How to Choose a Medical Alert System Provider
Seniors with chronic health conditions who live alone often benefit from having a medical alert system provider that can summon help in times of emergency. These Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) use a small radio transmitter, a console connected to your telephone and an emergency response center to respond appropriately to calls.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Check for recommendations from other people using medical alert systems. If your doctor has a large senior patient population, ask his or her nurse what they've heard from their patients about the different providers.
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2
Ask medical alert providers what their procedure is when you call for help. Be sure to find out the average response time. All providers should provide service 24/7, even on holidays. If not, mark them off your list.
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Decide whether you want a provider-based or manufacturer-based emergency response center. A provider-based system calls a local agency or hospital, while the manufacturer response center calls usually go to the national office, which will get in touch with local emergency numbers for you.
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4
Find out if the transmitter that you carry in your pocket, around your neck or on your wrist has any type of system that tells you when to change batteries. You should choose a system that has an indicator light that tells you when to change batteries.
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Choose a provider that also arranges for emergency help from the fire and police departments in addition to a medical alert system.
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Buy or rent a medical alert system from the best provider you can afford. Medicare doesn't cover medical alert providers, nor do most insurance companies, although you can write them off as a medical expense at tax time.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep spare batteries on hand, and change batteries promptly. You don't want the system to fail because you never got around to changing batteries.
Make sure your medical alert system company provides for a test at least every week to make certain everything is in working order.
If you have concerns about a medical alert provider, contact a local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints.
