Medical Guardian Vs. Medical Care Alert
Medical Guardian Vs. Medical Care Alert
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If you’re planning to live at home as you age, you may be wondering how to stay safe while you do so.
A medical alert system can provide the assurance and peace of mind to make you feel safer living at home. If you need emergency help, simply press the button to be connected to a monitoring center employee, who can get you the help you need.
Some devices even include fall detection, which automatically sends a signal if it detects a fall.
However, with so many choices on the market today, it can be tough to separate the good brands from the bad. So which brand is the winner? We’ve put together this article to compare Medical Guardian versus Medical Care Alert and make it easier for you to make your purchase decision.
Key Takeaways
- Medical Guardian gets mixed reviews from customers, while Medical Care Alert’s ratings are higher on average.
- Medical Care Alert offers a smaller device and features selection than Medical Guardian.
- Neither brand requires long-term contracts, but Medical Guardian does require a one-time equipment fee for some of its devices.
Medical Guardian vs. Medical Care Alert Comparison
| Costs and Features | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Up-Front Equipment Fee | Medical Guardian | Yes, with some devices | Medical Care Alert | No |
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| Monthly Cost | Medical Guardian | Starts at $27.45 per month | Medical Care Alert | Starts at $29.95 per month |
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| Activation Fee | Medical Guardian | No | Medical Care Alert | No |
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| Contract | Medical Guardian | Month-to-month | Medical Care Alert | Month-to-month |
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| Add-On Services | Medical Guardian | Yes several | Medical Care Alert | Yes (only fall detection) |
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| Connection | Medical Guardian | Landline, cellular | Medical Care Alert | Landline, cellular |
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| Wall Mount Buttons | Medical Guardian | Yes | Medical Care Alert | Yes |
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| Two-Way Communication | Medical Guardian | Yes | Medical Care Alert | Yes |
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| Battery Life | Medical Guardian | Mobile systems can last up to 5 days on a single charge | Medical Care Alert | Mobile systems can last up to 3 days on a single charge |
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| Water Resistance | Medical Guardian | Yes | Medical Care Alert | Yes |
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| Fall Detection | Medical Guardian | Yes, optional | Medical Care Alert | Yes, optional |
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| GPS Locator | Medical Guardian | Yes, with mobile systems | Medical Care Alert | Yes, with mobile systems |
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| Call Center Hours | Medical Guardian | 24/7 | Medical Care Alert | 24/7 |
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Medical Guardian Overview
Medical Guardian offers up lots of flexibility by offering both in-home and on-the-go devices with several options for customization.
The brand also offers options for caregivers looking for reliable devices for seniors who need extra attention or supervision.
There are even options for active seniors.
What Are The Costs Associated With Medical Guardian?
Plans are billed quarterly, monthly, or annually and start at $27.45 per month for the Classic Guardian plan for in-home use.
Each annual subscription includes a free lockbox.
Two device plans require an additional one-time equipment fee: the Mini Guardian and the Freedom Guardian Smartwatch.
There are also various add-on costs for features like:
- Protection plan ($6.99 per month), which includes extra support and equipment replacement.
- Alert 911 ($9.99 per month) is a one-button speaker box that allows users to connect directly with a local 911 response center.
- OnGuard Alert ($2.99 per month), which notifies your contacts via email and text message if there’s an emergency.
- Step-Up ($5 per month) is a messaging app that allows loved ones in a care circle to stay in touch.
- Fall detection ($10 per month) adds fall detection to an existing device (not available with all devices).
- Wireless wall button ($2.99 per month) activates an emergency call.
- Voice-activated wall button ($4.99 per month) activates an emergency call with your voice.
Pros And Cons Of Medical Guardian
Pros
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Buttons are water-resistant, including wall buttons to use in common fall areas like a slippery bathroom.
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Medical Guardian response center has TMA Five Diamond Certification.
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Uses landline, Wi-Fi, 4G, LTE and GPS connections
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Consistently high ratings from consumers, including an A+ Better Business Bureau rating
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No activation fees
Cons
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Add-on costs can add up quickly. Fall detection is an extra $10 per month and is not included with any plan.
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Some devices require a one-time equipment fee.
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Restocking fees may apply when canceling your plan.
See our full Medical Guardian Review.
Different Plans and Systems from Medical Guardian
Classic Guardian is an in-home system for those with a landline connection, which is ideal for areas without a reliable cellular network connection. It offers a range of 1,300 feet and includes access to the MyGuardian caregiver app.
Home 2.0 is a home system that offers a range of 1,400 feet. It also includes a necklace or wristband help button and works with LTE and Wi-Fi. It also provides access to the MyGuardian caregiver tool.
MGMove Smartwatch is a smart wristwatch designed for active seniors that allows them to stay connected to loved ones and also be able to connect with a certified monitoring center in case of emergency.
Mobile 2.0: This plan includes a clip-on device and a wearable pendant or bracelet button. It has a five-day battery life and a water-resistant design. It also includes advanced location monitoring and access to MyGuardian, a handy tool for caregivers.
Mini Guardian is a lightweight, compact pendant device with a single easy-to-use button and advanced location tracking. It has a five-day battery life and a water-resistant design.
Medical Care Alert Overview
Medical Care Alert offers two basic medical alert systems. Like Medical Guardian, the brand offers a dedicated monitoring and response center. Medical Care Alert is a good choice if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by options.
EMT/EMD certified agents answer calls, and the monitoring center is operational 24/7.
What Costs Are Associated With Medical Care Alert?
Two main systems are available from Medical Care Alert.
The in-home system starts at $29.95 per month, and the mobile system starts at $39.95 per month. The plans come with a free lockbox and shipping is free.
If you decide on annual billing, you also get one month free. You can pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
For the in-home system, the cellular connection plan is an extra $5 per month. Fall detection is another additional $10 per month. A protection plan is also available for an extra $5 per month.
Pros And Cons Of Medical Care Alert
Pros
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No up-front equipment costs
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Option to pay annually, monthly, and more
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EMT/EMD certified call center employees
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Both landline and cellular options available
Cons
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Only two system options
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No smart tech devices available
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Fall detection is an additional $10
See our full Medical Care Alert Review.
Different Plans and Models of Medical Care Alert
Home Landline: The home landline system includes a base station and shower-safe button with a range of up to 1,000 feet. You can choose between a wrist or pendant button-style.
Home (4G LTE): Medical Care Alert offers this in-home system with a 4G LTE connection for those without a landline.
Home & Away: This system includes a shower-safe GPS pendant that offers two-way communication. It also provides notifications to caregivers via a free smartphone app called RemoteCare 24/7.
Similarities and Differences Between Medical Care Alert and Medical Guardian
Main Similarities
- Both offer 24/7 monitoring
- Both offer in-home and mobile medical alert systems
- Neither require long-term contracts
- Both offer optional fall detection
- Both offer caregiver monitoring tools
- Both offer water-resistant help buttons
Main Differences
- Some Medical Guardian devices come with up-front device costs.
- Medical Guardian offers more customization offers and add-on features.
- Medical Care Alert only has two plans available.
- Medical Care Alert offers a free lockbox with any of its plans.
What Customers Are Saying About Both Brands
Medical Guardian has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the brand has a 1.3-star rating on Trustpilot.
“Fortunately, we never actually had an emergency so I can not review the actual service.
However, returning the equipment is a nightmare, as one other reviewer has stated. This company preys on the elderly who have fixed incomes and need this service.
My dad was in the hospital and moved to a nursing home. He did not need the service anymore. He had not even used the equipment in months. I am surprised and disappointed that the company did not notice the equipment was not being used. I was never alerted. But when the year was up, we were automatically charged $500.
When we called to cancel the service, the day after we were charged, I was given a case number and I was instructed to return the equipment. I was told the account was canceled and that the charge would be prorated. I was also told that a portion of the money would be returned once we returned the equipment.
We followed all the return instructions and tracked the package until it was scanned at the return address. Medical Guardian insists they did not receive the package and will not return any money and they have not canceled our account.
We have called several times to follow up and every time we talk to someone we get a different answer. Unfortunately, the tracking number and receipt were discarded after we saw the package arrived. At this point, Medical Guardian is not canceling our account and they are not returning any money.
This company is awful! Do not invest.”Durso, Trustpilot
“I had read mixed reviews of this company, so I was somewhat skeptical. I had an extensive spinal fusion in May of this year and was looking for a system as I live alone. From the first call, they were very courteous and professional. They explained the pricing structure very clearly, and all of the equipment arrived promptly and was easy to set up. I ended up doing several false alarms as I accidentally hit a wall button or my locket, but they were always polite about it & just promptly reset the main unit. I would like to mention 2 outstanding customer support individuals: Katrina in the cancellation department. My friend was going to cancel me as she was paying less than I was. However, Katrina explained the reason and then credited me for a much more expensive unit that I really didn’t need and gave me the same pricing deal that my friend had. This covered a base unit, a wrist monitor, a locket monitor, and 2 wall buttons. She was extremely helpful and honest. Jamil in the cancellation department. I was walking well & without my back brace around my home, so I called to return my equipment. I had been somewhat anxious about that as I still have to go through PT for my recovery as well as experiencing a knee that needs to be replaced and is not providing good support for walking. Jamil explained that I could have 2 free months to see how the PT was going to help and exactly when I would start being rebilled again. I appreciated his explaining that option which buys me another 2 months of support but I know when I need to cancel should I continue to do well. I trust this company as they have always been transparent and upfront about the cost and what services would be provided on that plan.”
Jaydine Munsey, Trustpilot
Medical Care Alert has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It also has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot. However, it’s important to note that it has fewer overall customer reviews than Medical Guardian.
“My siblings and I bought the Alert system for our mother for our own peace of mind. My mother is very conservative and would never have purchased it for herself even though she lives alone. I tested it myself in and around the house when we got it and was very pleased in its coverage. Medical Alert regularly check to see it is operational and recently replaced the entire system because they were not satisfied with its performance. We did not detect any problems at all. The system does what we wanted in that we know our mother will be able to get any needed assistance should she need it by pushing a button on her necklace.”
Laning, Trustpilot
“They’re very nice and helpful. This is all new to me and walked me through step by step to explain everything. I can always get a hold of someone, very nice and easy to deal with.”
Kim, Trustpilot
Bottom Line
Choosing the right medical alert system for your or your loved one isn’t a simple decision. The wrong choice may even have deadly consequences.
While no medical alert system can guarantee nothing bad will ever happen, knowing you’re buying a quality system can provide priceless peace of mind.
While Medical Guardian and Medical Care Alert have solid reputations and customer reviews, we prefer Medical Guardian for its varied product offerings and smart tech options.
Medical Care Alert is a good option for those who prefer not to pay a high up-front device cost. Keep in mind that when you pay this fee, you own the device, which has its benefits.
Also, the brand is a good choice for people who want a simple choice between an in-home or mobile system.
Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review
You deserve the best products for a better quality of life. We strive to create honest, helpful reviews backed by firsthand shopping, testing, and research. Our content is medically reviewed and unbiased to help you choose the right medical alert system for you or your loved one.
From over 1,000 hours of research, we chose 11 of the top brands that we believe are the best medical alert systems. We did the following throughout our research process:
- Consulted with geriatricians and adult caregivers
- Mystery shopped the brands
- Surveyed medical alert system users
- Tested various medical alert systems
- Interviewed experts in the field
- Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
FAQs
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Medical Guardian has a partnership with AT&T.
*Pricing is accurate as of April 15, 2022.
Our Comparisons Of Medical Alert Systems
- Life Alert vs Medical Guardian
- Medical Alert vs Medical Guardian
- Lively vs Medical Alert
- Life Alert vs Medical Alert
- Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical
Other Medical Alert Systems That We Have Reviewed
- Medical Guardian Review
- MobileHelp Review
- Bay Alarm Medical Review
- Aloe Care Health Review
- LifeFone Review
- Life Alert Review
- GreatCall Lively Mobile Review
- Medical Alert Review
- GetSafe Review
- Philips Lifeline Review
- Rescue Alert Review
- ADT Medical Alert Review
- Alert1 Review
- UnaliWear Review
- MobileHelp Smart Watch Review
- Apple Watch Medical Alert Review
WRITTEN BY
Steph Coelho is a freelance writer and editor. In addition to nearly a decade spent writing and editing the written word, Steph also has experience working with and creating recreation programs for older adults.
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