If you’ve searched the internet for pricing information on medical alert, one option comes out more than others; Life Alert. However, as you probably already know, Life Alert doesn’t publicize its fees and prices online. Unless you’ve been able to call its sales department, you may find yourself asking, “What’s the cost of Life Alert?” Here, we cover the facts behind the company as well as their equipment, policies, and pricing to give you the answers that elude most individuals.  

 

About Life Alert

The Life Alert system was the first on the scene to provide specialized technology to safeguard aging adults against medical emergencies at home, and they continue to do things the old-fashioned way. It’s not possible to order a Life Alert system online—you need to call in to request a brochure and talk to a salesperson if you want to place an order. 

 

Life Alert Features and Equipment: How it Works and What it Costs

A basic Life Alert system is composed of a base station and a pendant with a button. When you press the button on the pendant, the base unit acts as an extra-loud, highly sensitive speakerphone and connects you to a Life Alert-owned and operated monitoring center. If you need assistance, the dispatcher can contact a family member or friend, or they can dispatch emergency responders if you don’t respond.  

 

For the base unit and a pendant, you will pay $49.95 a month, with a one-time activation fee of $95. Adding on one additional advice—either the GPS unit or the help button will raise the price to $69.90 per month, with an activation fee of $198. For the full package, you can expect to pay $89.85 a month, along with the $198 activation fee. 

 

What You Get for the Price

 

While Life Alert is pricey, there is a good reason for the higher cost. Life Alert has many perks to justify the high price, and it is set apart from competitors. However, it also has its fair share of negatives as well. 

 

Pros:

 

  • Life Alert can provide fast shipping for orders
  • As soon as you order your system, Life Alert pulls a system from stock, tests it, and send it out via two-day air at no extra cost
  • They provide worry-free installation 
  • Once you receive your order, you’ll get a call from Life Alert to schedule your professional installation appointment—you can even get same-day installation
  • No matter how many times you push the button, your monthly fee stays the same for as long as you own the system. No penalties or fees for false alarms. 
  • If your equipment stops working or is faulty, Life Alert will send out a professional technician to replace it
  • Pendants and buttons all have a ten-year battery life, so you never have to worry about charging them
  • Life Alert has had decades of experience fine-tuning its products and its monitoring service

 

Cons: 

 

  • You can’t get a Life Alert system without talking to a salesperson, so be prepared to listen to a lengthy sales pitch and feel some pressure to buy
  • You won’t own the equipment and will need to be returned after your contract has expired
  • Life Alert requires a minimum three-year contract, and you can only cancel it if the user dies or goes into a nursing home
  • None of Life Alert’s devices have fall detection—the company’s representatives say that this is because the technology isn’t reliable enough to work properly
  • While some systems allow family members to use a loved one’s GPS device to track their location, Life Alert’s GPS devices do not offer this feature

 

How Does the Price of Life Alert Compare to Other Medical Alert Systems?

 

Life Alert is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to medical alert systems. With other medical alert companies, you can expect to pay $20-$30 a month for monitoring services. This comes with a one-time activation fee, which ranges between $0-$150. Life Alert costs nearly twice as much as some of its competitors, at $50-$90 a month and its activation fees between $90-$200. Also, there aren’t many notable differences in equipment or service, so perhaps it may be better to check with other brands.