Medical Guardian Review

Medical Guardian Review Summary

Medical Guardian has fair pricing and is forthright with their information. We like the fact that they have stylish equipment choices with all of the latest no phone line (cellular), GPS, and automatic fall detection options. They also have a sleek website with lots of information at your fingertips. Medical Guardian's monitoring center has been certified to a high set of standards such as being UL listed and TMA Five Diamond Certified. The monitoring center is not company-owned.

Medical Guardian Pros

Classic Guardian has no equipment or set-up charges, no long-term contracts, refunds for unused months of service, automatic monthly tests of the console to the central monitoring station, advanced activity monitoring system, affordable monthly costs, and a TMA Five Diamond monitoring center staffed with medically trained personnel.

Medical Guardian Cons

No pill reminder option or carbon monoxide and smoke detection options. Monitoring center not company owned.

Who is Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian has been a leading provider of some of the best medical alert systems for seniors for several years. Their systems continuously rank on many top 10 medical alert systems lists for their innovative medical monitoring devices. They have been in business since 2005 and were founded by Geoff Gross, who wanted to disrupt the medical alert industry after his own grandmother suffered from falling at home alone.

Medical Guardian claims to have best in class customer service and work as a team to constantly come up with new innovative medical alert products. You can get to know all their senior leadership in the company section of their website. Medical Guardian's headquarters are in Philadelphia, PA and they use a U.S.-based monitoring center that is TMA Five Diamond Certified. The home medical monitoring center is available for emergency response 24/7 and Medical Guardian prides themselves on well-trained, multilingual call center agents.

With their recent acquisition of MobileHelp, Medical Guardian now services over 600,000 customers. Medical Guardian's goal is to empower their customers, who are mostly senior citizens, to age in place at home, but are they the best medical alert for seniors?

Medcial Guardian Systems & Options

There are five main products that Medical Guardian alert systems offer and one caregiving resource app:

1. Classic Guardian - a traditional telephone line-based system that provides home coverage and is available with or without fall detection. A traditional personal emergency response device (aka PERS) consists of a base station unit and a wearable medical alert help button. The wearable button will work up to 1,300 feet away from the base station. Press for help any time of the day or night. Fall detection can help detect a fall in the home and automatically call for help when the user is unable to. Please keep in mind that fall detection is not 100% accurate. Keep in mind you will be leasing this equipment with this option. 
2. MGHome Cellular - a cellular network-based no-phone line in-home system available with or without fall detection that runs on 4G technology. This cellular medical alert device system also comes with a base station and a wearable medical alert button. The wearable emergency alert will work within 1,400 feet of the base station. Keep in mind, you will be buying this equipment if you choose this option. It also comes with a two-way speaker, and has a 32 hour back up battery.
   
3. MGMove Life-Saving Smartwatch - cellular-based 2-way communication enabled smartwatch-designed medical alert device with an emergency SOS button for help while on the go, a text-to-speech messaging system to keep in contact with friends and loved ones, built-in weather forecasts, WiFi location tracking, a FitBit style step counter, medication reminders, and timed alert features, right from the watch. The watch makes testing easy with a Test app. Does not have a fall detection option. The Social Circle app allows you to message your loved ones directly from the watch. Battery life for MGMove is up to 24 hours.
4. MGMini - Considered the smallest and lightest personal alert device, this mobile medical alert with optional fall detection features an easy to press emergency button, 5-day or more battery life between charges, 78 dB speaker with noise-canceling functionality, multilingual emergency services for real-time interpretation, compatibility with Medical Guardian's Circle Care service, and advanced location monitoring with GPS and WiFi using 4G cellular. Available in 4 colors - black, silver, gold, and white. Keep in mind that you will be buying this equipment if you choose this option. When you open the box you'll find the MGMini, a charging cradle, adjustable and non-adjustable lanyards to wear the MGMini around your neck, and a clip if you prefer to wear the it on your belt or purse.
5. MGMini Lite - Similar to the MGMini, this even lighter weight option is a designed as a sleek device, worn on the wrist is meant to blend into your everyday lifestyle. In addition to medical alert monitoring, this device has GPS location tracking, as well as step and activity tracking. It also comes with automatic fall detection. It is water-resistant (shower safe) and charges to full battery in as little as 3 hours. With your order, you'll receive the MGMini Lite in black, a band to wear it on your wrist, and a charging cradle and cord. If you need an XL wrist band, request one from your representative when you order.

MyGuardian App - The MyMedicalGuardian app is an online hub that you can view on your smartphone or on your desktop computer which allows you to stay connected with loved ones. There are a few things you can do and manage within the MyMedicalGuardian app, such as your billing information, updating your Care Circle and emergency contacts, chat with members of your Care Circle, and receive system status reports. You will be able to view the history of location tracking and view your battery and connectivity. MyGuardian is free with any system purchase.

Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert

Medical Guardian and Life Alert are two well-known companies in the medical alert system industry, offering products designed to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals, particularly the elderly. Medical Guardian's product line boasts a range of innovative features, such as mobile GPS-enabled devices, fall detection technology, and optional smartwatch integration. These advanced features enable users to stay connected and receive help both at home and on the go. On the other hand, Life Alert primarily focuses on in-home systems with a wearable pendant or wristband that can be activated to summon emergency assistance. While Life Alert's products lack some of the advanced features offered by Medical Guardian, they are known for their reliable and user-friendly design, providing immediate access to a 24/7 emergency response center. Ultimately, the choice between these companies comes down to individual needs and preferences, with Medical Guardian offering a wider range of features and mobility options, while Life Alert excels in simplicity and in-home coverage.

Medical Guardian Costs & Fees

Medical Guardian offers competitive pricing for its advanced services compared to other medical alert companies on the market. Their traditional in-home medical product, Classic Guardian, is on the mid to high side of pricing for similar products on the market. 

Since Medical Guardian offers advanced payment discounts and other discounts mentioned above, it makes the monthly service more affordable. However, please note that the Medical Guardian systems will now have to be purchased instead of leased with the exception of the Classic Guardian. The main difference is that you will have to pay equipment fees for those systems, and you will not have to return the equipment if you cancel the monitoring services. The only systems you do not have to purchase are the Classic Guardian.

Medical Guardian has introduced a new environmentally friendly program called the Renew Program. With this program, you can purchase refurbished medical alert systems in an effort to be more eco-conscious and save money. To avoid equipment fees with some of the newer systems, you can choose to utilize the Renew Program by selecting one of the refurbished device options. Right now, they are offering this with the Classic Guardian. The only cost out of pocket would be the monthly service fees. If you are looking to reduce waste and save money, this program could be perfect for you! 

Shipping is waived for annual payment members. If you would like to add fall detection to any of the systems (except the MGMove), it's an additional $10.00 per month. Also, if you have additional family members in the home that need medical alert coverage, you only need to pay an extra $2.99 per month for an additional pendant alert button. Medical Guardian has no long-term contracts and you can cancel at any time. They also include their New MyGuardian app with the purchase of any medical alert system. 

Cancellation Policy & Discounts

Equipment Features

Monitoring Center

Fall Detection, GPS, & Cellular Options

What We Like About Medical Guardian

Reasonable Service Rates - Medical Guardian has competitive rates with a discount when services are paid annually.

Cancel at Any Time Policy - No long-term medical alert monitoring contract. If you are not happy with your emergency alert system or service, you can cancel and get a refund for unused months of service paid.

Automatic Monthly Tests - Medical Guardian's base station will automatically test monthly to the monitoring station. This means they are spot-checking that your system's connection to the monitoring center is working properly for you.

Flexible Monitoring Agreement - Since they do not have long-term contracts, you can cancel any time after your initial 3-month service period. 

Cellular Option - They do offer a cellular model in case you are without traditional land-line phone service in your home.

Good Battery Life – When battery life on medical devices requires daily charging, it becomes more cumbersome for active seniors, as well as for seniors who may have cognitive decline. The Medical Guardian family of products all feature realistic battery life and charging options.

Fall Detector Option - Many seniors, including diabetics, have tendencies to faint, and since falls are so common among seniors, having automatic fall detection built-in can be life-saving. If the emergency button senses a fall, it will automatically call into the monitoring station in case you are not able to. This is available as an add-on to all their systems except the MGMove. These services can not only give the senior quick access to first responders but can also help family members see any trends in falling so they can follow up appropriately. Monitoring fall trends can give family members better information to tell their loved one’s physicians.

Monitoring Center Has Top Certifications - Their monitoring center gets top honors since it is UL Listed as well as TMA Five Diamond Certified. This means that their reps go through rigorous testing and are spot-checked for their level of service, and also that the monitoring center maintains required backup power systems, redundant monitoring equipment, and communication channels.

What We Dislike About Medical Guardian

Monitoring Center Not Company Owned - Although they contract with top monitoring centers, they are not company-owned which would give Medical Guardian better control of the operation of the monitoring centers.

No Pill Reminder Option (Except with the MGMove)- 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 some sort of beep reminder at regular intervals to remind you of when to take your medication. The downside to this medical monitoring option is that it will not tell you what or how much medication to take.

No Carbon Monoxide or Smoke Detector Options - Although this is not an essential feature for a medical monitoring company to offer, all seniors should have these items installed in their homes.

No Activity Monitoring - Medical Guardian no longer offers this service. Activity monitoring can be extremely useful if you are worried about your loved one having an active life lifestyle or even if you need to monitor their day-to-day actions. It can alert you when there has been no activity so that emergency help or a caregiver can follow up. 

Pricey Equipment Fees - Medical Guardian now requires you to purchase their equipment for all systems except the Classic Guardian. This can be a con considering medical alert equipment technology is rapidly changing. You will not, however, be required to send the system back if you need to cancel your monthly monitoring service.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Medical Guardian covered by Medicare?
It’s common for older adults and their loved ones to search for what's exactly covered through Medicare. Currently, Medicare (parts A and B) do not reimburse for expenses related to medical alert devices. Some Medicare Advantage benefits could offset expenses from medical alert systems, but you would have to check with your plan administrator.

Does Medical Guardian offer monitoring based in America?
Yes. Their U.S.-based monitoring service can make a big difference, especially when it comes to crisis situations where language barriers can delay treatment or intervention. Operators speak English, Spanish, and use a third-party-translation system, if needed, for other languages.

Is Medical Guardian eligible for my HSA plan?
Health savings accounts are increasingly popular among older adults, but can still be a source of confusion in regards to knowing what is covered. Medical alert devices are likely covered under your HSA plan but ensure you contact your plan administrator or HR Management directly to double-check.

What if I don’t have a landline?
Many people are disconnecting their landline phones and turning to their smartphones as their main means of communication. This choice does not negatively affect your Medical Guardian experience, as only the Classic Guardian requires access to a landline. You can still receive Medical Guardian services without a landline with any of the additional models.

Can I test out the Medical Guardian system for free before purchasing?
Medical Guardian does not currently offer a free trial period for their devices or systems. Fortunately, the monthly fee is reasonable and you can cancel when needed.

Can my spouse also use Medical Guardian systems and devices?
Depending on the system you choose, you can add on additional pendants or devices in order to ensure both you and your spouse have access to your Medical Guardian perks and protection.

How can I cancel my service?
You can cancel anytime. Be sure to send Medical Guardian a message, either a letter or phone call that you would like to cancel. If you cancel mid-month, you will be refunded the amount you pre-paid.

What People Are Saying About Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian has been BBB accredited since 2009. They currently have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. While searching for unbiased reviews we were able to find lots of satisfied customers, however there are currently 196 complaints on the BBB website (66 have been closed in the last 12 months).

One such users describes having a hard time trying to cancel his mother's service. They never received the email instructions and had to call in several times before the issue was resolved. Medical Guardian did respond to the customer on the BBB site and acknowledged they dropped the ball and offered to refund the equipment fee as well. Another user pointed out that you will be billed starting when you place the order, not when you receive and activate it. Something to keep in mind.

There are also lots of happy customers who write about Medical Guardian's equipment saving their life or the life of someone they know. They are happy with the sense of security it provides and the exceptional customer care department team at Medical Guardian when they make an emergency call.

Bottom Line - Do We Suggest Medical Guardian?

Medical Guardian has professional, knowledgeable staff who answered all our questions when we performed this review. You will speak to a human when you call and not be put through a lengthy teleprompt system. They also have an advanced website that provides straightforward information, so you don’t have to call and speak with a sales rep if you don’t want to. This is a huge incentive for those who prefer to do all their research online however, you may still want to speak to a human to give you an evaluation on which system would be best for you.

Medical Guardian has many service options to choose from which can be overwhelming if you are not familiar with the medical alert market, however they do offer a buying guide on their website which is useful. Each product page on their website outlines the medical alert equipment you will receive and exactly how it works. They also offer the latest technology for a complete monitoring system, including no phone line cellular options, GPS, activity monitoring, and fall detection as well. Their equipment is modern-looking too with the MiniMGLite being the smallest mobile device on the market. There is not much to not like about Medial Guardian, especially the quality of their products and service. If they had options for medication reminders, carbon monoxide, and smoke detection monitoring, they would really have a complete senior monitoring solution. We also wish that they didn’t charge upfront equipment fees. Other medical alert businesses do not require you to buy their equipment. Instead, you are leasing the system and have to return it if you cancel the service. There is some risk in purchasing medical alert equipment since technology can become quickly outdated but with the more advanced and customized features available today, this seems to be the trend.

We give top marks for their monitoring center which uses two operators on calls that require emergency assistance and they are available to you in many languages. They also have top certifications such as TMA Five Diamond Certification. We do wish their monitoring center was company-owned for additional control over the service.

Caregiving is all about risk management, and with having a quality medical alert system at home, you can feel more at ease knowing that help is a button push away. We feel Medical Guardian is a solid choice for all your monitoring needs, so consider them when making your medical alert device decision. Feel free to give them a call today for an up-to-date sales quote.

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.

*Medical Guardian logo is a registered trademark of Medical Guardian, LLC