Medical Alert System Cost: Monthly Fees, Fall Detection, and Contract Traps

“Mom lives alone and I worry about a fall when nobody’s there. What does a fall alarm actually cost per month?”

What you pay for

• Monthly monitoring. The fee for the 24/7 call center that answers when the button is pressed. It’s the biggest long-term cost.
• Equipment. An in-home base unit, a wearable button (pendant or wristband), or a mobile device with cellular service and GPS. Some companies include the equipment in the monthly fee; others charge for it up front.
• Activation or setup fees. A one-time charge at some companies, none at others. Ask before you order.
• Add-ons. Fall detection, extra buttons, wall buttons, lockboxes for responders, or caregiver apps — each may carry its own monthly charge.

Published monthly prices (consumer prices)

Prices are from comparison testing published in October 2026 and change often. Check the company’s current price page and get the full first-year cost in writing.

The services you’ll see most

The market includes Medical Alert, LifeFone, Medical Guardian, and Lively, among others. They differ in in-home versus mobile devices, cellular versus landline service, fall-detection pricing, and contract terms. Compare them on the same four lines: monthly monitoring, equipment cost, activation fee, and cancellation terms.

How fall detection works

A fall-detection pendant or watch has motion sensors that are designed to place a call to the monitoring center automatically when they register a motion pattern that looks like a fall. The person doesn’t have to press the button. That’s the feature you pay the add-on for. It measures motion, not health, and it doesn’t catch every fall (see below).

Honest Downsides

• Fall detection is not perfect. No system detects every fall. A slow slide to the floor may not register, and ordinary movements sometimes trigger false alarms. Wearers should still press the button whenever they can.
• Contract traps. Some providers require multi-year agreements, and some plans auto-renew. Before signing, ask: Is there a contract term? What does it cost to cancel? Is there a trial period? Do I have to return the equipment, and who pays shipping?
• Monthly fees add up. A low monthly price with paid equipment, a setup fee, and a fall-detection add-on can cost more in year one than a higher all-in monthly price. Compare first-year totals, not headline prices.
• In-home units have limited range. A base-station system only works within range of the base, usually inside the home and close outside it. For walks, errands, or the garden, a mobile device with cellular service is a different product at a different price.
• Coverage depends on the cellular signal. Cellular units need a signal where the person actually spends time. Ask whether the company will check coverage at your address.
• It only works if it’s worn. A pendant on the nightstand can’t place a call from the bathroom floor. Waterproof pendants matter, because bathrooms are where many people take them off.

Rule of thumb: price it as a subscription, not a gadget. Multiply the monthly fee, plus any add-ons, by twelve, then add equipment and activation. Choose the plan with no long contract unless the savings are spelled out in writing.

The fall detection cost guide covers the add-on in detail.