If a loved one is elderly and lives alone, purchasing and setting up a medical alert device is the ideal way to put their mind at ease while facilitating an independent lifestyle. Medical alert systems provide around the clock monitoring, and make it easy for them or other loved ones to call for help immediately if ever there is a need. Most important of all, many medical alarms are easily affordable – some may even be covered by Medicare!
Which Medical Alarms Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare.com [1] reports that Medicare Part B covers medical equipment. However, Part B doesn’t have special plans or coverage for medical alarms, even if many people consider them medical equipment. Even so, a supplemental Medication health plan or a Medicare Advantage plan could cover the entire price of one such medical alarm. Here are a few recommended medical alarms:
1. Lifeline: A Respected Name in the Medical Field
Lifeline is a part of Philips and provides a wristband or pendant medical alert system with a button, speaker, and receiver. All the communication is sent through AT&T, and the buttons are water-resistant.
The GoSafe from Philips can be used both at home and on the go. They use Wi-Fi and are ideal for seniors who travel a lot. In case of an emergency, Philips alerts medical personal about their location with an audio beacon. The GoSafe medical alert charges $149 for equipment and $54.95 per month, while the in-home version starts at $29.95 and equipment charges $50. [2]
2. Bay Alarm Medical: The Most Affordable Option
Bay Alarm Medical provides affordable monitoring with various options starting at $19.95 per month. [3] These include In-Home monitoring, a Mobile GPS Help Button with tracking, and an In-Car monitoring system with crash and medical alert. Automatic fall detection comes at an additional price and it sends a signal to emergency workers when a high-impact fall is picked up.
The In-Home system has 1,000 feet of range and waterproof call buttons ideal for seniors or people with disabilities who stay mostly at home. The base of this medical alert system can use VoIP, landlines, and cable internet. There’s also an option to reset and cancel accidental calls within 15 seconds.
3. MobileHelp: The Highest Quality Medical Alarm
MobileHelp provides high-quality monitoring devices that use a cellular connection. The Classic MobileHelp in-home alarm system provides customers with a wristband and pendant button, beside a base station.
The Solo model has GPS monitoring and the Smart option ties in a Samsung smartwatch with MobileHelp’s medical monitoring services. When it comes to the Duo option, it brings together the Solo and Classic alarm system at $41.95 per month which avoids spending quite a lot of money over purchasing each one separately.
4. LifeStation: Good Value for The Money
Reviewers praise LifeStation as an affordable and reliable medical alarm system that is easy to use. The package includes a waterproof pendant call button or wristband and a base station that uses a landline. They can also purchase the LifeStation Plus and use it with cellular connections, or the LifeStation Mobile that uses GPS. Call buttons come with fall buttons and automatic notifications, 1,000 feet of range for in-home options, and up to five days of service for mobile bundles. If they have a medical need for one of LifeStation’s alarms [4] they might get coverage under Medicare for the $29.95 monthly charge.
[1]https://medicare.com/coverage/does-medicare-cover-medical-alert-systems/
[2]https://www.retirementliving.com/reviews/philips-lifeline
[3]https://www.pcmag.com/review/356879/bay-alarm-medical-in-home-medical-alert
[4]https://www.retirementliving.com/reviews/lifestation-review