Are Life Alert Costs Covered by Medicare?

For seniors, the fear of falling is a daily concern. And with good reason—according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds, and 2017 CDC data showed seniors dying from falls every 20 seconds. 

Of course, the consequences of falls can be catastrophic: loss of independence, staggering medical bills, and, in the worst cases, death. It’s no wonder that so many seniors are turning to life alert systems for the peace of mind and protection they provide.

But there’s a problem. While these devices can be lifesaving, they don’t come cheap. With costs ranging from $20 to over $50 per month, plus equipment and activation fees, many seniors on fixed incomes struggle to afford this vital protection. The big question on their minds: are life alert costs covered by Medicare?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no—it depends on your Medicare plan. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Medicare coverage for life alert systems. We’ll also explore a variety of other ways you may be able to get your hands on a life-alert device for free or at a reduced cost, as well as the best medical alert systems you can choose from.

Does Medicare Cover Life Alert Systems? 

Unfortunately, if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you’re out of luck. Parts A and B do not cover the cost of life alert systems. These plans consider life alert devices to be non-medical equipment and therefore, exclude them from coverage. So, if you only have Original Medicare, you’ll need to find another way to pay for your life alert system.

There’s better news if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan called Part C. Private insurers offer these plans as an alternative to Original Medicare, and they can choose to include additional benefits beyond what Parts A and B cover. Some Medicare Advantage plans do provide coverage for life alert systems.

However, it’s important to note that not all Medicare Advantage plans include life alert coverage, and those that do may have certain limitations or requirements, such as:

• Only covering certain approved life alert brands or models.
• Requiring a doctor’s recommendation or a qualifying medical condition.
• Limiting coverage to a set dollar amount or number of months.
• Requiring you to use an in-network supplier for your life alert device.

How to Check Your Coverage

So, how can you find out if your specific Medicare Advantage plan will help pay for that Humana life alert system you’ve been eyeing? Here are a few steps you can take:

• Review your plan’s Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage documents. Look for mentions of “personal emergency response system” or similar terms.
• Check your plan’s website or contact customer service. They can tell you whether life alert systems are covered and under what conditions.
• Talk to your doctor. If your plan requires a medical necessity determination, your doctor must be involved in the process.

If you find that your Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t cover life alerts, don’t despair. You still have plenty of other options for getting a system at a more affordable price.

How Medicaid Coverage of Life Alerts Works

What about Medicaid? This joint federal and state program provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Sometimes, Medicaid will cover the cost of a life alert system when Medicare won’t.

Medicaid benefits and eligibility vary quite a bit from state to state. Some states’ Medicaid programs cover life alert systems (Personal Emergency Response Services, or PERS in Medicaid jargon) under their Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. These waivers allow states to offer additional benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live at home or in the community rather than in institutional settings like nursing homes.

If you meet your state’s Medicaid eligibility criteria and qualify for HCBS waiver services, your life alert system may be covered at little to no cost. However, not every state offers this coverage. 

How to Get a Free VA Life Alert System

If you’re a veteran, you can get a life alert system for free through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA provides medical alert devices to eligible veterans at no cost, including popular brands like MedEquip Alert and Latitude Mobile Alert, according to Medical Alert.org.

To see if you qualify for a free life alert through the VA, follow these steps:

1. Visit your local VA medical center or outpatient clinic.
2. Inform your VA health care provider that you need a medical alert system.
3. Your provider will assess whether you meet the VA’s eligibility criteria for the device.
4. If approved, the VA will order the life alert system for you and cover all associated costs.

Keep in mind that veterans who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities usually won’t qualify for a free VA life alert. And while Tricare for Life, the VA’s Medicare supplement, covers many additional benefits, it likely won’t cover life alert systems. 

Long-Term Care Insurance

If you have long-term care insurance, it’s worth checking to see if it covers a life alert system. These policies help pay for services not covered by regular health insurance, including personal care assistance at home or in a facility.

To see if your long-term care policy covers life alerts, you can:

• Review the policy’s summary of benefits or coverage documents for mentions of “personal emergency response systems” or similar language.
• Contact your insurance company directly to ask about life alert coverage.
• Ask your insurance agent to help you review your policy’s benefits.

Be aware that even if your policy does cover life-alert systems, there may be certain restrictions or limitations. For instance, the coverage may only apply to at-home use (not mobile alerts) or exclude fees for shipping, activation, or service warranties. Make sure to get the full details from your insurer.

AARP Member Discounts for Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

AARP, the influential advocacy group for Americans aged 50 and over, offers its members discounts on select life alert systems. While AARP doesn’t endorse any one medical alert company, it does negotiate special rates with a few leading brands.

AARP members can save 15% on monthly service fees for the Philips Lifeline medical alert system. This adds up to $48 in annual savings. You’ll also get free shipping and activation when you sign up.

If you choose the Lively Mobile Plus system, AARP membership gets you a $60 per year discount on the system’s Preferred and Ultimate monitoring plans. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase the Lively device separately first, then you can sign up for the discounted monitoring.

Lower-Cost Life Alert Alternatives

If the prices of the most well-known life-alert brands like the Humana Life Alert are still too steep, you’ve got other options for more affordable protection. Here are a few lower-cost alternatives to consider:

Unmonitored Systems

These systems don’t connect to a 24/7 emergency call center. Instead, they typically allow you to preprogram the phone numbers of family, friends, or neighbors to call for help when needed. Without the monthly monitoring fees, you just pay a one-time equipment cost of around $100-$300. Popular models include the LogicMark Freedom Alert and Assistive Technology Services (ATS) Alert Dialer.

The trade-off is that unmonitored systems rely on your contacts to answer the call and take action rather than a dedicated emergency response team. They also may not include automatic fall detection or GPS location tracking. Still, for those on a tight budget, they can be a lifesaving option.

Add-Ons for Smartphones & Smartwatches

Several smart devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and smart speakers, include safety features like fall detection and emergency calling at no extra cost. For example, the Apple Watch Series 4 and later can automatically call emergency services if it detects a fall and no movement for a minute. At the same time, Alexa smart speakers have an “Alexa, call for help” command to alert a designated contact.

Discount Medical Alert Brands

A number of lesser-known companies offer medical alert systems with prices that substantially undercut household names like Life Alert and Philips Lifeline. Often, you can get set up with equipment and monitoring for under $30 a month. Popular low-cost providers include:

• MobileHelp
• Bay Alarm Medical  
• AlertOne
• LifeFone

While you may sacrifice a bit regarding brand reputation and longevity, these companies still provide reliable monitoring and equipment at prices that are more comfortable for a fixed income. Many also offer features similar to those of pricier systems, like automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and spouse coverage.

When choosing a life alert system, be sure to consider your needs, compare costs, research company reputation, consult with others, and take advantage of free trials.

Investing in Your Safety with Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

The decision of whether to get a life alert system is a highly personal one that must balance many factors, including your health, living situation, support system, and financial resources. For many seniors and their families, the peace of mind and protection these devices provide is worth every penny.

Consider this: the average cost of a life alert system ranges from $20 to $50 per month or $240 to $600 per year. By comparison, the average hospital cost for a fall injury is over $30,000. Beyond the financial impact, falls can also dramatically reduce independence and quality of life for seniors. So, while life alert systems aren’t cheap, they’re a smart investment that can pay for themselves many times over by preventing a single serious fall or health crisis.
Still have questions about how to choose or pay for a life alert system? Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging for personalized guidance and additional resources. And for more articles on senior health, lifestyle, and finances, keep exploring everything Boomer Nation has to offer.