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Medical alert systems can provide peace of mind and enhanced independence for older adults who live alone. But medical alert systems are an investment. They can cost $20 to $70 a month, depending on the system. Social Security benefits are just $475 a month on average,1 so seniors living on a fixed income may find it challenging to fit this into their budget.
We’ve learned that selecting the right medical alert provider can make all the difference in affordability. Below, we’ve pared it down to the six most affordable systems. So, if you’re looking for a great system that’s easy on the wallet, you’re in the right place.
Our Top Providers for Affordable Medical Alert Systems
We compared prices and considered the value of a dozen systems on the market. From there, we selected the six most affordable medical alert systems. To make the cut, a system had to be affordable, of course, but also reliable and easy to use. As you’ve probably discovered, a low price doesn’t always mean a quality product. Fortunately, that doesn’t ring true for these systems. Despite their affordability, these top six systems offer trusted protection and quality equipment.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOS Home | $24.95 per month (landline) $29.95 per month (cellular) |
No | No | No | In-home use with a landline or cellular connection |
SOS Mobile | $29.95 per month | $99 | No | No | On-the-go help button |
SOS Smartwatch | $34.95 per month | $159 | No | No | On-the-go for active users |
SOS All-in-One | $39.95 per month | $30 for system with fall detection | No | No | In-home and on-the-go use |
If you’re looking for a reliable system at the right price, this provider is a solid choice. As you’ll read in our Bay Alarm Medical review, their products are simple and easy to use. They don’t have a large catalog of products or fancy features, but if you prefer affordability over frills, Bay Alarm Medical has you covered.
Call to speak with a Bay Alarm Medical representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Bay Alarm Medical's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mobile Plus | $24.99 per month | $49.99 | $35 | No | On-the-go protection with a wearable help button |
Jitterbug Smart 3 | $19.99 per month | $149.99 | $35 | No | Medical alert features coupled with smartphone functions |
Jitterbug Flip2 | $19.99 per month | $99.99 | $35 | No | A flip phone with medical alert features |
Lively on Apple Watch, iPhone, or Alexa-enabled device | $24.99 per month | N/A | No | No | Safety features on your own device |
Affordable mobile medical alert systems can be hard to find. Though Lively charges equipment and activation fees, they are one-time costs. Their recurring monthly service fees are affordable compared to other GPS systems we’ve seen, so they have our stamp of approval. If you’re not a fan of using a smartphone, we recommend going with Lively’s Mobile Plus system. Check out our full review of Lively’s medical alert products for more information.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Guardian | $29.95 per month | No | No | No | In-home use with a landline |
Home 2.0 | $37.95 per month | $149.95 | No | No | In-home use without a landline |
Mini Guardian | $44.95 per month | $149.95 | No | No | On-the-go help button |
Mobile 2.0 | $44.95 per month | No | No | No | On-the-go help button |
MGMove | $39.95 per month | $199.95 | No | No | On-the-go use, smartwatch style |
If you’re looking for the absolute lowest price, you won’t find it with Medical Guardian. What you will find is quality, high-tech systems that are discreet and convenient. We think their prices are still affordable for seniors who have a little wiggle room in their budgets. Seasonal deals and paying quarterly (or annually) can help you save some money when purchasing a system from Medical Guardian.
Call to speak with a Medical Guardian representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Medical Guardian's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-Home Landline | $29.95 per month | No | No | No | In-home use with a landline |
At-Home Cellular | $34.95 per month | No | No | No | In-home use without a landline |
At-Home & On-the-Go | $39.95 per month | No | No | No | In-home and on-the-go use |
At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP Active | $43.95 per month | No | No | No | On-the-go help button |
At-Home & On-the-Go, VIPx | $45.95 per month | No | No | No | Small on-the-go help button |
At-Home & On-the-Go Smartwatch Active | $49.95 per month | No | No | No | Smartwatch |
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in those over age 65.3 A system with automatic fall detection can give you peace of mind that help is on the way if you need it. LifeFone’s price for automatic fall detection is one of the lowest we’ve seen, and when we tested out LifeFone’s systems, we found them simple to use.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
In-the-Home | $28.95 per month ($19.95 per month for 10 months) | No | $19.95 | No | In-home use without a landline |
In-the-Home + Fall Detection | $38.95 per month ($29.95 per month for 10 months) | No | $19.95 | No | In-home use with fall detection |
On-the-Go | $38.95 per month ($29.95 per month for 10 months) | No | $19.95 | No | On-the-go help button |
On-the-Go + Fall Detection | $48.95 per month ($39.95 per month for 10 months) | No | $19.95 | No | On-the-go help button with fall detection |
On-the-Go Wrist Watch with GPS + Pedometer | $38.95 per month ($29.95 per month for 10 months) | $179 | $19.95 | No | On-the-go watch-style system |
On-the-Go + In-the-Home + Fall Detection | $58.95 per month ($49.95 per month for 10 months) | No | $19.95 | No | In-home and on-the-go use with fall detection |
For seniors looking for a great deal on a medical alert system, Alert1 may be the “one” for you. If you opt for the 10-month plan and snag any available promos, you can get a great price on a medical alert system for yourself or a loved one. As you’ll read in our Alert1 review, we found the multitude of add-on options and pricing a bit confusing, but their customer support agents were happy to help us sort out which system was best for our needs.
System | Starting price | Equipment fee | Activation fee | Installation fee | Designated purpose |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cellular Medical Alert System | $300 per year ($25 per month) | No | No | No | In-home use without a landline |
Mobile GPS Medical Alert System | $400 per year ($33.33 per month) | No | No | No | On-the-go help button |
As long as paying upfront for a year of service isn’t a deterrent for you, QMedic is very affordable. With free shipping and no extra fees, it’s a straightforward expense. Caregivers need all the help they can get, and QMedic’s monitoring provides peace of mind and valuable insights. However, if you cancel your service, they won’t refund you for the months of unused service.
Still looking for the right device for you? Get more insights from our experts by checking out our list of this year’s best medical alert systems.
Original Medicare does not typically cover the cost of a medical alert system. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), though, it may cover the full or partial cost of a medical alert system. Contact your plan representative to see if your plan offers coverage.
Getting a free medical alert system is possible for some seniors, but it will definitely take some digging. Here are a few resources you can tap into to see if a free medical alert system is an option for you.
If you can’t get a free medical alert system, you may be able to get one at a discounted price. Here are a few tips for getting the lowest price on your medical alert system:
Linda’s Acclaimed Career in Senior Care Linda Schlenker is a comforting voice for seniors and caregivers across the U.S. For nearly three decades, Linda has helped seniors remain safe in their own homes, while helping them to regain priceless independence and peace… Learn More About Linda Schlenker
Morgan has been writing about the senior living industry for the past five years. In addition to over 400 hours of research on topics like medical alert systems, health insurance, and technology for older adults, she also brings her previous experience working… Learn More About Morgan Redding
NCOA. (2021). Get the Facts on Economic Security for Seniors.
NIH. (2021). Prevent Falls and Fractures.
NCOA. (2021). 6 Falls Prevention Steps to Help Your Older Loved Ones.