If you live alone—or provide caregiving assistance for someone who does—then you may have wondered whether to invest in a medical alert system.

These systems can provide extra peace of mind in the event of an unexpected fall or other emergency when getting to the phone isn’t possible. But how much do medical alert systems cost? Are they affordable?

They can be. It all depends on your budget, the type of device, whether you rent or buy the equipment, and the medical alert system features you choose. While it’s hard to pinpoint an average cost of medical alert systems, monthly fees generally start around $20 and can go up to $60 or more.

We’re here to help you navigate the variables and understand the bottom-line costs so you can choose the most affordable medical alert system for your needs. And when you’re ready to shop around, our Best Medical Alert Systems review can help you choose the option that’s right for you.

Fees to consider when shopping for a medical alert system

As with most consumer products, not all medical alert systems are created equal. Neither are their price tags. When thinking about how much you will pay in total—on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis—you’ll want to look at and add up the equipment costs, service and maintenance fees, and other associated expenses for each system you’re considering.

Let’s take a closer look.

Monthly monitoring fees

$20–$60
We’re covering this cost first, because it’s essential to any monitored medical alert system regardless of the equipment or features you choose. These are the systems that provide 24/7 emergency answering service and dispatching when you activate a call button. (Some consumer products, like the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, offer fall detection and automatic SOS calling; the major difference is that these are not monitored services).

Monthly monitoring fees sometimes are called a “subscription.” And what you get for the money depends on the choices you make. At the low end, you’ll get basic emergency response services over your landline phone. At the high end, you’ll enjoy enhanced emergency response services and features. These enhancements may include real-time GPS tracking, family notifications, automatic fall detection, two-way talk, and more.

Your monthly monitoring fees are fixed and you will need to pay them regularly. Some companies offer one-time discounts if you choose to pay quarterly or annually instead of every month. This means you’ll pay a higher amount when the bill comes due but ultimately save money in the long run.

Equipment

$0–$200 (once or spread monthly)

This cost depends on the company and is in addition to what you’ll pay for the service itself.

Most medical alert system vendors offer several equipment options to choose from. These include:

• Home-based systems that work using your landline
• Home-based systems that work using your cellular network
• Mobile (take it with you) systems that work using GPS and/or cellular networks

The first two options require a base unit paired with a wearable device such as a necklace or watch. These will have a narrow range—usually within your house or apartment. The third option requires only a wearable device and will have a virtually unlimited range—it goes (and functions) where you go.

Home-based, landline systems tend to cost the least. But you occasionally can get even the most advanced equipment for next to nothing. Why?

“It’s a promotional tool,” explained Amanda Krisher, Associate Director, Behavioral Health, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging. “Some companies provide their equipment at no charge as an incentive to sign onto their service contract.”

Many vendors lease their equipment to you rather than sell it. While leasing typically offers more flexibility, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to return the equipment once your service term ends or you cancel your contract. (If you renew your contract, you will have the option to keep or upgrade the equipment). Second, if you cancel your contract early for any reason, you may be on the hook for any outstanding balance you owe on the equipment. And some companies will charge a “restocking fee” that can be as much as $50.

Whether you lease or buy, most companies offer the ability to wrap any equipment costs into your monthly, quarterly, or annual bill so you don’t have to pay for it up front. Some even do this automatically—so it’s important to read all of the fine print before you choose a system to understand exactly what’s included in your contract.

Installation

$25–$100 (once)

What you will—or won’t—pay to install your medical alert system depends on two things:

• Whether you or someone who can help you is tech-savvy
• Whether the company requires their own installation no matter what

In many cases, the equipment is designed to use “off the shelf.” You take it out of the box, plug it into the wall or put the batteries in, and follow the steps to connect it to your monitoring service. If you’re comfortable around technology and willing to navigate the instructions, you can avoid paying the installation fee as long as you choose a company that doesn’t require their own technicians to set it up for you. As usual, the devil is in the details.

You also might consider hiring an outside expert to install and set up your medical alert system. This can work well if you’re not tech-savvy, or if you choose a vendor who doesn’t provide their own installation. Many consumer electronics stores and independent technology consultants offer this service. You can search online or ask people you know for recommendations.

Upgrades and accessories

$5–$20 per month (or more)

Once you’ve decided on your baseline equipment—home-based versus mobile—you’ll have the opportunity to select add-on features and accessories. These might include things like:

• Air quality and temperature monitors
• Automatic fall detection capability
• Bluetooth-enabled window and door sensors
• Extra devices for a spouse or household member
• Health and fitness trackers
• Key lockboxes for first responders
• Location tracking
• Rechargeable batteries
• Waterproof wearables

The possibilities are nearly endless. Keep in mind that not every vendor will offer every feature or accessory. And some of these extras come with a hefty additional cost. Choose only the ones you think you’ll need.

Repairs and replacements

$1-$10 per month (for warranty protection)

Many medical alert system companies offer warranty coverage to repair or replace damaged or defective equipment. Sometimes, they will include this coverage in your service contract automatically—but not always. You may have to purchase a separate warranty or product protection plan, which you may or may not have to pay up front as a one-time charge versus wrapping it into your monthly fee.

And then there’s your sensitivity to risk, especially for equipment that you buy rather than lease. You could save some money up front by opting out of warranty coverage—and hoping nothing breaks. However, if your equipment does malfunction, you could be looking at $100 or more to get it fixed or get a new one.

If all of this sounds confusing, that’s because it is, Krisher said.

“Every company handles their warranties differently, which can make it difficult to compare costs as well as the pros and cons,” she explained. “I always advise choosing a company that stands behind their products and clearly communicates their repair and replacement policies. If they offer a one-time, no-cost, no-questions-asked replacement, all the better.”

Hidden costs

Variable

Some medical alert system companies will charge extra for certain things that aren’t plainly visible or explained. You only learn about them right before you check out online and they show up in your shopping cart—or when you call the company to place your order directly.

Here are the top ones to look out for: 

• Activation fees

These sometimes are used interchangeably with “installation fees” and typically will run between $25-$100 if the company charges them.

• Cancellation fees

Sometimes, your budget or circumstances mean you no longer want or need a medical alert system. That’s why it’s good to know if you can cancel your service at any time and whether you’ll be charged a penalty if you do.

• Shipping fees

Many vendors will cover the costs of shipping your equipment. Others might add a flat one-time fee or charge you based on where you live, how much the box weighs, and what carrier they use.

Cost comparison by medical alert system type

Researching and comparing all the possible companies and products can feel overwhelming. To give you a sense of the average costs of medical alert systems in 2025, we did some legwork for you. The following charts use data we gathered to inform our Best Medical Alert Systems review.

Table 1: Home-based systems*

* Figures based on land-line options. Cellular / Wi-Fi options may cost more.

Table 2: Mobile (on-the-go) systems

 Ways to save on medical alert systems

It’s easy to see how the price tag for your medical alert system can add up quickly. But there are ways to lower the overall cost, Krisher pointed out.

Start by checking around for discounts through your local senior center or an affinity group. For example, if you’re eligible for military veterans benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers free or low-cost personal emergency response systems. And membership organizations like AARP often negotiate for lower prices and “senior” discounts you can apply toward your purchase.

“It never hurts to ask,” Krisher said.

Here are a few other ideas that might help reduce the cost of a medical alert system:

Health and long-term care policies

Does insurance cover medical alert systems? Maybe. Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) does not. But some other plans might, including:

• Medicare Advantage

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits that can include medical alert systems coverage. It depends on the insurance provider and plan, however.

• Long-term care policies

Long-term care insurance often will pay for all or part of a qualifying medical alert system. Again, it depends on the plan and there may be a waiting period for benefits.

If you don’t see this coverage listed in your plan documents, reach out to your insurance broker or plan administrator. Ask whether and how much medical alert system coverage you have and how long that coverage lasts. You may also need to provide a medical reason for your device, as well as a doctor’s note.

Bundle options and family plans

It’s possible to save money on a device by bundling a few products together. This works well if you have a household member who also needs or wants to use a medical alert system—or if you want both an in-home unit and an on-the-go system.

Special promotions

Like most consumer product companies, medical alert system vendors will offer sales and incentive programs. For instance, you might get your equipment for free if you’re a first-time customer. And it can pay to hold out for special holiday promotions around New Year’s, Mother’s and Father’s Days, Memorial Day, and others. These promos often offer discounts on monthly fees and equipment.

The bottom line

When budgeting for your medical alert system, take into consideration all up-front and recurring costs. These include the price of the equipment, any installation charges, required monthly monitoring fees, optional warranty or product protection plans, and periodic upgrades. And beware of hidden costs like “activation fees,” cancelation penalties, and even shipping charges—all of which can increase your total price tag.

Many companies also offer an impressive list of features and accessories, each at additional cost. Taken individually, these add-ons may only run a few dollars per month; but those dollars can add up quickly when you choose a lot of them. Evaluate “needs” versus “wants” and pick only the features that are vital to you. For instance, not everyone nor their caretaker(s) needs to monitor the air quality of their living space or requires a device that can go in the shower.

Ask about wrapping your total costs together and spreading them out over a monthly payment plan. Many companies will do this for you and may even offer a small discount if you’re willing to pay quarterly or annually up front. And speaking of discounts: watch for seasonal sales, promotional incentives, and other opportunities to lower the cost of your medical alert system.

Finally—while this isn’t always possible—plan ahead if you can. Setting aside an emergency cash fund now can help pay for a medical alert system in the future if you need one. If you have the opportunity to contribute to a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you may be able to use these pre-tax dollars toward a system (eligibility rules vary). And many long-term care insurance policies offer coverage for medical alert systems, too, but there’s a waiting period to use the benefit.

FAQ

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.