MedGuard Alert - Lifewatch USA Review

Likes:

Mobile Medical Alert with GPS Option-Smart Go Personal Safety and Security unit with GPS and built in fall detection is a great option for those who want protection outside of the home. 

24-Hour Support - the MedGuard Alert (LifeWatch) emergency suppport team is available 24/7 and their centers are based in the USA. 

Company Owned  Monitoring Center - The monitoring center is company owned but not TMA (CSAA) Five Diamond Certified. 

Fall Detector Options - Since diabetics 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. 

Dislikes:

No Long-Term Contract but Has Re-Stock Fee- You can cancel any time, even before the service has started if you changed your mind. However, you must return the equipment if you don't want to be charged and there is a $50 restock fee. 

No Carbon Monoxide or Smoke Detection - Both are important features to have in your home and MedGuard does not have these options at this time. 

No Activity Monitoring - Activity monitoring typically requires the user to check-in with the system by pressing a button once every 24 hours or automatically checked with motion sensors and door contacts. This is very beneficial as it allows you to know that your loved one is active and about each day.

Lack of Pricing Information - With the lack of any pricing information online, it can be hard to know if you are getting a good deal from the company. 

No Online Ordering- In today's world, online ordering is a must. 

Deceptive Marketing Practices- LifeWatch USA has been sued by the FTC in the recent past for the use of deceptive robocall tactics targeting senior citizens. 

No Advanced Payment or Senior Discounts- Most medical alert companies offer a discounted rate for paying annually. 

Bottom Line:

We had a good call experience with MedGuard Alert (aka LifeWatch USA). The sales representative was friendly and knowledgeable without being pushy. He answered all of our pricing questions without hesitation which is good because there is no pricing information available online. We like the fact that MedGuard has three options for medical alert monitoring. The Smart Go Personal Safety and Security option is good for those who need coverage inside and outside of the home and are prone to falls since it has automatic fall detection built in. Their medical alert monitoring pricing is competitive however, they do not offer any type of discounts which is disappointing. We also prefer to recommend a company who is TMA (CSAA) Five Diamond Certified. 

It's important to note that in 2015, LifeWatch USA was sued by the FTC for using the practice of deceptive Robocalls. This may be the reason they decided to rebrand with MedGuard Alert. There are also quite a few negative reviews about the company's billing practices online. 

MedGuard is not BBB accredited but has an  A- Better Business rating at the time of writing this review. LifeWatch, Inc. is a BBB accredited business and has an A- Better Business rating at the time of this review. 

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.