A medical alert system is set up for people who may need emergency services in a crisis. Medical alert systems are tied into local emergency response services or call centers. Most systems provide a device that's worn by the patient and connected to the user's telephone. Worn around the neck or wrist, a signal is sent for help when the person requires assistance.
Call Centers
Most medical alert systems ring into a call center that can receive the call and send for the appropriate health care provider. Depending on the kind of system used, a call center may be staffed by live operators who can assess a situation and offer advice, an automated response system or a home alarm company. Some centers have trained operators while others use standard responses.
Considerations
Subscribers should find out what times of day and night are covered by the medical alert company, as well as the type of operator used. They should inquire as to the company's privacy policies and what kind of response time is guaranteed. The various devices carry different warranties and should be noted before signing on with a provider. In addition, subscribers will want to know if the calls are outsourced and who will be answering the calls.
Costs
Medicare does not cover medical alert systems. Most insurance plans do not cover the service either. Some local municipalities offer assistance to low-income seniors who are in need of the service. Upfront costs for a medical alert system range from nothing to $150 and usually include activation and installation fees. Ongoing subscription charges average $25 a month (as of 2009). Some companies require a contract for a set period of time, while others offer month-to-month plans. Additional units to place around the home also are available from most companies.
Features
Medical alert providers offer a number of different features. Some come with raised Braille displays and others have bright LED displays. They usually have power buttons to indicate whether the equipment is turned on and lights to show whether the unit has been activated. Portable units are available that can answer and hang up the telephone. Backup power ensures the unit will be working at all times.
Services
A subscriber usually can choose between a number of services. Fall monitoring detects when the user has fallen or is in a distressed mode judging by the body position. Long periods of inactivity, including normal movement or turning the device on and off, may send an alert to the call center to check on the user. Some units automatically send an alert, while others need to be transmitted manually. Call check-in services make arrangements to call the user at specified times of day and if there is no response, help is sent.
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