual, semiannual, or quarterly plans.
-
Does One Call Alert offer fall detection?
Yes. Fall detection is available on all of their systems except for the Wired Home system.
SIA. (2020). About SIA.
AT&T. (2020). Wireless coverage map.
Pew Research Center. (2020). Older people are more likely to live alone in the U.S. than elsewhere in the world.