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Almost 150 years ago, Edward Callahan founded ADT, the first residential security system network to prevent home break-ins. Since then, ADT has expanded beyond home security into the health technology space with a line of medical alert systems.
Now, ADT Health offers medical alert systems for use at home or on the go. We found that the company provides uncomplicated, reliable systems during our latest ADT Health review, though they are slightly more expensive than other similar systems, with prices starting at $29.95 per month. However, they offer seasonal promotions and a price-lock guarantee to help you save. Let's dive right into ADT Health's packages and pricing.
This month, ADT Health is offering a promotion for new customers who purchase their system online. With this deal, you'll get free activation ($29.99 value), free shipping ($9.99 value), and $5 off fall detection every month. That adds up to $100 in savings for your first year of service. Talk about a deal!
ADT Health offers three plans available for different lifestyles: Basic, Plus, and On-The-Go. If you spend more time outside of the house, the On-The-Go system would be a better option. For older adults who rarely leave their home, the Basic or Plus plan might be more suitable.
| ADT Health | Medical Alert Basic | Medical Alert Plus | On-The-Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly prices | $29.99 | $35.99 | $39.99 |
| Suitable for | In the home | In the home and yard | At home and on the go |
| Range | 300 feet | 600 feet | 100 feet |
| Connection | Landline | Cellular | Cellular |
| Fall detection | No | $10 per month | $10 per month |
| Home temperature monitoring | Yes | Yes | No |
Medical Alert Basic is ADT Health's most affordable system, starting at $29.99 per month. There are some cheaper options for at-home systems on the market, though ADT's prices aren't outrageous. For comparison, Medical Alert's prices and Alert1's monthly costs both start at $19.95 per month.
ADT Health’s Medical Alert Basic system
This package comes with an in-home base unit and one waterproof pendant or wristband. The system has a 300-foot range and runs on a landline connection. As long as you're in range of the base station, you only need to press the wearable help button to connect to ADT's 24/7 monitoring center. An operator will be there to send help in under a minute.
Pro Tip: For the Basic and Plus systems, a light on the base unit will turn on every 30 days to remind you to make a test call and check your equipment. We appreciate that ADT Health takes this extra step to ensure that you are always protected and that their equipment is working properly.
While fall detection is not available with the Basic plan, home temperature monitoring is included. Since over 1,200 older adults die each year from fire-related incidents – the sixth leading cause of death in this age group – the temperature monitoring is a plus that adds value.1
The Medical Alert Plus system is a step up from the Basic plan. For $35.99 per month, you'll receive a 600-foot coverage range and cellular connection, which means you won't need a landline. This gives you more flexibility to place the system in the spot that works best in your home, as you won't need to plug the base unit into a phone jack. While the 600-foot range is still relatively small, it doubles the range of the Medical Alert Basic and allows for outside activities, such as gardening. If you're looking for an in-home system, we recommend upgrading from the Medical Alert Basic to this model, as the system offers more value for just $6 extra per month.
Setting up my Medical Alert Plus ADT Health system
Pro Tip: Visit our list of the best medical alert systems to compare ADT Health to other top providers.
The most useful element of this system in our eyes is the ability to add an automatic fall-detection pendant for $10 per month. With this feature, you will be connected to emergency personnel after a fall, even if you cannot press the help button. Temperature monitoring also comes with this plan. With its added features and versatility, we think that the Plus plan offers the best deal of the two in-home packages.
At $39.99 per month, the price for the On-The-Go system sits just $4 above the Plus plan. While it's not the least expensive mobile system on the market, it's comparable to Medical Guardian’s prices for similar options. With this wearable mobile system, you can travel anywhere in the U.S. that has AT&T cellular coverage.2 This system also has built-in GPS technology to track your location in case of an emergency. ADT Health's On-The-Go is the most practical plan for older adults who travel around town or on vacation.
Charging my On-The-Go Emergency Response ADT Health system
FYI: ADT offers user manuals and quick installation guides on its website.3 These manuals provide additional information about the installation process, the functionality of your device, and other FAQs.
In addition to the unlimited range and GPS technology, the main benefit of this plan is the portable unit's built-in help button and two-way speaker, which allow you to call for help in an emergency easily. ADT also offers fall detection for $10, but it's not programmed right into the mobile device. Instead, it is included with a separate neck pendant, so you'll need to remember to wear the pendant and carry the mobile device with you.
ADT Health offers a few basic add-ons to customize your medical alert system. Aside from fall detection, which we think is well worth the extra money spent, an extra wristband or neck pendant is a valuable add-on to consider for couples or roommates.
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wristband or neck pendant | Extra black or white help button | $14.99 one-time charge
$5 monthly monitoring fee |
| ADT lockbox | Stores key to prevent damage to property in case of emergency | $29.99 one-time charge |
| Automatic fall detection | Neck pendant for either cellular system that detects falls automatically | $10 per month |
| Waterproof wall mount button | Extra protection when button is not being worn | $2.50 per month per button |
Here are a few of our tips to get the best bargain with ADT Health before you purchase:
Pro Tip: By spending an extra $5 per month on an additional help button, spouses can both use one ADT Health at-home system. When you do the math for two users, the monthly fee for an ADT system breaks down to between $17 and $20 per person.
Now that we've filled you in on everything ADT Health has to offer, let's talk about you. Do you need this type of medical alert system? With so many options out there, it can be hard to know which company is the right fit for your needs. Considering the following statistic may help you decide.
FYI: The base units for both the Basic and Plus systems have a backup battery that lasts up to 30 hours, and the On-The-Go device has a rechargeable battery that lasts 24 hours. That means you won't have to worry about being unprotected during a power outage.
Because 1 in 3 American adults over age 65 suffer from a fall every year, many older adults benefit from medical alert systems,4 particularly those that include fall detection. ADT Health doesn't have many bells and whistles with their packages, but they offer basic systems, along with essential add-on features, like fall detection. With simple, easy-to-use systems and a long history of protecting households across America, ADT is a good option for keeping you or your aging family members protected.
For those who like simplicity and ease of use, ADT has a system for you. Keep in mind that ADT Health offers limited add-ons. For example, it doesn't provide an app with services for caregivers, like some other providers do, or a protection plan to guard against loss, theft, or damage. But the few extras it does offer are the essentials, like fall detection.
Of the three systems, we think On-The-Go provides the greatest value; it's in the same price range as other top cellular GPS systems and includes two-way talk, GPS location detection, and optional fall detection. On the other hand, Medical Alert Basic and Medical Alert Plus are barebones systems with minimal range but a higher price point than many other at-home systems. But with a price-lock guarantee, online ordering incentives, and inexpensive monitoring for spouses, the deal is tempting.
You can learn more about our experience with ADT by watching our video review below!
To purchase your ADT device, you can make a call to customer service or order online. We recommend speaking to a customer service agent before ordering.
To get in touch with an emergency monitoring professional, simply press the button on your ADT wristband or pendant. A caring professional will confirm over your two-way intercom if you need assistance. If there is an emergency, ADT emergency personnel can dispatch the appropriate responder to your location.
A traditional landline is necessary for ADT Health’s Basic package. However, the Plus and On-The-Go systems are wireless and do not require a landline.
While the help pendants are waterproof, the mobile device is water-resistant. It can be used in the shower but should not be submerged.
Yes, a lifetime warranty covers parts, labor, and service for normal wear and tear. It doesn’t cover lost, stolen, or damaged items.
American Burn Association. (2017). FIRE AND BURN SAFETY FOR OLDER ADULTS. Educator's Guide.
AT&T. (2021). Coverage Map.
ADT. (2021). System Manuals & User Guides FAQs.
National Institute on Aging. (2021). Prevent Falls and Fractures.
