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Life Alert Reviews

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Life Alert Medical Alert Systems Review (Cost, Problems, Pros, and Cons)

The following Life Alert review, provided by medical alert systems expert – Ali Naheed – will help you understand where this medical alert system stacks up compared to its competition.

The company is well-known for its viral TV commercial that advertises the Life Alert medical alert system. In the commercial, an elderly female seems confused and then suddenly falls. She presses the Life Alert medical device button and says, “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.”

It’s a memorable commercial. The unexpected humor in the commercial even made it a universal punchline for many comedic acts.

But, how does it stack up against the competition?

What is Life Alert and How Does it Work?

Life Alert is a personal emergency response and home medical alert systems company. They offer various products, including a quarter-sized, two-way communication medical alert device that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. The Life Alert medical alert system can protect people with disabilities and older adults by alerting professional help if there is an emergency or health-related accident.

In a medical, fire, or home invasion emergency, users only need to press a button to alert the monitoring center. When the monitoring center receives the alert, they will attempt to communicate with the user through the base station or the wearable device, assess the situation, and determine the appropriate response.

Life Alert’s BBB profile will show you this company has been in business for forty-five years and is A+ rated, making them one of the oldest and most trustworthy companies in this industry. Life Alert's positive customer reviews even helped the company land on the top 10 best medical alert systems list.

Life Alert is one of the largest medical alert companies in the nation and size matters because think about it, how can a small company quickly respond to emergencies nationwide? According to ZoomInfo, Life Alert Emergency Response has 600 employees. That explains why inside so many Life Alert customer reviews online; people rave about Life Alert’s fast response to emergencies.

Pros

  • Experience and Time in Business: Life Alert has been in business for at least 45 years and has a long-standing reputation in the industry.
  • Top Ratings: Life Alert has garnered top ratings from Consumer Affairs, The Monitoring Association (TMA), and Better Business Bureau (BBB). Life Alert is also UL-certified for safety.
  • 24/7 Monitoring and Multiple Ways to Get Help: Life Alert medical alert systems offer 24/7 emergency monitoring services, providing customers and their loved ones peace of mind.
  • Full Range of Solutions: Life Alert medical alert devices include in-home systems, mobile GPS units, and personal protection, so customers can choose the solution that best fits their needs, whether inside or outside their homes.
  • Batteries Last up to 10 Years: Life Alert’s website states, “Batteries never need charging and last up to 10 years.” See more details below.
  • Waterproof Help Buttons: Life Alert’s waterproof help buttons are ideal for bathrooms, including in the shower.

Cons

  • Pricing: Limited information about the company’s pricing can make it difficult for potential customers to compare their services with those of other providers. There is a start-up fee that ranges from $95 to $198. Additionally, Life Alert’s cost is…
  • Buying Life Alert devices: Another potential con for Life Alert is that customers cannot order their products online and must instead reach out to a salesperson to make a purchase. Many consumers prefer to purchase online and don’t want to speak with a…
  • Long-Term Contract: Life Alert requires a 3-year contract commitment.
  • No Free Trial: Many of the top-rated medical alert systems companies do offer a free trial, including GetSafe.

Additional details about Life Alert Pros

One of the main product pros for Life Alert is their commitment to providing cutting-edge technology to help customers stay safe and secure. They offer a range of protection packages that are designed to suit different lifestyles and ages, whether the customer is at home or on the go.

One of their company claims is that they are the only company that has proven to save a life from a catastrophe every 11 minutes and to extend the lives of their members in their own homes by 5 years longer than the general population. They also claim that since 2008, they have saved over 500,000 lives from catastrophes.

Life Alert’s monitoring centers are staffed with medical experts and trained professionals, ready to take calls and assist people in almost any location. In addition, they’ve aligned themselves with licensed healthcare providers, including medical professionals and emergency responders that can quickly arrive at nearly every location in the United States to provide emergency help when needed.

Having built this type of infrastructure with such a broad reach to assist their customers in almost every location in the United States is a competitive advantage that Life Alert has over many other companies that offer medical alert systems. Life Alert’s customer service team can confirm whether or not they serve your specific location, but most likely, they can.

Life Alert has garnered top ratings from reputable organizations such as Consumer Affairs and The Monitoring Association (TMA) and is UL-certified for safety.

Additional details about Life Alert Cons

Some cons of using Life Alert include the high cost, the long-term contract commitment, and the fact that potential customers cannot order their products online and must instead call a salesperson to place an order. It’s an inconvenience having to call in to order its products for people who prefer to research and purchase products online. Many consumers are accustomed to shopping online, where they get to read consumer reviews and easily compare their options, and then check out inside a secure payment gateway that uses data encryption protection.

And when it comes to “the cost”, Life Alert is much more expensive than most of its competitors. And to make matters worse, Life Alert’s contract length is a minimum of three years. Some of Life Alert’s competitors also include contracts of some form, but typically for less than three years.

Additionally, the website is outdated, making it difficult to find information, including the prices to purchase Life Alert medical alert devices. While Life Alert is one of the oldest and most established brands in the medical alert systems industry, we recommend shopping around and comparing all your options.

Life Alert Customer Service Support

Life Alert’s customer service department offers to assist its customers in multiple ways, including;

  1. Call the Life Alert customer service hotline at 1-800-982-0332. Highly trained customer service representatives are available 24/7.

  2. Contact Life Alert online by filling out their contact form on their website at www.lifealert.com/contact-us. You must provide your name, email address, phone number, and a brief message describing your need.

  3. Check out the Life Alert Frequently Asked Questions page at www.LifeAlert.com/faq. You can find information about their products, services, and policies here.

Life Alert Emergency Response has over 450 customer reviews at Consumer Affairs.com with a perfect 5.0/5 Star-Rating. Customer reviews often illustrate satisfied customers due to the exceptional and fast response they received from Life Alert’s emergency service team.

Recent Life Alert reviews from Consumer Affairs

  1. “I fell out of bed and couldn’t get back in! When I pushed the button for Life Alert, the police showed up immediately, and the officer put me right back in!”

  2. “My 85-year-old mother fell in the middle of the night, and I could not get her off the floor. Life Alert responded immediately, and EMS arrived a few minutes later.”

  3. “I fell in my bathroom and could not get up. Life Alert responded quickly and helped me.”

Disclosure: These Life Alert customer reviews received minor editing only to improve the grammar and make them easier to understand. Visit Consumer Affairs to read the exact wording of these Life Alert reviews.

Life Alert Complaints and Life Alert BBB

Life Alert BBB Rating, Accreditation, and Reviews:

Life Alert’s average customer review rating is 3.41/5 stars at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Life Alert also has a BBB rating of A+ and is accredited. They have been accredited with the BBB since 10/22/1987.

Life Alert Complaints:

Some customer complaints about Life Alert are related to billing and product issues. However, the company appears to be responsive to complaints and has rectified many problems to satisfy customers; they settled 172 complaints in the last three years, with 76 complaints closed during the previous 12 months.

Before Purchasing a Life Alert Medical Alert System –

  1. Carefully review your contract for all fees related to the Life Alert medical alert system.

  2. Review customer reviews on BBB, Consumer Affairs, SeniorLiving.org, and Reddit – all credible sources to check for customer reviews. Life Alert reviews on Google Shopping may also be helpful to analyze.

  3. And then, before purchasing a device, ask lots of questions. Email your sales representative your questions so that you can get answers to your questions in writing (i.e., documented in an email). You can then hold them accountable if, in the future, something turns out other than how they explained it to you.

Life Alert Replacement Parts

Contact a Life Alert customer service representative if something is not working on your Life Alert medical alert device. They will try to do some basic troubleshooting over the phone at first.

If Life Alert concludes that a part is damaged due to normal usage, a manufacturing defect, or malfunction, they will send you a replacement part for no additional cost. On the other hand, if they can’t figure out the problem over the phone, they may schedule a technician to come to your property and further diagnose the issue.

Life Alert’s medical alert equipment has a limited lifetime warranty. However, the Life Alert warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, or accidental damage, such as if the equipment falls on the ground and breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Life Alert a good company?

Life Alert has been in business for over thirty-five years, since 1987–according to the BBB. Life Alert’s medical alert systems have received

many positive customers review online–including top ratings from reputable organizations such as Consumer Affairs and The Monitoring Association (TMA).
Is Life Alert BBB Accredited and UL-Certified for Safety?
Life Alert is BBB-accredited and UL-certified for safety.

At the BBB, out of 167 Life Alert reviews, their average customer rating is 3.4 out of 5. And that’s a good rating but not an excellent rating.
Is Life Alert a Reputable Company?
Overall, Life Alert has more positive customer reviews online than negative reviews.

Unfortunately, Life Alert’s BBB review illustrates a serious complaint against the company involving 16,000 clients in New York.
Life Alert Complaints in New York:
Life Alert failed to comply with a law in New York that gives consumers the right to cancel a medical alert systems contract within seven days of signing it. In addition, life Alert didn’t disclose this information to its clients as legally required.

What’s the end verdict of this Life Alert lawsuit, many consumers are asking?

According to the Attorney General’s website, here are the details:

“Attorney General James has negotiated for Life Alert to provide refunds to more than 700 New York consumers who unsuccessfully tried to exercise certain cancellation rights in the past. In addition, the agreement resolves an investigation into Life Alert’s failure to include certain mandatory cancellation provisions — required by New York law — into the personal emergency response service contracts.”

For more information, visit the New York Attorney General’s website:

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-scores-victory-thousands-elderly-new-yorkers

Is Life Alert medical alert systems legit?

Yes, Life Alert medical alert systems are legitimate and have been proven to save lives. Life Alert has reported that it saves a life from a catastrophe every 11 minutes and has saved over 500,000 lives since 2008.

How do Life Alert medical alert systems work?

Life Alert medical alert systems work by providing customers with a wearable pendant or wristband that can be pressed to summon help in the event of an emergency. The device is connected to a base unit in the customer’s home, which then contacts Life Alert’s monitoring center. The monitoring center is staffed with trained operators who can speak with the customer through the base unit and dispatch emergency services if necessary.

Which is better, Life Alert or Philips Lifeline medical alert systems?

Determining which medical alert system is better–Life Alert or Philips Lifeline–depends on the specific needs and preferences of the individual considering the systems. Both Life Alert and Philips Lifeline are creditable companies that offer medical alert systems with various features and benefits, but there are four key differences that you should know about.

First, Philips Lifeline offers an easier online purchasing option. Unlike Life Alert, Philips Lifeline lets customers purchase medical alert systems directly from their website. This can be convenient for those who prefer the ease and convenience of online shopping. However, it’s important to note that personal preferences and needs should be considered when choosing a medical alert system, and the purchasing process is just one factor to consider.

Second, Philips Lifeline offers wireless base units, while Life Alert offers a monitor with GPS technology that can be worn. Life Alert’s wearable monitor will send an alert for help if an emergency occurs outside the home.

Third, Lifeline’s monthly monitoring service and fall detection cost is lower than what Life Alert charges for these same services.

And lastly, if you have an AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, they offer a free medical alert system through Philips Lifeline. So that’s an advantage for Philips Lifeline over Life Alert.

Which is Better, Life Alert or Medical Guardian?

Life Alert and Medical Guardian are well-known medical alert companies offering similar products and services. Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Here are four factors to consider when comparing Life Alert vs. Medical Guardian:

Cost: Medical Guardian generally has lower monthly fees than Life Alert, but the upfront costs can be higher. Medical Guardian also offers more device options and pricing tiers than Life Alert
Equipment: Both companies offer a range of equipment options, including wearable devices and home-based systems. Medical Guardian offers more modern and advanced equipment than Life Alert, such as voice-activated devices and fall detection technology.
Monitoring: Both companies have 24/7 monitoring centers staffed by trained professionals. However, Medical Guardian has a redundant monitoring system that ensures uninterrupted service in the event of an outage.
Customer Service: Both companies have good customer service ratings, but Medical Guardian has consistently higher ratings in customer satisfaction surveys.

How much do Life Alert medical alert systems cost per month?

Prospective customers may find it inconvenient that Life Alert does not provide pricing information on its website and that all inquiries must be made via phone. However, external sources have reported that the cost of Life Alert’s services can be relatively high. For example, the addition of the HELP button is priced at $79.90 per month with an activation fee of $197, while the medical emergency pendant is priced at $59 per month with a one-time activation fee of $195. These rates may be considered expensive by some individuals and may not be viable options for those on a tight budget.

Is Life Alert medical alert systems covered by Medicare?

No, Medicare does not cover the cost of Life Alert medical alert systems. However, Medicare Part B of Original Medicare does cover durable medical equipment, such as hospital beds, canes, and walkers, but not medical alert systems.

However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage for the cost of medical alert systems and personal emergency response systems (PERS).

If a Life Alert medical alert system is prescribed as medically necessary by a doctor, you may receive a discount or coverage. Check with your insurance provider to confirm whether or not they cover it.

Where to buy Life Alert systems?

Life Alert systems can only be purchased by calling a salesperson. There is no option to purchase the system directly through their website or any other online platform. Customers are encouraged to call the company’s toll-free number to consult with a representative and receive assistance when ordering the system.

Does the Life Alert medical alert system offer a 30-day risk-free trial?

No, Life Alert does not offer a 30-day risk-free trial. Customers are required to commit to a minimum 3-year contract when purchasing a Life Alert system. It is important to read and understand the terms of the contract before making a purchase.

How to Contact Life Alert?

Life Alert Medical Alert Systems Phone Number: 1-800-360-0329

Life Alert Medical Alert Systems Website: https://www.lifealert.com/

About Author

Dr. Naheed Ali

Dr. Naheed Ali

Naheed Ali, MD, Ph.D., is a physician by education and a writer by choice since 2005. He earned an MD degree in 2008 and later completed Harvard Medical School's lifestyle medicine training in 2012, before obtaining a Ph.D. in holistic health elsewhere in 2013. He’s also certified in clinical research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For years, Dr. Ali taught at colleges in the US where he lectured on various biomedical topics and delivered over 2000 hours of live presentations. He is also the author of numerous books from major New York publishers. They can be found on the shelves of 1000s of libraries worldwide. He brings more than 15 years of experience writing remotely and has more than 15 years of health-related publications to his credit. Now a digital nomad, he’s currently a medical journalist and copywriter for hire. His online home is HealthcarePropulsion.com.