Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian

An Overview of Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian

Bay Alarm Medical was formed in 2007 as a subsidiary of Bay Alarm, a leader in security services for over 70 years. The company has a user-friendly website, and customer support is available by live chat or phone. Known for its affordable prices, Bay Alarm Medical is a top-of-the-line medical alert provider that offers simple, reliable protection.

In comparison, Medical Guardian, founded in 2005, has more high-tech features like a smartwatch system with texting, calendar alerts, a companion app, and location tracking that is ideal for caregivers or adult children. Today, more than 200,000 Americans use Medical Guardian for medical alert protection. Monthly service fees are a bit higher than Bay Alarm Medical, but they don’t have any hidden fees or long-term contracts. Seniors and caregivers value their sleek and innovative medical alert systems.

Comparing Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian

*Prices vary by chosen payment plan

Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical both offer at-home and on-the-go systems, with Medical Guardian offering a bit more variety in their lineup.

For seniors who want a mobile, on-the-go system, Medical Guardian has sleek systems in varying styles. On the other hand, Bay Alarm Medical’s mobile system is bulkier but still has a great four-day battery life at a reasonable price. Let’s look at some of the providers’ most unique offerings.

Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch is a modern alternative to traditional medical alert systems. Users can check the time, track their steps, set daily goals, and call for help with an easy-to-navigate menu. This touchscreen smartwatch is more streamlined than Medical Guardian’s watch and has less advanced features, so it’s best for seniors who don’t want too many bells and whistles.

Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch

These prices include a discount for enrolling in autopay. Fortunately, as far as T-Mobile phones go, there are discounts available for adults ages 55 and older; that is if they buy two unlimited lines starting with the Essentials Choice 55 plan for $30 per line per month, or $60 per line total. For one line, prices start at $45 a month with the 55-and-over discount. There are also discounts for military members, veterans, and first responders. All of the phone plans have unlimited 5G and 4G LTE data plus unlimited talk and text.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Here’s a money-saving tip. If you’re interested in at-home and on-the-go protection, check out Bay Alarm Medical’s bundling options. You can save on your monthly rates and equipment fees and get free shipping as a bonus.

Bay Alarm also offers a system great for both at-home and on-the-go use. The SOS All-in-One 2 is a mobile device rich with features. This mobile device pairs with a lighter, more discreet help button that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck.

Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian's MGMove is a watch with calendar alerts, messaging capabilities, and a companion mobile app. Like Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch, it also has step tracking for active seniors.

The MGMini Lite is a small, discreet on-the-go system that’s about half the size of traditional mobile units. Worn on the wrist, it’s an excellent option for seniors who want something less bulky and more modern.

Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite

If you’re looking for a more traditional at-home system, the MGHome Cellular is a solid choice. It’s more sleek than Bay Alarm Medical’s at-home system, and it has a 1,400-foot coverage range, perfect for larger homes. We could place the base unit on one end of the house and press our help button at the other end to connect with an operator in under a minute.

Testing out Medical Guardian's MGHome Cellular system

How Much Do Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian Cost?

Nearly half of single seniors depend on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income,1 so finding a provider that works for your budget is essential, especially for those on fixed incomes. Fortunately, both Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian have a range of service options at varying prices. It isn’t one size fits all! We’ll take a closer look at the costs below.

Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical – In the Home

For seniors who desire low-cost and essential protection, Bay Alarm Medical’s prices are hard to beat. Their SOS Home is just $24.95 per month, which is cheaper than the equivalent from Medical Guardian. If you have a history of falling or fainting, you may want to consider automatic fall detection, which will add $15 per month to your bill. So, for $39.95 per month, you can get basic medical alert protection in your home and automatic fall protection from Bay Alarm Medical. We believe this is adequate protection at a relatively low cost for seniors who spend a lot of time at home. When we tested the SOS Home, we were connected to a live operator in just 20 seconds.

For those who want a smartwatch system, Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch starts at $39.95 per month with a one-time $179 device fee. Its monthly fees and equipment costs are less expensive than Medical Guardian’s MGMove watch. MGMove costs $42.95 per month and $199.95 for the one-time equipment charge. We found the SOS Smartwatch simple and sleek. We connected to the 24/7 monitoring center in just 10 seconds (five seconds faster than MGMove!).

When we tested out the SOS Micro, we found it simple to install and use and it was easy to carry and very light. We wore it on a walk, while running errands, and at home. It is one of the most cost-effective options on the market, with plans starting at $29.95 per month.

Extra costs you may encounter when purchasing a medical alert system from Bay Alarm Medical:

• $99-$159 one-time equipment fees on some packages
• $10-$15 per month for automatic fall detection
• $2-$3 per month for an extended warranty
• $30 for lockboxes
• $8 for additional Vial of Life emergency medical information forms
• $39 one-time fee to purchase an extra help button

Medical Guardian

Our editor Taylor Shuman's grandma testing out MGClassic

Medical Guardian’s prices are somewhat higher than Bay Alarm Medical, but the technology is sleeker. Plus, more features and systems are available, including a companion app and a more advanced smartwatch system. Since more older adults have continued to adopt technology over the years,2 high-tech medical alert systems are alluring to tech-savvy seniors.

Keep in mind that adding all the bells and whistles will bump up the price a bit. For example, if you’re interested in MGMove, and you decide to add all the extra available features, it will cost you over $20 per month for service.

Though Medical Guardian’s prices are a bit higher than Bay Alarm Medical and other competitors we’ve reviewed, like LifeStation, we found the price is worth Medical Guardian’s advanced features and sleek equipment.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

I’d recommend choosing an annual plan from Medical Guardian. It can save you nearly $45 a year. Plus, since Medical Guardian doesn’t have long-term contracts, you can get a refund for your unused months if you discontinue service within the year.

Extra costs you may encounter when purchasing a medical alert system from Medical Guardian:

• $149.95-$199.95 one-time equipment fee for some systems
• $10 per month for fall detection
• $6.99 per month protection plan
• $2.99 per month for extra help button
• $12.50 for shipping (waived on annual plans)
• $2.99 per month for enhanced emergency notifications on select plans

Accessories and Add-Ons

You can boost the protection of your medical alert system with a range of add-ons. Both Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical have a similar catalog of accessories, with a few nuances.

Add-on Equipment Offered by Both Providers

• Lockbox: This secure box is placed on your front door with a key inside. Emergency services will not have to break down your door to enter, saving you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
• Additional Help Button: Available in wrist and pendant style, users can press these water-resistant help buttons in the event of an emergency.
• Wall button: Users can place these red buttons around the home in fall-prone areas such as the bathroom or kitchen. When pressed, they alert the provider’s call center.
• Charms/Jewelry Pendants: Sprucing up your help button pendants can be fun and make your alert system less obvious. Bay Alarm Medical offers charms that can be placed over your help button, while Medical Guardian has jewelry necklaces with built-in help buttons.

Don’t Miss the Fine Print

Now that we’ve touched on pricing and equipment let’s delve into the fine print. We all enjoy surprises, but hidden fees aren’t one of them! You’ll be glad to know that neither Bay Alarm Medical nor Medical Guardian has long-term contracts, unlike Life Alert, which requires a long contract commitment. That means you can cancel your service at any time, and you will not be penalized. If you cancel your Medical Guardian service, you may have to pay a restocking fee, but you will get a prorated refund for any unused days of service. The same goes for Bay Alarm Medical; if you cancel before your prepaid term ends, they will refund you for the months of service you did not use.

Bay Alarm Medical offers a 30-day risk-free trial; Medical Guardian doesn’t have anything comparable. When it comes to lost or damaged equipment, you may want to consider a protection plan from Medical Guardian for $6.99 per month. Without it, you could end up paying $350 to replace damaged or stolen equipment. Bay Alarm Medical offers a protection plan for $2 to $3 per month, depending on the system you choose. Without it, repairing or replacing a system could cost you up to a few hundred dollars.

Final Thoughts

The good news is you can’t go wrong by selecting Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian; they are both top-tier providers with reliable service. Bay Alarm Medical is an excellent choice for budget-conscious seniors or those looking for simplicity, while Medical Guardian is a better option for tech-savvy seniors. If you want more information, check out our Medical Guardian review and Bay Alarm Medical review.