ADT Medical Alert Review


Written By:

Updated: November 13, 2023

ADT Medical Alert

WHO IS ADT MEDICAL ALERT?

ADT is the largest security company in the world, and they are currently headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. They have been in business for over 140 years and served more than 7 million customers throughout the U.S.  ADT stands for “American District Telegraph.” They have a medical alert monitoring division which started in 2004 called Senior Health and Safety (formally ADT Companion Service) in addition to their home security products. All ADT employees must adhere to the ADT Code of Conduct as listed on their website. The ADT emergency response centers are U.S. based and company owned and operated.

REVIEW SUMMARY

ADT Senior Health and Safety offers all the core medical alert monitoring systems such as in-home and on-the-go protection. The ADT medical alert system has a one-time activation fee that is typically waived and the ADT FOREVERate, so your cost per month will never change.

They also offer a lifetime warranty on their medical alert systems, so it is free of charge to get a replacement, unless you lose the device itself. Two of their systems also offer automatic fall detection as an add on service, which is a plus.

There are three system packages that ADT Medical Alert offers:

  1. Medical Alert Basic: In-home medical alert system that uses a traditional landline and with home temperature monitoring. You will receive a base unit and a water-proof pendant or wrist band. You cannot add automatic fall detection to this system. This pendant works up to 300 feet away from the base station.
  2. Medical Alert Plus: In-home system that does not require a landline or WiFi and has twice the amount of coverage as the basic system. You can use the system inside and outside of the home; within 600 feet of the base unit. It also has home temperature monitoring, as well as optional fall detection. Both the plus and the basic system pendants are 100% waterproof.
  3. On-The-Go: A mobile emergency response system with two-way talk that does not require a landline, has optional fall detection, and GPS location services so it can be used outside of the home. Please note, you will have to be within AT&T’s wireless coverage area. Also, this system does not have the home temperature monitoring like the other two systems.

PROS

Traditional landline, cellular and GPS medical alert options available, automatic fall detection option, 24-hour support, and in-home temperature monitoring. With the ADT FOREVERate, your monthly rate will never change. They own and operate their monitoring centers and have a month-to-month monitoring agreement with advanced discount payment options available. They also offer a chat feature online. No long-term contracts and you can pay monthly, if you choose.

CONS

No activity monitoring option, no medication monitoring option, no automatic system testing. No carbon monoxide or smoke detection available. Monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond certified.

ADT Medical Alert vs. CVS Medical Alert

ADT’s Medical Alert and CVS Medical Alert both offer personal emergency response systems, but they differ in some key aspects. ADT’s Medical Alert service is known for its long-standing reputation in home security and monitoring services, providing a range of medical alert devices with professional monitoring options. In contrast, CVS Medical Alert, primarily partnered with Medical Guardian, offering a selection of devices and services under the CVS brand. The choice between these two services may depend on individual preferences and needs, with ADT’s offering potentially appealing to those seeking a company with a well-established presence in the security and monitoring industry, while CVS’s service might be attractive to those who appreciate the convenience of obtaining their medical alert device through a well-known retail pharmacy chain. However, it’s essential to research the most up-to-date information and user reviews to make an informed decision, as service offerings and partnerships can change over time.

 

RATING: 3.5

SINCE YOU’RE LOOKING AT ADT, CONSIDER TAKING A LOOK AT PHILIPS LIFELINE FOR COMPARISON.

Compare Device Features:

PROS & CONS TO CONSIDER

How did ADT Medical Alert do?
Price
ADT Medical Alert Review
Cost for EquipmentEquipment is free.
Cost Per MonthThe ADT Basic medical alert system cost is $29.99 per month.
Advance Payment DiscountsYes, annual and quarterly discounts are available.
Monitoring Agreement TermMonth-to-Month
Repairs or Replacement ChargesNone unless equipment is lost, then it’s a $14.99 fee for most wristbands or pendants
Cancellation Policy & Discounts
ADT Medical Alert Review
Cancel at Any TimeYes
Senior DiscountNo
Other DiscountsExisting ADT customers receive $2.00 off per month. If you are an ADT customer that pays annually, you may receive further discounts. All ADT customers get a 50% discount on fall detection services.
Equipment
ADT Medical Alert Review
Approximate Button Range in Typical HomeUp to a 300 ft. radius for the Basic unit and 600 ft for the Medical Alert Plus device.
Watch/Button Battery LifePer the ADT rep, approximately 2 years. The system will indicate when the battery is low. ADT offers free battery replacements.
What Happens if I Lose Power24 hours of battery backup
Is the Watch/Button WaterproofYes
How Can The Button Be WornNeck or wrist alert button
UL Certified EquipmentYes
Does The System Automatically Test Itself To The Monitoring CenterNo. Per the sales representative, the user should test the device monthly. A light will illuminate on the base unit as a reminder to test the system.
24 Hour Technical & Customer SupportYes
Monitoring Station
ADT Medical Alert Review
TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring CenterNo
Typical Response Time When Button PressedAbout 20 seconds
Other Options & Information
ADT Medical Alert Review
How Fast Does System ShipShips in 2-3 business days. The system is shipped FEDEX Next Day delivery.
Do You Need Separate Systems For Mom & DadNo, a one-time charge of $14.99 for an additional pendant plus a $5.00 additional monthly fee
Optional Advanced Features
ADT Medical Alert Review
Activity or Inactivity MonitoringNo
Senior Fall DetectionYes, additional $11.00 per month with the Medical Alert Plus system or the On-The-Go Emergency Response system.
Cellular or No Phone LineYes, with the Medical Alert Plus system or the On-The-Go Emergency Response system.
Smoke or Carbon Monoxide ProtectionNo
GPS Medical Alert Tracking SystemYes, with the On-The-Go Emergency Response system.
Special Offers
ADT Medical Alert Review
Special Offers For Our VisitorsNone at this time

 

MONTHLY COSTS & FEES

ADT has 3 payment options (monthly, quarterly or annually). You can save additional money by choosing to pay quarterly or annually. ADT does not require a long-term contract so you can pay monthly and cancel anytime without penalty. If you sign-up late in the month, your first month will be prorated.

ADT offers free shipping on all their medical alert monitoring systems if you choose the quarterly or annual payment options. All equipment is free except additional pendants. Shipping is currently free for all payment options. Current ADT customers will receive an additional $2.00 off per month which makes it even more affordable. They will also receive half off the monthly automatic fall detection rate.

ADT Medical AlertCost Per MonthCost Per Month If Paid QuarterlyCost Per Month if Paid AnnuallyFall Detection
ADT Medical Alert Basic$29.99$27.99$25.99$11
ADT Medical Alert Plus$37.99$35.99$33.99$11
ADT On-the-Go$39.99$37.99$35.99$11

 

LIKES

No Long-Term Contract – ADT used to have a 1-year agreement. It’s nice that they have a month-to-month agreement now like most medical alert company offerings, such as the Medical Guardian alert system.

24-Hour Support – ADT has support available 24 hours per day.

Fall Detector Option – Both the Medical Alert Plus system and the On-the-Go system have automatic fall detection. Since some seniors have the tendency to faint and falls are common among the elderly, automatic fall detection can be helpful because the user would be unable to press their medical emergency button.

No Phone Line/Cellular Option – Since every household no longer has a traditional telephone line, having a reliable no phone line option is a must.

Mobile GPS Option – For seniors or even young children on the go, this may be an important option for you. Take the system with you wherever you go, and the GPS locator will be able to help pinpoint your location if you need help.

Discounts for Advanced Payments – The convenience of quarterly or annual payments can be desirable, and you can receive a slight discount and free shipping.

High and Low Temperature Monitoring – This is not an essential feature but might be nice to give you early notice of a potential heating and cooling system failure. The On-the-Go system does not offer this feature.

Extended Range – The ADT Medical Alert Plus has an extended range of 600 feet which means you can use your system inside and even just outside of your home. Be sure to test the range in your own home.

Lifetime Warranty – Medical alert system equipment can be pricey and ADT offers free replacements for damaged products for the lifetime of your service. They also offer free battery replacements. This is a nice bonus not offered by most medial alert companies.

 

DISLIKES

No Monthly Automatic Tests – System’s base station console does not automatically test monthly to the monitoring center. You must test the system yourself. The system will light-up and give you a reminder of when to test the system.

No Activity Monitoring – Activity monitoring typically requires the user to check in with the system by pressing a button once every 24 hours. It can also use more advanced features like bed sensors, motion sensors and door contacts to report discrepancies in normal daily routines. This is very beneficial as it allows you to know that your loved one is active and about each day.

No Pill Reminder Option – Having the system remind you of when to take medication is a nice feature, although not required by all. Many of these services have the main unit console provide a beep tone as a reminder on regular interval to remind you of when to take your medication. The downside to this option is that it will not tell you what or how much medication to take.

No TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center – This is an important certification that requires an annual renewal with The Monitoring Association, which shows a commitment to a higher level of service.

No Carbon Monoxide or Smoke Detection Monitoring – Both are important features to have in your home and monitored devices can provide more protection.

Extra Fees to Monitor a Spouse – Some companies charge a fee for a second pendant, but most do not charge additional monthly fees like ADT.

 

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

How much does ADT Medical Alert cost?
The basic system costs $29.99 per month if you choose to pay month-to-month. You will receive a slight discount for advanced payments.

Does ADT offer medical alerts?
Yes. ADT is known for their home security monitoring, but they do have a Heath & Senior Safety product line which includes medical alert monitoring.

Do you need Wi-Fi for ADT Medical Alert?
No. The basic medical alert system works with a traditional landline and others work with a cellular connection, so Wi-Fi is not needed.

Does ADT Medical Alert have a GPS option?
Yes. ADT’s On-the-Go system has built GPS location tracking so you can take medical alert monitoring peace of mind with you wherever you go.

Does ADT medical alert have automatic fall detection?
Yes. You can add on optional fall detection to two of ADT’s medical alert system options. The Medical Alert Plus and the On-the-Go system.

 

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ADT MEDICAL ALERT

ADT offers a series of video testimonials on their site from customers who have had life-saving experiences with their medical alert services. One user describes her husband pressing the button and help arrived within 3 minutes, essentially saving his life.

In reading unbiased reviews online, we found a few customers complained about the automatic fall detection, either not working at all or giving false signals with the slightest bit of motion, which triggered the sensor. Fall detection is not 100% accurate with any company so that is something to be aware of. Reviews of ADT as an overall company are mixed however, but most seemed to be satisfied with the medical alert monitoring service.

ADT is a Better Business Bureau Accredited company with an A+ rating and 8,388 consumer reviews on file at the time of this review averaging one star.

 

BOTTOM LINE

ADT is the largest home security company in the world. They have been monitoring security alarm systems for a long time. That’s not to say that bigger is always better. Although the sales rep we spoke with was very courteous and generally knowledgeable, more technical training on the product would be helpful. Also, the website information could be clearer but has continued to improve over time. It does have a chat feature but not for the Senior Health and Safety division, which requires you to call for more information. When you do call, expect a wait time before speaking to a call center representative. They are not pushy and do not require any personal information when you call.

We do like the fact that you can receive a discount if you are already an ADT customer, but we would expect that from most companies. The monthly price for ADT’s basic medical alert system is slightly higher than other medical alert companies we have reviewed except when you take into account the customer discount and advanced payment discounts. We also like the ADT FOREVERate which ensures your monthly payments will never go up but that’s pretty common with most other medical alert companies too.

The range of ADT’s product offerings should provide good protection options for the average medical alert user. We like that they offer automatic fall detection and an extended range feature with the base unit range being 600+ feet. ADT owns and operates its monitoring centers; however we wish they were TMA Five Diamond Certified.

Although our experience with this company had these results, your experience may be different. If you’re interested in this company’s services, contact them to judge for yourself.

Also, check out our Alert1 Review here.

*ADT Logo is a registered trademark of ADT LLC dba ADT Security Services