Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Bay Alarm Medical Review

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Medical Alert System Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Bay Alarm Medical Review 5 Star Rating

Bay Alarm Medical

5 Star Rating
  • Monthly plans
  • FSA/HSA eligible
  • 30-day risk-free trial
  • Connects in 45 seconds or less with emergency response
  • 24/7 USA-based monitoring
  • 100% waterproof products
  • No long-term contracts or cancellation fees
  • "A+” Better Business Bureau rating
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Bay Alarm Medical has been providing life-saving medical alert systems to customers for nearly 80 years. They have a USA-based medical emergency response center that's available 24/7. Their centers are in Ogden, Utah and Rexburg, Idaho and dispatchers will answer a response from an alarm within 45 seconds. Bay Alarm Medical is available all throughout the United States, so as long as you have a compatible home phone and power or cell service in your area, you can get signed up for their service.

Four main systems

There are four main product options for customers who want to try out Bay Alarm Medical. The first is the "SOS Home” system that's available in both cellular LTE and landline connections. It has 2-way communication during an emergency and has a 32-hour battery backup in case of a power outage or blackout. This system comes with an in-home base unit, wearable button for your wrist or neck (up to 1,000 feet of range), and vial of life (which provides EMS with your medical information during an emergency). The SOS Home landline package is $19.95/month, the SOS Home cellular package is $29.95/month with free shipping, and the SOS Home cellular with fall detection is $39.95/month with free shipping.

Stay out and about

The second system from Bay Alarm Medical is for those who are often on-the-go. The "SOS Mobile” comes with a mobile device with GPS and WiFi location services and optional fall detection. It can last up to 6 days on a single charge and it only takes 2-3 hours to charge from empty. You could wear it around your neck or on a belt clip, since the device comes with both. This system has "caregiver tracking” through an app, so whoever is allowed access can see where the wearer is at all times. This device has not only been used by seniors, but could also be something to consider for children or people who work in more dangerous professions. This system is $29.50/month with free shipping or $39.50/month if you want to add fall detection. If you want to bundle this with an in-home SOS Home Device as well, the monthly cost is $54.95. On top of the monthly fee, you'll need to make a one-time device purchase of $49.

Best Medical Alert Systems

Happy medium

For people who spend a good amount of time at home and elsewhere, the "SOS All-In-One 2” is something to consider. This includes a portable SOS device with a help button and 2-way speaker, automatic fall detection, and location tracking. You'll also get a charging base for it, a wearable button with a belt clip or lanyard, and caregiver tracking. It's great to have on you while you're out and also serves as a base console when you're home. If the device is charging, you can use the wearable button instead. The cost for this system is $34.95/month with free shipping or $44.95/month with free shipping if you include fall detection. The one-time device cost for this device is $99.

Make it modern

The last product recommended by Bay Alarm Medical is their sleek SOS smartwatch. It's a more modern-day alternative to traditional alert systems and doesn't require a smartphone. It will always show your cell signal to make sure you're within a good network range. Users can track the weather, their activity levels, and of course, connect to the 24/7 monitoring center by pressing and holding the red SOS button. The SOS smartwatch is $39.95/month with free shipping and a $149 one-time device purchase, or $49.95/month with automatic fall detection and a $149 one-time device purchase. If you want to upgrade to the SOS Smartwatch 360 Bundle, it will be $64.95/month and comes with a wearable button and SOS home device.

Try it risk-free

We were really excited to see that Bay Alarm Medical offers a 30-day risk free trial. If during this time you decide that the device you're using or the company isn't a good fit for you or your loved one's needs, you can send it back for a full refund, minus shipping.

Best Medical Alert Systems

Upgrade for a warranty

If you happen to damage or break your medical alert system device or accessories, you can either buy new ones online or by phone, or take advantage of Bay Alarm Medical's premier protection plan (warranty) for $2.95/month that allows for one unit replacement per contractual year and 50% off the value of accessories. Normal wear and tear or manufacturer's defects that result in issues with your medical alert system devices are automatically and always covered by Bay Alarm Medical without any added monthly cost.

Thumbs up from customers

Bay Alarm Medical not only has a "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, but also fantastic reviews from customers. Their customer service seems to be extremely professional, helpful, and responsive based on so many people having great things to say about them. They're said to have caring, compassionate service with transparent reminders about billing and other details regarding customer accounts. We found over 1,100 honest comments from customers and the vast majority gave Bay Alarm Medical a thumbs up.

Great all around

We like that all Bay Alarm Medical's devices are eligible for payment through FSA or HSA. You can cancel at any time as long as you send your equipment back. The four product options seem really reasonable and would fit anyone's lifestyle. We especially like the smartwatch since those are popular and you can get added benefits out of the features besides just emergency alerts. Since customers are also so happy with this service, it's by far our favorite option and Bay Alarm Medical has earned our highest rating among medical alert systems.

Where is the Best Place to Purchase a Medical Alert System?

Medical alert systems bring an added sense of safety to the wearer and give peace of mind to their loved ones. For elderly or disabled individuals who live independently, it's important to have a quick means of communication to alert someone in case of an emergency. This could be a fall, the onset of a heart attack, or some other medical crisis. Medical alert systems contact emergency services to provide urgent care to the wearer.

You might think, "Why not just use a cell phone to call for help”? Well, sometimes the time it takes to dial a phone number or look up a phone contact will take too long. Also, it's likely that if someone fell out of their car or even around the house, they may not have their phone in hand. Plus, some patients who show signs of dementia may get confused and not know who to call when it comes down to it - or not have the dexterity to dial.

The Best Medical Alert Systems Compare Medical Alert Systems Compare Medical Alert System Reviews What are the best Medical Alert Systems Best Medical Alert System Reviews

Medical Alert System FAQ

A medical alert system is often used by seniors who want to "age in place" rather than move to an independent/assisted living facility. Using a button on a pendant or wrist strap, they can let loved ones and/or emergency responders know that they need help due to a fall or medical situation.
Most systems on the market include a wearable panic button and round-the-clock remote monitoring. You can choose a plan that covers in-home use only or one that includes coverage when the wearer is out and about.
That depends on the person using the system and what kind of help they might need. Some medical alert systems include automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and even smartwatch features like heart rate monitoring and tracking health goals.
Pricing varies, but you can anticipate monthly service fees ranging from $19.95 to $56.95 - the higher your coverage, the more you'll pay per month. You'll also need to factor in equipment costs: some service providers let you choose between buying it outright (lower monthly fees) and renting it (higher monthly fees).
Unfortunately, you won't get coverage for a medical alert system through Original Medicare or Medicaid. But, if you have a supplemental insurance plan, you might be able to get a discount. Check with your carrier if this applies to you.
The majority of medical alert systems come with a 30-day trial or money-back guarantee. However, with respect to the equipment, you'll want to read the fine print to understand your provider's terms if something goes wrong with your panic button or with any other devices down the line.
Yes. Very few medical alert providers lock you into a long-term contract. Most often, you'll get a prorated refund for any prepaid months of coverage once you return rented equipment. Plus, you have that initial trial period of 15-30 days that's offered by most medical alert services.
Your best bet is to see what other customers have to say. Look for reviews, preferably on third-party sites not affiliated with the provider. Another great resource is the Better Business Bureau: an "A+" rating and accreditation are good signs that you or your loved one will be well-protected by a particular medical alert service.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Medical alert systems can be worn as a bracelet or necklace, so they stay out of the way, but are conveniently accessible at all times. Some companies have shower-mounted devices that can withstand heat and moisture. No matter how you wear your device or where it is, the point is that they're as easy as clicking a single button to connect to an operator and ask for help. A neat feature available with some medical alert systems is the ability for the device to detect a fall before the person even calls for help. This could be life-saving if someone was unable to speak or move due to their fall.

There are quite a few companies that offer medical alert services. Some have a long-established history and tons of feedback from customers. Others are newly entering the industry, so it's important to do a lot of research about each one to find a company that will be responsive to the wearer, keep up-to-date with latest technologies, and be around for a long time. Look for a company that's really transparent with their pricing so you won't be overpaying or confused about what the price will be month-to-month.

We've thoroughly explored many of the companies that sell medical alert systems. They each offer a slightly different variety of features and pricing plans, so you'll need to go with the one that will be the best solution for yourself or your loved one. We've highlighted a few things that we recommend you look for specifically as you shop around:

  • Cost. There's usually a one-time cost to buy the medical device equipment and then an ongoing fee for the service to be available 24/7. Does the company have all their pricing clearly posted on their website or do you have to talk with a sales agent to figure it out? Transparent is best, so go with a company that makes it easy to see what you'll be paying.
  • Contracts. How does the company structure their contracts? Are you able to pay month-to-month or will you need to commit to something longer than that? What is the process for canceling if you no longer need the service at some point?
  • Features. Do you get automatic fall detection with your device? Does the company provide more than one device to keep around the house or does this cost a lot extra? How strong is the connection on the device around the house or in the yard?
  • Reputation. You get a pretty good idea of how reliable and trustworthy a company is based on how they've treated their customers in the past. People will speak up about this, so pay attention to customer reviews as well as the company's rating from the Better Business Bureau.

To give you the best, most reliable experience with a medical safety device, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have vetted multiple companies and done plenty of research on the pros and cons of each. We hope this information proves valuable guidance to help you find a medical device company that gives you an added sense of safety!

Compare Medical Alert Systems

Select any 2 Medical Alert Systems to compare them head to head

best-medical-alert-systems
  • Bay Alarm Medical
  • Medical Care Alert
  • LifeFone
  • Life Alert
  • MobileHelp
  • ADT
  • LifeStation
  • Medical Guardian
  • Medihill
  • Alert 1
  • Lifeline
Bay Alarm Medical vs Medical Care Alert Bay Alarm Medical vs LifeFone Bay Alarm Medical vs Life Alert Bay Alarm Medical vs MobileHelp Bay Alarm Medical vs ADT Bay Alarm Medical vs LifeStation Bay Alarm Medical vs Medical Guardian Bay Alarm Medical vs Medihill Bay Alarm Medical vs Alert 1 Bay Alarm Medical vs Lifeline Medical Care Alert vs LifeFone Medical Care Alert vs Life Alert Medical Care Alert vs MobileHelp Medical Care Alert vs ADT Medical Care Alert vs LifeStation Medical Care Alert vs Medical Guardian Medical Care Alert vs Medihill Medical Care Alert vs Alert 1 Medical Care Alert vs Lifeline LifeFone vs Life Alert LifeFone vs MobileHelp LifeFone vs ADT LifeFone vs LifeStation LifeFone vs Medical Guardian LifeFone vs Medihill LifeFone vs Alert 1 LifeFone vs Lifeline Life Alert vs MobileHelp Life Alert vs ADT Life Alert vs LifeStation Life Alert vs Medical Guardian Life Alert vs Medihill Life Alert vs Alert 1 Life Alert vs Lifeline MobileHelp vs ADT MobileHelp vs LifeStation MobileHelp vs Medical Guardian MobileHelp vs Medihill MobileHelp vs Alert 1 MobileHelp vs Lifeline ADT vs LifeStation ADT vs Medical Guardian ADT vs Medihill ADT vs Alert 1 ADT vs Lifeline LifeStation vs Medical Guardian LifeStation vs Medihill LifeStation vs Alert 1 LifeStation vs Lifeline Medical Guardian vs Medihill Medical Guardian vs Alert 1 Medical Guardian vs Lifeline Medihill vs Alert 1 Medihill vs Lifeline Alert 1 vs Lifeline
Compare the Best Medical Alert Systems
- VS -
Review the Best Medical Alert Systems
See the Best Medical Alert System
The Best Reviews of Medical Alert Systems