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Medical Alert By Connect America Review Summary
Medical Alert by Connect America uses industry-standard UL-Listed equipment however their monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond Certified. Their medical alert pendant can be worn as a necklace or wristband and is waterproof.
Medical Alert By Connect America Pros
No equipment or set-up charges, order online or by phone, no long-term contracts, 24-hour support, no phone line option, GPS and fall detection options. Emergency call centers have multilingual staff. They also offer advanced payment discounts.
Medical Alert By Connect America Cons
No activity monitoring, no automatic system tests, no medication reminders and no carbon monoxide and smoke detection monitoring. Monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond Certified.
Rating
Special Offer From Medical Alert By Connect America
Since 2004, Medical Alert has been providing medical alert services to thousands of seniors risk free & at some of the lowest rates.
- Starting at $19.95 Per Month
- Free Month & Free Shipping
- Money Back Guarantee
- 30-day risk-free trial
DISCLOSURE: We may receive referral fees for purchases or inquiries made by you. Thanks to your support, we can maintain the website & offer special discounts, at no cost to you.
Who is Medical Alert By Connect America
Since 2004, Medical Alert, a Connect America company, has been providing emergency medical alert monitoring services to thousands of senior citizens nationwide. Connect America's headquarters is located in Philadelphia, PA and they are considered one of the pioneers in the medical alert monitoring industry. Connect America is a U.S. government approved provider of medical alert technology in over 30 states. They currently have 15 field service and support locations in the U.S. They also offer a Language Line that will translate your emergency call in real-time in 140 languages. Connect America is a member of the Medical Alert Monitoring Association (MAMA).
All of Connect America's medical alert representatives are based in the U.S. and receive medical alert monitoring training. They have 4 monitoring solutions as well as add on services such as fall detection.
Medical Alert By Connect America Systems & Options
There are three medical alert system packages that Medical Alert by Connect America offers:
1. Home Landline System: Traditional medical alert in-home system that uses a landline compatible with most VoIP systems. The two-way speaker built into the base station will connect you with Connect America's emergency response operators. Connect America’s Medical Alert landline system has a backup battery that will let you use the system even in a power outage. This system comes with a medical alert pendant or bracelet. You can add on an automatic fall detection pendant for an additional fee.
2. Home Cellular System: In-home medical alert system is identical to the system above except that it does not require a landline. No cellular contract is required however you must have good AT&T cellular coverage where you live. This system also has optional automatic fall detection as an add-on.
3. Mobile: On-the-go coverage with advanced GPS tracking and optional fall detection, all in one on-the-go pendant with a built-in two-way speaker. Includes interchangeable neck or wrist options. Works as long as there is adequate AT&T cell phone coverage. It is water resistant for use in the bath or shower and the battery can last up to five days.
- Optional Fall Detection is available as an add-on service for both the landline and non-landline medical alert systems. The pendant is a lightweight button that can be worn in the shower or bath.
- Medical Alert Connect is a free mobile app for subscribers and caregivers. It allows you to track the location for those who have the mobile on-the-go system as well as the status of your device; including the testing schedule and contact list. You can also use the mobile app to get updates about when the wearer has enabled the alert button via push notifications, set up a testing schedule for the equipment, check on the system's status and more.
Medical Alert By Connect America Costs & Fees
Cost For Equipment | Cost Per Month | Monitoring Agreement Term | Repairs or Replacement Charges | Ordering & Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$49 one-time programming fee + $15.00 shipping charge if paying monthly (shipping fee is waived if you pay semi-annually or annually). | $19.95 per month for the Home landline medical alert system when paid semi-annually or annually. | Can cancel anytime with 30 days notice. | You can add optional insurance for $1.00/month for free replacements for one base unit device and up to 2 buttons, or $10.00/month for unlimited devices and buttons. Without an insurance plan, expect to pay upwards of $350.00 to replace lost or damaged equipment. | Standard shipping time is 4-6 business days. |
Connect America has a competitive pricing structure and has recently decreased its prices, however, they have added a one-time programming fee of $49.00 to all their systems. Desirable features such as fall detection can be added to their in-home systems for only $10.00 a month. You can also add on a protection plan for an additional $1.00 per month. Shipping will cost between $15 and $35 depending on what shipping service you choose; only if you choose to pay monthly. Shipping is free for advance payment options.
Their Mobile system with GPS has the option to add fall detection for $10.00 a month as well. Advanced payment discounts help make Connect America even more affordable and they come with added perks like free shipping if you choose to pay semi-annually or annually and one free month if you pay for a year upfront. They no longer require a 3-month commitment and you can cancel at any time if you are unhappy with their service.
Home Landline | Home Cellular | Mobile System |
|---|---|---|
$22.95 Per Month Paid Monthly | $32.95 Per Month Paid Monthly | $42.95 Per Month Paid Monthly |
$19.95 Per Month Paid Semi-Annually | $29.95 Per Month Paid Semi-Annually | $39.95 Per Month Paid Semi-Annually |
$19.95 Per Month Paid Annually | $29.95 Per Month Paid Annually | $39.95 Per Month Paid Annually |
Cancellation Policy & Discounts
Cancel at Any Time | Senior Discount | Advance Payment Discounts | Other Discounts |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes, with 30-day notice. Also, you get a pro-rated refund on unused services. | No | Yes, you will receive a discount if you pay semi-annually or annually. Annual payments also receive one free month. | No |
Equipment Features
Approximate Button Range in Typical Home | Watch Pendant Button Battery Life | What Happens if I Lose Power | Watch Pendant Waterproof | How Can The Button Be Worn | UL Certified Equipment | Technical & Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 800 ft. Range is impacted by device location, environment, equipment & other conditions in your home. This is true with all wireless devices. | Battery will last approximately 2 years. Low battery signal sent to monitoring station to send replacement. | Approximately 32 hours of backup battery | Yes | Neck or wristband are both included. Belt-Clip option available with the On-The-Go system. | Yes | Yes |
Monitoring Center
TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center | Typical Response Once is Button Pressed | Automatic Test Signals Sent |
|---|---|---|
No, but they own their monitoring centers. | Approximately 20 seconds. | No, you must test monthly yourself. |
Fall Detection, GPS, & Cellular Options
Activity or Inactivity Monitoring | Senior Fall Detection | Cellular or No Phone Line | Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Protection | GPS Medical Alert Tracking System | Separate Systems Needed For Mom & Dad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Yes, with the Home No Landline system or the Mobile system. | No. This protection is not offered. | Yes, their Mobile medical alert system has GPS. | No. Two buttons come with the Home Landline system. If you want to add another or have two of the same, there is a one-time charge of $19.99 for an additional user button. |
What We Like About Medical Alert By Connect America
24-Hour Support & They Claim Fast Response Times - Call center support is available 24 hours per day with US-based, multi-lingual call center representatives available. They also boost fast response times with an average of 20 seconds.
Flexible Monitoring Agreement - You can cancel at any time with a 30-day notice. You get a refund of unused services and there are no cancellation fees. You must return the equipment back to Connect America and pay for the return shipping.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 and easier option for you than using your cell phone in an emergency. Bring medical alert protection and fall detection with you wherever you go.
Fall Detector Option - Since diabetics can have the tendency to faint and falls are common among seniors, fall detectors can be helpful because the user may be unable to press their medical emergency button. You can add fall detection to their in-home and GPS On-The-Go medical alert systems.
Discount for Advanced Payments - If you pay semi-annually or annually you will pay less and receive perks like free shipping.
What We Dislike About Medical Alert By Connect America
No Automatic System Tests - Some system consoles will automatically test weekly or monthly to the monitoring station, but we were told that Connect America does not offer automatic testing. You will have to periodically test your system (at least monthly) to ensure it is working properly.
No Activity Monitoring - Activity monitoring typically requires the user to check in with the system by pressing a button once every 24 hours. This is very beneficial for seniors who are not in assisted living as it allows you to know that your loved one is active and about each day. Connect America used to offer this service, but we were told that they do not now.
Monitoring Center is Not TMA Five Diamond Certified - While we like that Connect America owns its own monitoring center, we prefer that it be TMA Five Diamond Certified, ensuring that operators are consistently trained to a set of standards.
No Medication Reminders - Connect America used to provide medication reminders for those seniors who need these helpful notifications. This is a nice feature to add to your monitoring service if your medical alert company offers it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Medical Alert?
Medical Alert, a Connect America company, has been providing medical alert devices direct to consumers since 2004.
Can I cancel my Medical Alert services at any time?
Yes. Medical Alert does not require long-term contracts. You may cancel at any time within 30 days for a full refund minus your return shipping costs. After the 30-days you can return the equipment for a pro-rated refund, providing that the equipment has no damage.
Does Medical Alert have automatic fall detection?
Yes. Medical Alert offers automatic fall detection as an add-on service for all of their medical alert systems. The additional cost is $10 per month.
Is Medical Alert's pendant waterproof?
The medical alert pendant and the fall detection pendant are both water resistant and can be worn in the bath or shower where most slips and falls occur.
How much is a Medical Alert device?
If you choose to pay annually, the monthly fee breaks down to only $19.95 per month for their traditional in-home medical alert monitoring system; plus you get a free month. This is very price competitive for the medical alert market.
What People Are Saying About Medical Alert By Connect America
Connect America has verified user reviews on their website. We appreciate that they share all their feedback, both negative and positive, with their potential customers. Most of the feedback we found online states that Connect America's ordering process was smooth, shipping was fast, and the set-up was easy. Any negative feedback that was given was responded to right away by Connect America. It appears that they would like to make things right for any unhappy customers.
The negative feedback entailed the equipment not working in their service area and some users having trouble getting their refund in a timely manner. It's important to note that you must return your equipment within 15 days of canceling service to receive a refund.
Connect America is BBB accredited and they have an A+ rating. At the time of this review, they have an average of 122 customer complaints on file.
Bottom Line - Do We Suggest Medical Alert By Connect America?
Connect America's Medical Alert systems have been around since 2004 and have been providing medical alert monitoring emergency response services to thousands of seniors. They use industry-standard UL-Listed equipment however their monitoring center is not TMA Five Diamond Certified which is a distinction that we prefer. Centers that are TMA Five Diamond Certified go through an annual renewal process to ensure a high level of quality medical alert monitoring service. We were told they were given the excellence in medical alert monitoring award in 2018 but we are unable to verify this information.
You can find additional information on Connect America's website which has improved immensely and continues to. You will also be able to find any pricing information for Connect America's medical alert options on their website along with online ordering. When you call Connect America's sales representative, be prepared for a lengthy sales pitch, but they were not overly pushy and did share quite a bit of detail on the product. They did answer all our questions in a friendly manner however, they will ask you for personal information.
Connect America does a good job of providing the basics when it comes to medical alert monitoring. They offer no phone line options for their in-home service, fall detection, and mobile GPS coverage. We would like to see them catch up to competitors who are coming out with newer technology such as activity monitoring using motion sensors, bed sensors, door contacts and two-way voice built right inside the medical alert pendant.
Connect America is an affordable choice for medical alert monitoring services when you utilize their pre-payment discounts. They have recently added a one-time programming fee to all their systems. We do prefer companies that automatically test that their equipment is communicating with the monitoring center automatically, although you would still need to test the medical alert button yourself at least monthly, regardless. Overall, Connect America is a solid choice for medical monitoring services when considering budget and basic options. We do suggest comparing other medical alert companies, such as Medical Guardian's review, before you decide to purchase.
Special Offer From Medical Alert By Connect America
Since 2004, Medical Alert has been providing medical alert services to thousands of seniors risk free & at some of the lowest rates.
- Starting at $19.95 Per Month
- Free Month & Free Shipping
- Money Back Guarantee
- 30-day risk-free trial
DISCLOSURE: We may receive referral fees for purchases or inquiries made by you. Thanks to your support, we can maintain the website & offer special discounts, at no cost to you.
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.
