Medical Alert Systems for Seniors: How They Work and How to Choose

Medical Alert Systems for Seniors: How to Choose One Safely

Emergency first. A medical alert button is not a replacement for 911. If someone falls and is hurt, can't get up, hit their head, or is not responding, call 911. See What to do after a fall.

Key takeaways

• A medical alert system (also called a personal emergency response system, or PERS) lets you call for help by pressing a button.[1]
• Original Medicare does not cover them. CMS lists telephone alert systems as "Deny."[2]
• Some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. Coverage varies, so ask your plan.[3]
• Read the contract. Ask about cancellation fees, response times, and testing before you sign.[1]
• Hang up on calls offering a "free" medical alert device. The FTC has acted against these scams.[4]

Who might want one

Falls are common: more than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year.[5] A fall when no one is around can mean a long wait for help. An alert button may make sense if you:

• Live alone or are alone for long stretches
• Have fallen before, or feel unsteady (take our

)

• Have a health condition that could cause a sudden emergency

How medical alert systems work

The FTC describes three parts:[1]

1. A help button you wear, often on a necklace or wristband.
2. A console (base unit) that connects to your phone line or a cellular network.
3. A response center that answers when you press the button. Staff can talk with you, call a family member or neighbor, or send emergency services.

Some systems add automatic fall detection or GPS for use away from home.

What does it cost?

Plans usually come with a monthly fee, and some charge for equipment or setup. The National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit, puts typical monthly fees at about $20 to $60.[3]

The FTC says you can buy, rent, or lease a system. Compare total costs, and get the terms in writing.[1]

Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B): no. On CMS's durable medical equipment list, "Telephone Alert Systems" are marked "Deny," because they are emergency communication systems that "do not serve a diagnostic or therapeutic purpose."[2]

Other places to ask:[3]

• Medicare Advantage (Part C): some plans cover part or all of the cost. Call your plan.
• Medicaid: varies by state; most programs don't, but ask your state Medicaid office.
• Veterans: the VA offers medical alert benefits to some veterans. Ask your VA primary care provider.
• Local programs: some Area Agencies on Aging help with costs.

Need help with Medicaid or other benefits? Try our

or see Medicaid eligibility.

Questions to ask before you sign

From the FTC's consumer guidance:[1]

About the system

• Can I test it from every room, the yard, and the shower?
• Is it easy to use for the person wearing it?
• Will it work with other response centers, or if I move?
• What is the warranty, and who repairs it?

About the response center

• Is it staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
• What is the average response time?
• How are staff trained?
• How often is the system tested?

About the contract

• Is there a cancellation fee? What happens if I go into a hospital or nursing home?
• Is the price in writing?
• Avoid high-pressure sales. You can check complaints with your state attorney general and the Better Business Bureau.[1]

Watch out for medical alert scams

The FTC has taken action against telemarketers who made robocalls claiming:[4]

• A "free" device had been bought for you by a family member or friend
• The product was endorsed by a health or senior group
• There would be no charge, when monthly fees actually started right away

What to do: hang up. Don't press any number to "speak to an operator" or "be removed." Report it to the FTC. Not sure? Use our

, or see Is this a scam?.

Other ways to stay safe at home

• Keep a phone you can reach from the floor and the bed.[6]
• Make your home safer with our Home safety checklist for seniors.
• Build strength and balance: Balance exercises for seniors.
• Keep a card with your medicines and contacts for responders:

FAQ

Does Medicare pay for medical alert systems? Original Medicare doesn't.[2] Some Medicare Advantage plans may.[3]

Do I need a landline? Not always. Many newer systems use cellular service. Ask the company what it needs.

Is a medical alert system worth it? It depends on your risk and whether you live alone. It does not prevent falls; exercise and a safer home do that part.

Someone called saying I won a free medical alert. Is it real? Probably not. The FTC has acted against exactly this pitch. Hang up.[4]

Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission. Personal Emergency Response Systems (FTC Facts for Consumers). March 2001. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-FT-PURL-LPS85509/pdf/GOVPUB-FT-PURL-LPS85509.pdf. Accessed October 30, 2026. (Older guidance; used only for buying questions, not prices.)
2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. National Coverage Determination: Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (280.1). https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncd.aspx?ncdid=190. Accessed October 30, 2026.
3. National Council on Aging (NCOA). Insurance Coverage for Medical Alert Systems. n.d. https://www.ncoa.org/article/does-insurance-cover-medical-alert-systems/. Accessed October 30, 2026. (Nonprofit, secondary source.)
4. Federal Trade Commission. FTC Issues Refunds Totaling More Than $1.8 Million to Consumers Defrauded by Lifewatch, Inc.'s Deceptive Medical Alert Telemarketing Scheme. December 2021. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/12/ftc-issues-refunds-totaling-more-18-million-consumers-defrauded-lifewatch-incs-deceptive-medical. Accessed October 30, 2026. (INDIRECT: FTC page blocked our fetcher; details confirmed via search index text of FTC 2014–2021 releases.)
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Older Adult Falls. CDC. 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Accessed October 30, 2026.
6. National Institute on Aging. Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room. NIH/NIA. n.d. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-room. Accessed October 30, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Talk to your doctor, a licensed attorney, or a SHIP counselor (Medicare) about your situation. In an emergency, call 911.

Attribution

Portions of this page are adapted from "HowToLiveBetter" (高性价比人生指南) by eternity4719, https://github.com/eternity4719/HowToLiveBetter, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Changes: general topic area (staying safe at home as you age) inspired by the home-safety chapters; this page has no direct source chapter; written for the U.S. context (not a direct translation) and sourced to U.S. official guidance.