How Bay Alarm Medical Compares to Other Top Medical Alert Systems

Bay Alarm Medical is our top pick for the “Best Customer Service & Pricing Plans” for medical alert systems and is one of our overall top picks out of 23 companies reviewed. It particularly excelled in the “Reliability and Reputation” category, which measures the company qualities that impact the customer experience.

Medical alert systems are only as good as the customer support and monitoring center that backs them. Bay Alarm Medical works with a USA-based monitoring network of reliable emergency response centers. With an average response of 10 seconds, Bay Alarm Medical has the fastest response times out of all companies we reviewed. Bay Alarm Medical also scored highly in this category thanks to its generous 30-day free trial period, easy-to-navigate website with a live customer service chat feature, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The company also gets our recommendation for having the most affordable and flexible pricing plans. Bay Alarm Medical’s pricing starts at $19.95 per month for the basic In-Home Landline package with zero equipment cost. Meanwhile, the Mobile GPS Help Button starts at $29.95 per month with a one-time fee of $99, which is more affordable than comparable products from other companies.

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Pros and Cons of Bay Alarm Medical Medical Alert Systems

Pros:

  • Average monitoring center response time of 10 seconds
  • Only company to offer in-car device
  • Committed to excellent customer service and experience
  • Caregiver portal with geofencing

Cons:

  • Mobile device must be purchased for a one-time fee of $99
  • No discounts available for longer payment periods

Bay Alarm Medical’s Plans

In-Home (Landline)
In-Home (Cellular)
On the Go
SOS Smartwatch
Monthly Cost
$19.95
$29.95
$29.95
$29.95
One-time fees
N/A
N/A
$99
$179
Type of Device
In-home system
In-home system
Mobile system
Mobile system
Connection
Landline
Cellular
Cellular
Cellular
Battery Life
32-hour backup
32-hour backup
3 days
24 hours
Water Resistant
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Shower-proof
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Range
1,000 feet
1,000 feet
N/A
N/A
Fall Detection
$10 a month
$10 a month
$10 a month
Not available

*Automatic crash detection is included

In-Home Systems

Pricing

Bay Alarm Medical offers two in-home devices, one that requires a landline connection and one that uses a cellular connection. The landline system is the least expensive Bay Alarm Medical device at $21.95 a month. The cellular system costs an additional $10 a month, bringing the monthly cost to $31.95. Fall detection is not included with either system, but can be added to one’s service plan for $10 a month.

Device Information

The two in-home systems are exactly the same, other than the connection type. Both systems include a base station with a range of 1,000 feet and a 32-hour backup battery, and one personal help button. The personal help button is completely waterproof, and may be worn around the neck or on a wristband. 

On the Go

bay alarm medical on the go medical alert system

Pricing

On-the-Go, a mobile system, costs $29.95 a month. Users must purchase their device for a one-time fee of $79. The On the Go device is then theirs to keep- they will not need to return the device to Bay Alarm Medical at the end of their service. Fall detection is available for an additional $10 a month.

Device Information

On-the-Go is an all-in-one portable device with a built-in two-way speaker and personal help button. It uses 4G-LTE cellular service to connect to the monitoring center, and includes GPS location tracking. The device can be worn around the neck or on a belt clip. On-the-Go has a battery life of up to 72 hours between charges, and is waterproof so it’s wearable in the rain or shower.

SOS Smartwatch

bay alarm medical SOS smartwatch

Pricing

The SOS Smartwatch is priced at $29.95 a month. Like with the On-the-Go device, users must purchase their SOS Smartwatch for a one-time fee of $179. The fee allows each user to keep their smartwatch permanently, rather than leasing the watch and eventually returning it. There are no additional startup fees for this device. 

Device Information

The SOS Smartwatch is an appealing alternative to traditional medical alert devices for active, independent seniors. The sleek device features a touch screen, a dedicated SOS button, and a built-in microphone – ensuring that it’s as easy for users to get in touch with an emergency dispatcher as with any traditional medical alert system. The smartwatch is IP67 water-resistant and comes with 4G LTE cellular service and GPS location tracking included in the monthly cost. The SOS smartwatch has a battery life that ranges from 6 to 18 hours depending on certain settings and connectivity.

Starting Costs and Contracts

Bay Alarm Medical does not charge any activation or installation fees. The only one-time fee that users of In the Home or On the Road must pay is shipping, which costs $9.95. On the Go and SOS Smartwatch users must also purchase their device for a one-time fee of $99 and $179, respectively. 

There are no long-term contracts required, and customers may cancel their service at any time. There is also a 30 day trial period during which users may return their device for a full refund.

Monitoring

Bay Alarm Medical partners with a completely U.S.-based monitoring company with call centers in Idaho and Utah. Both of the centers are UL-listed and CSAA Five Diamond Certified. According to the Bay Alarm Medical website, emergency calls are answered in 45 seconds or less, with an average response time of 10 seconds.

Upon signing up for the Bay Alarm Medical monitoring service, users will provide contact information for caregivers, family, or friends. When users call the monitoring center, operators will ask if they should call the user’s listed contacts or emergency services. If the caller cannot respond, emergency services will be dispatched automatically.

Caregiver Tools and Extra Features

Caregiver Tracking and Geofencing

The Caregiver Tracking portal allows caregivers or loved ones of users to view the user’s location on a map. Caregivers can also use this platform to set up geofencing, which automatically sends notifications via SMS or email if the user leaves a designated area. Access to Caregiver Tracking costs an additional $5.00 a month. 

Optional Devices

Bay Alarm Medical customers have the option of adding additional devices to their monthly plan, including:

  • Wall Buttons: Wall buttons can be placed anywhere in the home, and provide an extra layer of protection in high-risk areas (i.e., places where falls are likely to occur). Like personal help buttons, pressing a wall button will signal a call to the emergency monitoring center. Wall buttons are included with the Preferred and Premium protection packages for in-home devices. 
  • Additional Help Button: Users can purchase an extra personal help button for a one-time fee of $34.95. The extra button may be used by the person’s spouse or another person who lives in the same home under the same monitoring plan as the original user. In other words, there is no extra cost other than the button purchase fee for spousal monitoring. 
  • Auto Fall Detection: The Auto Fall Detection device is activated when there’s a sudden downward movement and followed by no movement at all. It has been optimized to reduce false alarms and has a battery life of up to 2 years. Auto Fall Detection is available as an add-on for In-Home and GPS Mobile system packages for $10.
  • Lockbox: Users can store a spare key to their home in a lockbox, which makes it easy for EMS to enter the home during an emergency. Lockboxes purchased from Bay Alarm Medical cost $30. 
  • Bella Charms: These charms can be added to one’s personal help button pendant for a more stylish appearance. The charms are currently available in four different patterns and cost $25 each or $90 for all four designs.
  • Vial of Life: The Vial of Life kit contains a medical information sheet that EMS can refer to during emergencies when users may be unable to speak for themselves. The Vial of Life kit includes an emergency medical information sheet, a plastic sleeve, and a magnetic strip. One kit is included free for new subscriptions and $8 for each additional kit.

Who Should Consider Bay Alarm Medical

Couples or Families

For a one-time fee of $34.95, Bay Alarm Medical users can add an extra help button to their in-home coverage. The button may be used by an existing user’s spouse or a family member who lives in the same home. This allows two users to receive coverage under one plan (for the same price as one person), and can save families a significant amount of money over the course of a year.

Stylish Older Adults

With its Bella Charms necklace pendants and sleek SOS Smartwatch, Bay Alarm Medical has two perfect options for those who want to maintain a stylish appearance. One of the reasons seniors don’t wear medical alert systems is because of the way they look, but with Bay Alarm Medical’s options, wearers can be protected during emergencies while still maintaining their aesthetics. 

Budget-Conscious Seniors

Both in-home and mobile devices from Bay Alarm Medical are priced much lower than many comparable devices from other companies. Customers who want to keep their monthly costs low will find that Bay Alarm Medical provides a high-quality product for a much lower price than many of its competitors.

Bay Alarm Medical Compared to Top Medical Alert Systems