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A medical alert system can give older adults who live alone an important sense of safety and security. Should they fall or become suddenly ill, they can push a button on a small, wearable device to connect to a call center agent for emergency help.
Medical alert systems can cost more than $100 and require monthly subscription fees from $20 to $55, plus more for additional services like automatic fall detection. According to a recent Forbes Health survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by OnePoll, 54% of users surveyed spend between $21 and $40 a month on their medical alert system service.
Medicare doesn’t cover medical alert systems, but there are other ways to reduce or eliminate the cost.
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Why Doesn't Medicare Cover Medical Alert Devices?
Medical alert systems (including watches, bracelets and necklaces) like Life Alert, Medical Guardian and others can be critical to the health of older adults, so why doesn’t Medicare cover them? Because they don’t fit Medicare’s definition of “durable medical equipment,” says Casey Schwarz, an attorney at Medicare Rights, a national nonprofit dedicated to making sure older adults get full access to Medicare benefits.
“Federal law defines what Medicare pays for,” she says. “And since they are not medical devices, they’re not part of the medical benefit.” She compares them to items like home wheelchair ramps, which are essential for mobility but aren’t medically necessary.
When you enroll in Medicare, you’re automatically covered by Part A, which includes hospital care, skilled nursing facility costs, hospice, lab tests, surgery and home health care. Part B is optional and costs $164.90 a month in 2023 for most people. It’s typically deducted from your monthly Social Security benefit. Part B covers services deemed medically necessary for diagnosing or treating a medical condition and medical equipment like canes, oxygen tanks and blood sugar test strips.
Medicare coverage can change, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic when telehealth proved essential in keeping patients connected with their physicians and care team. However, the services covered changed—not the devices through which patients received those services, explains Schwarz. “Medical alert systems, like iPads [used to connect to telehealth services], are not covered by Medicare,” she says.
Does Medicare Advantage (Part C) Cover Medical Alert Systems?
If you’re interested in a medical alert system for yourself or a family member, consider health insurance coverage through another part of Medicare called Part C, or Medicare Advantage plans. These are plans offered by major private health insurance companies approved by Medicare. For a monthly premium, they provide the same Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, plus other benefits, such as vision, dental and over-the-counter medications.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover medical alert systems, also referred to as personal emergency response systems (PERS). Medicare Advantage plans vary from state to state, so check if medical alert systems are covered by plans where you live.
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Does Medicaid Cover Medical Alert Systems?
Some older adults eligible for Medicaid insurance might find they have coverage for medical alert systems. Medicaid is a federal program administered by individual states, and eligibility depends on your income and assets.
“There are different programs within Medicaid that serve different populations and offer waivers that are flexible in terms of what is covered,” says Schwarz. “Folks who require a nursing home level of care may have medical alert devices paid for,” she says.
Medicaid’s Home and Community Based Services (HBCBS) program, for instance, offers waivers to older people who wish to receive long-term care services at home rather than in an institution. (A waiver is an exception to a Medicaid eligibility requirement.) Some states do cover personal emergency response systems through this program.
Alternative Ways to Pay for Medical Alert Systems
There are several ways consumers can pay less for a medical alert system, and people who already participate in programs like health savings accounts may be covered for both the device and plan. Here are some payment assistance options to consider.
Manufacturer Discounts
From time to time, medical alert system companies waive shipping fees or offer discounts for bundling products or paying for months of service in advance. When comparing systems, always call or check online for such discounts before making a purchase.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Health savings accounts allow you to save money before it’s taxed and use it for qualified medical expenses exclusively.
Do medical alert systems qualify? The IRS uses a list of allowable medical deductions to determine what expenses are covered under an HSA. An item called “medical information plans” is an allowable deduction. Since many medical alert systems keep digitized records of its customers’ health, they can be considered an allowable medical tax deduction and, therefore, an allowable expense for an HSA.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is a way to pay for medical expenses, such as a home care aide or nursing home costs, without wiping out retirement savings—and it often covers medical alert systems. Check your long-term care insurance policy to see how much of the costs can be reimbursed.
Can You Get Medical Alert Systems for Free?
While it’s possible to get a medical alert system for free or at a reduced cost, whether those options are available to you depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage and financial situation.
If you have health insurance, there’s a chance your medical alert system may be covered. While Medicare Part A and Part B won’t cover a medical alert system (unless it’s deemed medically necessary by your doctor), some private insurance policies may, though options are limited. If your insurance company won’t cover your device, chances are it may at least be tax deductible if it’s listed as a medically necessary device or prescribed by your doctor.
Other resources that may help with securing financial coverage for your medical alert system include Medicaid (via Home and Community Based Services or the Money Follows the Individual programs), veteran services, local Area Agency on Aging groups and AARP.
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Money-Savings Tips for Medical Alert Systems
Are you a veteran? “Check out the Veterans Direct Care program, which may provide cash assistance that you could use for home safety,” says Schwarz.
Meanwhile, PACE, or Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a Medicare and Medicaid program for people 55 and older who wish to stay in their communities, and it offers an alternative way to access doctors at a nursing home level of care. This program is flexible in coverage criteria, explains Schwarz, so medical alert systems may be covered. Just know it’s not available in every state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Medicare cover the cost of Life Alert devices?
Medicare does not cover medical alert systems like Life Alert; however, if a device is prescribed as medically necessary by your doctor, you may receive a discount or coverage.
How much does Life Alert cost?
A basic Life Alert system can be purchased for $49.95 a month, with an installation cost of $198. GPS monitoring and bathroom monitoring can be added for a separate cost of $20 per month, and a bundled system, which includes GPS and bathroom monitoring, costs $89.95 per month.
Does insurance cover medical alert systems?
Many private insurance companies do not cover medical alert systems. Speak with your insurance provider and review your plan details to determine if medical alert systems are included in your coverage.
What is the monthly cost of a medical alert system?
The monthly cost of a medical alert system varies based on the company you choose to purchase from and which features you choose to purchase. Most services cost $15 to $60 per month; however, installation and additional costs for add-on features, such as GPS tracking and additional buttons, may apply.
Do all medical alert systems have a monthly fee?
As most medical alert systems work with a monitoring center to track any emergency events that might occur, a monthly fee is typically required for this connectivity and the call center’s services.
