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WALGREENS READY RESPONSE SERVICES ARE NO LONGER BEING OFFERED. WALGREENS IS NOW RESELLING SERVICES FROM LIVELY (GREATCALL) AND DRIVE MEDICAL. THIS REVIEW IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED.
Walgreen’s is the nation’s largest drugstore chain and their medical alert systems are actually provided by Connect America (a third party) and not directly by Walgreens themselves. Connect America has been in the medical alert monitoring business for over 40 years and their multiple monitoring centers are based in the USA. Their operators have special medical alert monitoring training and they maintain a multilingual staff however, their monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond Certified. Walgreens is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois while Connect America is in Long Island City, NY.
If you go to Walgreen’s website you will not find information on their Ready Response service. If you search for “medical alert” on their website, you will actually find products available to purchase from GreatCall, but not Walgreen’s Ready Response.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Walgreens Ready Response Medical Alert offers traditional medical alert systems, cellular based systems, GPS options, and automatic fall detection all with a modern look and feel.
There are five system packages that Walgreens Ready Response Medical Alert offers with an add on option of automatic fall detection:
1. Home Based Unit: Traditional in-home system that uses a landline. You do have the option of adding automatic fall detection to this system.
2. Cellular Home Based Unit: In-home cellular based system that does not require a landline. System includes a Mytrex unit and pendant that can be worn multiple ways. Can be used with or without the fall detection pendant.
3. Ready Response On the Go – Mobile Safety Device: Mobile medical alert that provides on the go coverage and uses GPS tracking and location-based services (LBS) which can be programmed to include fall detection (for an additional cost.)
4. All-in-1 Mobile : Waterproof pendant with two-way audio built in. It can be used anywhere since it’s not tied to a base station. Includes automatic fall detection. This system may not be listed online however, it is available to purchase over the phone.
5. All-in-1 LTE: This system is the same as the All-in-1 Mobile however it includes added protection with a Smart Cradle and additional wristband. The additional wristband provided keeps you protected while your pendant is charging on the Smart Cradle. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to charge your device and the battery lasts up to 5 days. This system may not be listed online however, it is available to purchase over the phone.
Fall Detection Pendant (Add on): In-home pendant with automatic fall detection that can be used with the In-Home or Cellular Home Based Units.
PROS
Walgreen’s Ready Response does not require long-term contracts. There is a low battery signal sent for the button and an automatic fall detection option. They have a mobile GPS option, new two-way voice pendant available, advanced payment discounts and free shipping. Their monitoring service operates two redundant monitoring centers.
CONS
Walgreens is only a reseller of the service, could take 5-7 days to receive the system, no activity or medical vitals monitoring option. No carbon monoxide detector or smoke alarm options available. Monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond Certified. Some of their products have one-time equipment fees.
RATING: 
SINCE WALGREENS READY RESPONSE IS NO LONGER BEING OFFERED, CONSIDER CVS SYMPHONY INSTEAD.
Compare Device Features:
Pros & Cons To Consider | How did Walgreens Ready Response do? |
| Price | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| Cost for Equipment | None. Self installation, but professional installation is available for a $75.00 fee. |
| Cost Per Month | The Landline In-Home Based alert system monthly cost starts at $22.95 per month. |
| Advance Payment Discounts | Yes |
| Monitoring Agreement Term | Requires 30-day notice |
| Repairs or Replacement Charges | None, always covered by a full warranty and replacements shipped. If unit is lost or damaged, there will be a replacement fee. |
| Cancellation Policy & Discounts | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| Cancel at Any Time | Yes, with 30-days notice. You will get a pro-rated amount back for unused services, and you have to pay return shipping. |
| Senior Discount | No |
| Other Discounts | Refer a friend and receive one month of free service. |
| Equipment | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| Approximate Button Range in Typical Home | 390 ft. radius |
| Watch/Button Battery Life | Lithium battery with a 5 year life. Sends signal when low |
| What Happens if I Lose Power | Approximately 30 hours of battery backup |
| Is the Watch/Button Waterproof | Water resistant |
| How Can The Button Be Worn | Pendant, wristband, or belt-clip. All 3 options included. |
| UL Certified Equipment | Yes |
| Does The System Automatically Test Itself To The Monitoring Center | No, but we were told they will call you every 4-6 weeks to remind you to test the system. |
| 24 Hour Technical & Customer Support | Yes |
| Monitoring Station | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center | No. Monitoring provided by Connect America. |
| Typical Response Time When Button Pressed | Approximately 1 Minute |
| Other Options & Information | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| How Fast Does System Ship | 5-7 business days to receive with the free shipping option |
| Do You Need Separate Systems For Mom & Dad | No, it’s $4.99/month for a second user |
| Optional Advanced Features | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| Activity or Inactivity Monitoring | No |
| Senior Fall Detection | Yes |
| Cellular or No Phone Line | Yes |
| Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Protection | No |
| GPS Medical Alert Tracking System | Yes, with the Ready Response On the Go Mobile Safety Device. |
| Special Offers | Walgreens Ready Response Review |
| Special Offers For Our Visitors | SINCE WALGREENS READY RESPONSE IS NO LONGER BEING OFFERED, CONSIDER CVS SYMPHONY INSTEAD. |
MONTHLY COSTS & FEES
Walgreens Ready Response fees are comparable with other basic in-home traditional products on the market. The advanced payment discounts make Walgreens Ready Response very price competitive and free shipping is a nice perk. Their Mobile On-the-Go and new All-in-1 systems are very competitively priced within the medical alert market especially when you consider the advanced payment discounts. There are no long-term contracts and you can cancel anytime. Please note that a few of their advanced systems have a one-time activation fee.
| Walgreens Alert System | Cost Per Month | Cost per Month if Paying Semi-Annually | Cost per Month if Paying Annually | Activation Fee |
| Home Based System * | $22.95 | $19.95 | $18.29 | None |
| Cellular Home Based alert system * | $32.95 | $29.95 | $27.45 | None |
| Fall Detection (Add on) | $10.00 | N/A | N/A | None |
| On-the-Go Mobile Safety system | $37.95 | $34.95 | $32.04 | None |
| All-in-1 Mobile w/ Fall Detection | $34.95 | N/A | $32.04 | $99.99 |
| All-in-1 LTE with Fall Detection and Smart Cradle | $44.95 | N/A | $44.95 | $99.99 |
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT WALGREENS READY RESPONSE
Flexible Monitoring Agreement – You can cancel any time with 30 days notice.
24-Hour Support – Walgreens Ready Response medical alert has support available 24 hours per day.
Discounts For Advanced Payments – Discounts for semi-annual and annual payments are available and significant.
Dual-Redundant Monitoring Centers – Has multilingual capabilities and UL Listed redundant monitoring centers.
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 and Non GPS Options – For seniors or even young children on the go, mobile medical alert systems may be an important option for you.
Fall Detection Option – Since diabetics can have the tendency to faint and falls are common among seniors, automatic fall detection can be helpful because the user would be unable to press their medical emergency button.
Two-Way Voice Pendant – Walgreens Ready Response is keeping up with the times and their new All-in-1 system will remove the need of a base unit in the home. You can call for help and speak directly into the pendant.
WHAT WE DISLIKE ABOUT WALGREENS READY RESPONSE
Walgreens is a Reseller – Walgreens is not in the business of monitoring medical alert systems. They are simply resellers of Connect America’s services.
Cancel at Any Time Policy – If you are not happy with your system or service, you will have some out of pocket expenses for your first month of service. Having to commit to only 1-month of service is very reasonable though.
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 Automatic System Tests – System’s console does not automatically test monthly or weekly to the monitoring station. You must test the system yourself, but they will remind you every 4-6 weeks.
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 – 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 Walgreens.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WALGREENS READY RESPONSE
Verified reviews we found on TrustPilot describe users who are happy with Walgreen’s Ready Response’s products and services. One woman describes the speaker being loud enough to hear. Others describe being happy with the response times and overall protection of the system.
The few negative reviews we found spoke about the quality of the equipment being poor, the service inconsistent and difficult to set-up. Overall, we found more positive reviews than negative ones about Walgreens Ready Response. Their new All-in-1 system has recently hit the market so there are no user reviews on that system as of yet.
Walgreens is a Better Business Bureau Accredited company with an A- rating. This is not only for Walgreen’s Ready Response but the entire Walgreen’s brand. It has 460 complaints on file and 85 BBB reviews, with an average star rating of 1.25 out of 5, at the time of this review.
Connect America, who manages the medical alert services for Walgreens, is also a Better Business Bureau Accredited company with an A+ rating. It has 193 complaints on file and 21 BBB reviews, with an average star rating of 1 out of 5, at the time of this review.
BOTTOM LINE
Although Walgreens Ready Response is not actually serviced by Walgreens, you get some assurance that you will get good service with their name behind it. Connect America, who provides the monthly monitoring service, has been in the medical alert industry for over 40 years. The Walgreens website has a lot of good information on it with a good FAQ section that answers many questions you may have without having to make a call. They do not offer a chat feature though.
If you do have to call Walgreens Ready Response for any reason, we found their call representatives to be friendly and knowledgeable, however they will ask you personal questions and give you a lengthy sales pitch. Also, be prepared for potentially long call wait times.
We like that Walgreens Ready Response has comprehensive medical alert system options. If you need a basic landline service or a GPS enabled one with automatic fall detection, they have it. The monthly service fees are reasonable and their advanced payment discounts can be significant. We are happy that Walgreens Ready Response is keeping up with the times and introducing their new All-in-1 two-way voice pendant. Many competitors already offer this product and it is certainly becoming more common in the medical alert industry.
It’s unfortunate that the monitoring centers are not TMA Five Diamond certified but they are redundant and UL-Listed, which is still a plus.
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 Philips Lifeline Review here
