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Medical Alert Systems from America’s Most Trusted Home Security Company
Updated April 25, 2023
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ADT is a highly-reputable brand with a century’s worth of industry experience and reliability. We’ve tried out their products over the years, and we can say that ADT doesn’t disappoint when it comes to great customer service and reliable monitoring. The ADT Health medical alert system offers three different options for seniors who wish to maintain their independence.
The starting monthly rate is slightly higher than what you will see with other brands, but you will not be nickeled and dimed with additional fees. Most importantly, you will not be required to purchase the equipment. In addition, you will not see activation, processing, or other hidden fees.
The only thing that may increase your monthly rate is if you decide to include an add-on or two, but all providers charge extra for things like fall detection or an additional pendant.
What really sets ADT Health apart from the rest is their special ForeveRate™ feature.1 This price-lock guarantee means that the price of monitoring will never increase, which is great if you’re looking for long-term coverage. We’re going to dive into their plans, packages, and pricing to find out if ADT Health is right for you or your loved one.
The best features of this system
If you don’t like being bombarded with options, you are going to like working with ADT. They keep things simple, covering the bases with three medical alert systems. These systems are easy to use, and the pricing is straightforward.
Here is what you can expect to pay for their different plans and rates:
| ADT Medical Alert Systems | System Type | Monthly Plan Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Alert Basic | At-home Landline Alert | $29.99 per month |
| Medical Alert Plus | At-home Cellular Alert | $37.99 per month |
| On-The-Go | Cellular Mobile Alert | $39.99 per month |
One thing to bear in mind is that ADT Health allows you to customize your alert system, but the upgrade and add-on options are limited. That said, we were glad to see they offer fall detection with their plans, as some brands like Life Alert don’t include this service. In our experience, it’s a lifesaving investment worth the $11 per month fee.
| ADT Medical Alert Add-Ons | Device Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Waterproof Button | Indoor Wearable Help Button | $14.99 + $5 per month |
| Fall Detection | Service | $11 per month |
| Waterproof Wall-Mounted Button | Ideal for the Bathroom | $2.99 per month |
| Leather Case | Carrying Case and Belt Clip for On-the-Go Device. | $10 one-time fee |
| ADT Lockbox | Stores key for easy access during an emergency | $29.99 one-time fee |
FYI: With ADT Health’s ForeveRate price-lock guarantee, you don’t have to worry about your monthly cost going up. The price you pay when you sign up is the same when you cancel.
ADT offers three main alert systems depending on your needs: in-home only with or without a landline, and a portable mobile device you can take with you on-the-go (great for active seniors). You can learn more about each system and package below. We’ll start with the at-home plans first, and then move on to the mobile alert system with GPS tracking.
ADT Medical Alert – Medical Alert Basic
This system includes a base station with 300-ft coverage and a wearable help button (pendant or bracelet) in either a black or white design. For $29.99 per month, you also get ADT Health’s home temperature monitoring and their ForeveRate price-lock guarantee. We do think the price for this barebones system is a bit steep. Other brands, like Medical Guardian, offer better range for the same price. In fact, Medical Guardian provides a 1,300-ft. range for $29.95 per month. Not bad.
Who It’s Best For: ADT’s in-home system with a landline connection is best suited for seniors who mostly stay around the house and have a phone line.
Did You Know? All of the emergency alert buttons from ADT Health are 100% waterproof. This gives you the freedom to wear help buttons and pendants in the bathtub or shower.
ADT’s Plus system comes with an advanced base unit that does not require a landline as it works with cellular monitoring. At 600 feet, its range is also higher than that of the basic system, so you can roam the yard as well as the house. So we prefer this plan over the Medical Alert Basic option. It includes a waterproof wearable help button and costs $37.99 per month.
Who It’s Best For: Medical Alert Plus is best for seniors who enjoy gardening or spending time in their backyards and would like the flexibility of wireless monitoring. It also accommodates those who have a larger home and need more than a 300-foot range.
ADT Medical Alert Plus
FYI: ADT Health encourages customers to use a plan other than monthly payment. To sweeten the deal, they offer a free lockbox to customers who opt for the quarterly or annual payment plan.
At $39.99, the On-The-Go system is ADT Health’s most expensive plan. It comes with a charging station as well as a wearable pendant or bracelet. This system uses GPS location tracking, so you will feel safe when away from home. Keep in mind that when using the wearable help button, you must stay within 100 feet of the mobile device to remain covered. We didn’t find anything truly exceptional about this system, but it is a solid, basic system from a name that you can trust. With that said, some brands, like Bay Alarm Medical, offer similar coverage at a cheaper price.
ADT Medical Alert – On-The-Go Equipment
Who It’s Best For: Active seniors who frequently leave home and could benefit from GPS tracking in the event of an emergency.
Keep In Mind: All of ADT Health’s medical alert systems have a lifetime warranty. So, if your system is ever damaged or defective, ADT will replace it at no extra cost.
ADT Health is currently offering a $5 discount on fall detection. Plus, if you purchase an ADT Health medical alert system before 2 pm on any given day, you’ll enjoy free one-day shipping. This is a perk not found with many other brands.
| Medical Alert Basic | Medical Alert Plus | On-the-Go |
|---|---|---|
| $29.99/mo | $37.99/mo | $39.99/mo |
| View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
| Services | Services | Services |
| In-Home Monitoring | In-Home Monitoring | In-Home and Mobile Monitoring |
| Temperature Monitoring | Temperature Monitoring | Optional Fall Detection |
| Optional Fall Detection | Optional Fall Detection | GPS Location Services |
| Equipment | Equipment | Equipment |
| Landline Medical Alert Systems | Wireless Medical Alert System | Portable Mobile Device with Two-Way Voice |
| Base Unit | Base Unit | Wireless Waterproof Wristband or Pendant |
| Waterproof Wristband or Pendant | Waterproof Wristband or Pendant | Cradle Charger with Power Cord |
| Mobile Carrying Case | ||
| Options | Options | Options |
| Additional Wearable Help Buttons | Waterproof Fall Detection Pendant | Waterproof Fall Detection Pendant |
| ADT Lockbox | Additional Wearable Help Buttons | Additional Wearable Help Buttons |
| Waterproof Wall Mount Button | Waterproof Wall Mount Button | |
| ADT Lockbox | ADT Lockbox | |
| Leather Case | ||
ADT Health’s monthly monitoring fees are somewhat pricey compared to other brands we’ve tested, but they include a price-lock guarantee and do not require an equipment fee. ADT Health also throws in a lifetime warranty and free shipping.
We think the at-home systems could offer better overall coverage and more features in their plans. Our biggest gripe was with ADT’s lackluster range on their at-home systems. The 300 to 600-ft. range just doesn’t measure up to other options, such as LifeFone’s 1,300-ft.range at $29.95 per month. In addition, our testing revealed an average response time of 55 seconds, slightly slower than the industry standard of 40 seconds. For example, Lively has an average response time of 19 seconds.
ADT’s On-The-Go package might be a safe bet if you’re always on the move and would like the added protection of GPS tracking and optional fall detection. Even if the technology isn’t 100% accurate, we recommend signing up for a little more peace of mind.2
Did You Know: ADT Health’s On-the-Go device includes light indicators and voice prompts that assist individuals who are hearing impaired.
ADT Health medical alert systems are brought to you by ADT, a well-known leader in the home security field. They are widely known for their quality service and have been providing home security services for more than 140 years to customers throughout the United States and Canada.
Today, the company serves more than 6 million customers nationwide.3 Something to note is that ADT prioritizes their customers’ trust, and this care really comes across in the brand’s ethics-based programs and focus on social responsibility.4 You can learn more about the company’s offerings in our full review of ADT Health here.
The mobile device is water-resistant. It can be used in the shower but should not be submerged.
The system can move with you. Contact ADT Health at least 30 days prior to your move so that the company can transfer the system. Also, note that you may be charged a fee.
ADT Health does not offer a free trial period. They will reimburse any unused days in the monthly billing cycle upon return of the equipment. They also send a prepaid mailing label that can be used to return the devices.
While traveling by air, you will need to turn your device off. This can be done by pressing the on/off button on the lower side of the device.
Yes, a lifetime warranty covers parts, labor, and service for normal wear and tear. It doesn’t cover lost or damaged items.
ADT.com. (Retrieved June 2020). Health & Medical Alert FAQs.
https://www.adt.com/help/health
NCBI. Broadley, R; et. al. (2018, June 27). Methods for the Real-World Evaluation of Fall Detection Technology: A Scoping Review.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6068511/
ADT Inc. Wikipedia. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADT_Inc.
ADT.com. (2020). ADT is Committed to Your Home and Business Security.
https://www.adt.com/about-adt
