A medical alert system costs $20 to $100 per month in 2026
A medical alert system costs $20 to $100 per month in 2026. NCOA says fees start around $20 and can reach $60 or more, with an average of about $40. The Senior List shows $25 to $65 a month for monitoring. BestCompany lists $20 to $100. Fall detection adds about $10 to $15 a month. Equipment may cost $0 to $200.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| NCOA | NCOA says monthly fees start around $20 and go to $60 or more, with an average of $40 a month, fall detection at $10 to $11 more, and equipment at $0 to $200. |
| The Senior List | The Senior List says professional monitoring typically costs $25 to $65 a month, in-home systems $20 to $50, mobile systems $24.95 to $60, and fall detection $10 to $15 extra. |
| BestCompany | BestCompany says monthly subscriptions run $20 to $100, mobile systems about $40, fall detection about $10, and setup or equipment fees from around $100 to $199.95. |
Medical alert price by type
| Type or plan | Price per month | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average system | $40 | NCOA |
| In-home system | $20 to $50 | The Senior List |
| Mobile GPS system | $24.95 to $60 | The Senior List |
| Bay Alarm Medical, home | $24.95 to $39.95 | NCOA |
| Bay Alarm Medical, mobile | $29.95 to $54.95 | NCOA |
| Medical Guardian, mobile | $36.95 to $46.95 | NCOA |
| Medical Alert Home Landline | $19.95 | BestCompany |
| Fall detection add-on | $10 to $15 | The Senior List |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Home or mobile | The Senior List lists in-home systems at $20 to $50 a month and mobile systems at $24.95 to $60. Mobile units use GPS and cost more. |
| Fall detection | The Senior List lists fall detection at $10 to $15 extra a month. NCOA lists it at $10 to $11 across most providers. |
| Landline or cellular | The Senior List says landline systems are typically $5 to $10 a month cheaper than cellular ones. |
| Equipment fees | NCOA lists equipment at $0 to $200, paid once or spread out. BestCompany lists $99.95 to $199.95 for some devices. |
| Brand and plan | NCOA lists Bay Alarm Medical home plans at $24.95 to $39.95 and Medical Guardian mobile plans at $36.95 to $46.95. |
What the price includes
The monthly fee usually pays for 24 hour monitoring and a button you wear. Many companies include the base unit. Equipment fees, activation, fall detection, and device protection may cost extra. BestCompany lists setup at around $100 and device protection at $10 or more a month. Ask for the full monthly total. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Original Medicare usually does not pay for a medical alert system. Some Medicare Advantage plans and some state Medicaid programs may help, and a few long-term care policies may too. Rules differ by plan and by state. Call your plan and ask if a medical alert system is covered. Ask which companies it works with. If you pay yourself, the monthly fee is the main cost, so compare plans before you sign. Also ask whether the plan lets you cancel at any time.
When you need this
A medical alert system helps if you live alone, have fallen before, or have a health problem that can cause a sudden emergency. It can also give peace of mind to family. If you often leave the house, a mobile unit with GPS may fit better. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the full monthly total with every add-on.
- Ask if there is an equipment, setup, or activation fee.
- Ask if there is a contract and what it costs to cancel.
- Ask if fall detection and the mobile GPS are in the price.
- Compare the total with the range above: $20 to $100 per month for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose an in-home system if you rarely leave the house. The Senior List lists these at $20 to $50 a month against $24.95 to $60 for mobile.
- Look for no equipment fee. The Senior List says Bay Alarm Medical starts at $27.95 a month with no equipment fees.
- Add only the features you need. Fall detection adds $10 to $15 a month, and device protection adds $10 or more.
- Ask about paying yearly. The Senior List says Medical Guardian starts at $27.95 a month when billed annually.
- Compare three companies. NCOA shows home plans from $24.95 to $49.95 for MobileHelp and $27.95 to $31.95 for Medical Guardian.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from NCOA, The Senior List and BestCompany. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a medical alert system cost per month?
It runs $20 to $100 a month in 2026. NCOA puts the average at about $40. The Senior List shows $25 to $65 for monitoring.
Does fall detection cost extra?
Yes. The Senior List lists fall detection at $10 to $15 more per month. NCOA lists $10 to $11 across most providers.
Are mobile systems more than home systems?
Usually. The Senior List lists in-home systems at $20 to $50 and mobile systems at $24.95 to $60 a month.
Are there equipment fees?
Sometimes. NCOA lists equipment at $0 to $200. BestCompany lists programming or equipment fees of $99.95 to $199.95 for some devices.
Which brands cost the least?
The Senior List says Bay Alarm Medical starts at $27.95 a month with no equipment fee, and MobileHelp and Lively start under $26. Check current prices.