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.
Average
Medihill is a newer medical alert system company that only dates back to their launch in 2010. They're headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia region. Their mission is to provide effective, reliable, and affordable medical equipment for people who have limited abilities but still want to have an independent lifestyle. Beyond emergency situations, Medihill helps customers watch over their health and wellbeing with an expanding telehealth market and sophisticated technologies.
One in-home system
There are 4 medical alert systems offered by Medihill. One is designed specifically for in-home use and the other 3 can connect you to emergency services while you're out and about. The Medihill Home PERS includes a tabletop console with a push button for emergency assistance. The transmitter can reach up to 1,000 feet, it comes with a 24-hour backup battery, it connects to a lightweight pendant, and its powerful speakers can reach through the whole home even if you aren't right next to it. Optionally, you can add fall detection to this system for an extra $10/month. It works through a landline or you could opt for cellular service for an extra $5/month.
"Health tracker" system
The first portable medical alert device we discovered from Medihill appeared to be a little different from what we've seen anywhere else. It's called "HealthTracker Medical Alert" and is an all-in-one mobile health, wellness, and personal safety solution. It has 2-way voice communication, optional fall detection for $10/month, alarm activity tracking from anywhere in the world, and is wearable on a lanyard, belt, or as a pendant. We would have expected a device that's advertised for health and wellness to at least track steps or something, but although this device looks a little different from the others, it doesn't have any impressive health benefits. The monthly plan on this device is $39.99, the quarterly plan breaks down to $37.79/month, the semi-annual plan is $35.19/month, and the annual plan is $32.99/month. Semi-annual and annual plans come with free shipping and annual plans also come with a free lockbox.
Simple SOS alert button
The Medihill Hotpod is the second medical alert system available for on-the-go. It has a simple SOS alert button, up to 72 hours of battery life, 2-way calling, locating technology, optional fall detection for $10/month, built-in vibration and motion sensor, and can be worn as a wristband or on a belt clip. The pricing for this choice is $39.99/month, $37.79/month quarterly, $35.19/month semi-annually, or $32.99/month if you pay annually. All plans come with free activation, and free device rental. Semi-annual and annual plans come with free shipping and the annual plan also means you get a free lockbox.
Popular choice
A crowd favorite is the Medihill smartwatch. This device has an SOS button, optional fall detection for $10/month, two-way calling, 48 hours of battery life, heart rate monitoring, a step counter, and is available in 11 languages. The smartwatch looks just like any other watch you might wear, so no one would suspect that it's a medical alert system. Rather than buying the smartwatch like you do through most companies, it's a rental, so you aren't charged anything extra. Monthly plans for the watch are $44.99, $42.07/monthly if you pay quarterly, $39.59/month if you pay semi-annually, and $37.12 if you pay a whole year upfront. All systems come with free activation, but you'll only get free shipping with semi-annual and annual plans and also a free lockbox with annual plans.
Other products to consider
Other accessories or products you might consider adding to your purchase are an extra pendant for $34.99/month, express shipping for $29.99 (USPS shipping that arrives in 1-2 days), or a lock box (if you're getting a monthly or quarterly plan) for $24.99.
Extended protection
Regardless of which medical alert system you go with, Medihill will offer a protection plan for an additional $5/month. This allows a two-time replacement annually for broken or damaged devices. This is a pretty generous protection plan, considering we hardly ever see companies that offer more than one device replacement per year.
Try for 30 days
If you try out Medihill and aren't happy with the equipment performance, activation process, or any other aspect of the company and decide to change your mind, you can get a full refund within 30 days.
Hardly any customer reviews
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has awarded Medihill an "A+" rating for their service. We wish they had more customer reviews because this is one thing that's definitely lacking compared to other medical alert system companies. They don't have any on their website, none from their BBB profile, and hardly any anywhere else online. We really like to see what other people have to say about their experience with a company, so it's disappointing to not have that here.
Nothing we haven't seen before
Because Medihill offers a 30-day trial, it's not a very risky choice for medical alert systems. However, it seems like it may not be the most popular place to turn since they have so little feedback from customers. Their pricing is definitely reasonable, but their devices are nothing we haven't already seen before. This company strikes us as a decent option for medical alert systems, but there are definitely more tried and true choices out there.
Continued from above...
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.
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:
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!
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How to Choose a Medical Alert System
Each year many sick and elderly people encounter accidents and health issues that needlessly take their lives. Medical alert systems can make all the difference in the world for those living alone and in distress. In an emergency, medical alert units create a direct line of communication to needed assistance. If a person falls or becomes ill they simply press a button on a pendant or wrist transmitter to gain the attention of an emergency specialist. That person will immediately call the authorities to send help if needed. The fear of a loved one waiting hours or even days for assistance is no longer an issue with a medical alert system available.
If this is your first medical alert system purchase you may be looking for help with choosing the right device. Making a well informed decision will ensure you get the most for your money and are satisfied with the end result.
There are several important elements to consider when choosing a medical alert system. Some of these include:
Equipment
Not all equipment is created equal. The medical alert button needs to be easy to wear and use. Some may want a unit that's water proof and sturdy to handle showers. If hearing is an issue you'll want a unit that is easy to adjust and has adequate volume options. Knowing the size of the home and how far the transmitter will reach is also important. You'll want UL tested equipment with
a good
history. Look for products with a battery back-up should the power go out. Also look to see how often batteries need to be replaced. Some batteries last a few months while others last for years. Ask about installation and if a professional is required and how much that will cost.
Warranty
If something happens to the equipment you'll want to make sure it comes with a guarantee. Preferably, the company will replace any broken equipment at no cost. Also look for a company that regularly tests the in home system for good working . Are extended customer support hours available should an issue or question come up about the equipment.
Monitoring Center
In the event of an emergency you'll want a company that provides fast, top notch service. A monitoring company that utilizes its own employees, and doesn't outsource, will most likely provide the best overall service. One that is accountable and well staffed. Does the monitoring company have back-up power, during outages, and are they UL certified?
Cost and Contracts
All medical alert companies price their equipment and monthly monitoring fees differently. Some will sell you the equipment and then charge a monthly fee while others will allow you to rent the equipment and including the monitoring costs in the monthly charges. Some require a several year contract while others are more flexible. If you decide to cancel the contract early
you
may encounter an early termination fee. Make sure you understand any fees associated with a medical alert system you're considering.
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