MobileHelp Medical Alert Review

Most Affordable In-Home Cellular System

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, MobileHelp serves users ranging from 19 to 110 years old in all 50 states. In 2012, they were awarded the North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth Capital Investment Opportunity for their Duo device, which was the first fully integrated mobile medical alert device with GPS technology. According to the company’s website, MobileHelp assists someone with an emergency every 7.5 minutes. The company is FDA registered, FCC certified, and PTCRB certified.

MobileHelp offers five different options for standard in-home and portable medical alert systems, plus a unique device that includes a tablet for enhanced health and safety features. All of its systems are priced competitively for the medical alert industry, especially its in-home system, the MobileHelp Classic. The MobileHelp Classic costs just $19.95 a month including cellular service through AT&T’s network. The low base price coupled with the lack of an extra monthly fee for a cellular connection makes the MobileHelp Classic much more affordable than comparable in-home cellular systems.

Who MobileHelp Is Best For

Those Without a Landline

Unlike most other companies that charge an extra monthly fee for an in-home cellular connection, MobileHelp includes cellular service in its base price for one of its in-home devices. And still, the MobileHelp Classic is among the least expensive in-home systems available on the market today. Choosing the MobileHelp Classic over other companies’ in-home systems can save seniors who don’t have a landline over $100 per year.

Couples or Roommates

When looking for a medical alert device for two people, such as spouses, costs can quickly add up. With most companies, couples or seniors who otherwise share a home still have to pay for two separate devices. To make medical alert monitoring more official for couples and roommates, MobileHelp offers its unique Duo system. The Duo is essentially a two-for-one package of the MobileHelp Solo portable device. The Duo plan comes with two separate devices so two people can be protected for the price of one. Choosing The Duo over paying for devices separately can easily save seniors hundreds of dollars per year.

Tech-Savvy Seniors and Caregivers

In late 2019, MobileHelp announced its new MobileHelp Amazon Alexa skill. Like downloading an app to a smartphone, anyone with an Alexa device can download MobileHelp’s “skill.” MobileHelp users and their caregivers can then use the skill to ask their Alexa Device questions related to their MobileHelp account, the user’s location and activity level, and more. The Alexa skill is just one way in which MobileHelp has optimized its devices to utilize advanced technology that benefits both users and their caregivers. Anyone who is tech-savvy will be very pleased with MobileHelp’s offerings and available features.

Plans and Starting Costs

MobileHelp devices may be paid for on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. The exceptions are the MobileHelp Smart, which has a minimum payment period of three months, and the MobileHelp Touch, which has a minimum payment period of six months. For most devices, choosing one of the longer payment periods reduces the monthly cost by several dollars. Quarterly, semi-annual, and annual plans also include free shipping.

Customers are not required to sign any long-term contracts and may cancel their service at any time without paying a fee. MobileHelp also offers a prorated refund on any prepaid months at the time of cancellation, and all customers are eligible for a 30-day trial period during which they can return their device for a full refund.

Starting Costs

MobileHelp customers who choose the monthly payment option must pay $15 for ground shipping. Quarterly, semi-annual, and annual plans for all devices include free ground shipping. Additionally, the MobileHelp Classic carries a one-time fee of $49.95; the fee is waived for customers who choose quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payment plans.

Device Prices and Features

Classic

Device Features

The Classic is an in-home system with a cellular connection through AT&T’s network, so no landline is required. It includes a base station with a range of 600 feet and a 30-hour backup battery, and one waterproof and showerproof wearable help button. The personal help button may be worn either as a pendant or wristband.

Pricing

This system costs $19.95 a month including AT&T’s cellular service, making it the least expensive in-home system with a cellular connection on the market. Customers may also pay for their devices quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. While there is no discount on the monthly cost, the one-time device fee of $49.95 is waived for those who choose one of the longer-term payment plans. Fall detection costs an additional $10 a month.

Wired Home

Device Features

One of MobileHelp’s newer offerings, the Wired Home is an in-home, landline-based system. This system is a great option for those who live in remote areas and do not receive good cellular service in their homes. The system includes a base station with an impressive in-home range of 1,300 feet, as well as a wearable help button. Customers may choose either a pendant or wristband help button. Fall detection is not available with the Wired Home.

Pricing

The Wired Home is slightly more expensive than MobileHelp’s other in-home offering, the Classic. It costs $24.95 a month when paid for on a monthly basis. Quarterly, semi-annual, and annual payment options are also available, and all save users several dollars per month.

Solo

Device Features

The Solo is a mobile system designed for active seniors who spend a lot of time outside of the home. It uses AT&T’s cellular network to connect with the emergency monitoring center, so it works anywhere in the United States with cellular service. It also has GPS tracking services to easily locate users during an emergency. The system includes a small device that functions as a portable base station and a separate waterproof, showerproof personal help button. The device battery lasts 24 hours between charges, so it is recommended that users place the device in its charging cradle each night.

Pricing

This system costs $37.95 a month with a monthly plan, $34.95 a month with a quarterly plan, or $32.95 a month with a semi-annual plan or annual plan. These prices are on par with industry averages. Automatic fall detection is also available for an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Duo

Device Features

The Duo is a bundled system that includes both MobileHelp Classic and Solo devices. It is designed for active seniors who need protection on-the-go, but who also want an extra layer of protection in the home. Users receive two personal help buttons, both of which are showerproof, waterproof, and may be worn as a pendant or wristband.

Pricing

The Duo costs $41.95 a month with a monthly plan, including both systems. Customers can save a few dollars per month by selecting one of the other payment options. The quarterly plan costs $39.95 a month, and the semi-annual and annual plans cost $36.95 a month. Fall detection costs an extra $10 a month. All options are considerably less expensive than paying for each device separately, making the duo a great deal.

Touch

Device Features

MobileHelp Touch is a first-of-its-kind device that combines classic emergency medical monitoring with comprehensive health services delivered via a tablet. The system includes a tablet, a waterproof in-home wearable help button, and a portable device. The tablet functions as a base station and may also be used as a medication management and alert system. Other features of the tablet include cognitive games, photo galleries, optional access to Amwell, an on-demand telehealth service. It plugs into a power outlet but has a 12-hour backup battery in the event of a power outage. The mobile device has a battery life of up to 24 hours, and the in-home personal help button does not need to be charged.

Pricing

MobileHelp Touch is only available for semi-annual or annual payment. The semi-annual plan comes out to $59.45 per month and the annual plan costs $49.95 a month. The cost includes all three system components. Fall detection pendants are available for an additional $10 a month.

**6-month minimum payment period
***The tablet and portable device are not waterproof

Optional Features and Devices

MobileHelp now offers access to MDLIVE, a telehealth platform, to all of its users. For a fee of $9.95 per month, MobileHelp users can access on-demand assistance from a board-certified medical professional, with no extra fee or copay for the video meetings. Users can simply visit the MDLIVE portal to request an instant video chat, no appointment required. MDLIVE doctors can help monitor 50 routine conditions and even send prescriptions to the caller’s nearest pharmacy. In some cases, MDLIVE can save seniors a trip to urgent care, or even the emergency room.

In addition to MDLIVE, MobileHelp offers several add-on devices and features that customers can add to their MobileHelp plans. Available add-ons include:

• Lockboxes: Lockboxes provide an easy way for EMS to enter users’ homes during an emergency. MobileHelp currently provides all customers with a lockbox free of charge- a $29.95 value.
• Medication Reminders: Users may program customizable medication reminders for an additional $5 a month (the service is included free with MobileHelp Touch). This feature is particularly useful for seniors with complex medication schedules. Users or their caregivers set the reminders online, and an alert will sound through the in-home base station at the pre-programmed times.
• Wall-Mounted Buttons: These buttons may be placed anywhere in the home where users would like extra protection. They function as additional personal help buttons. Wall-mounted buttons may be leased from MobileHelp for an additional $2 a month.
• Jewelry Pendants: MobileHelp offers jewelry pendants, which customers can wear instead of the traditional medical alert pendant. The stylish pendants function just like traditional medical alert devices. Jewelry pendants are currently available in four different metal and jewel options and range in cost from $69.95-$79.95.

Monitoring

MobileHelp works with Rapid Response, a third-party monitoring company, to monitor their devices. Rapid Response is U.S.-based, has monitoring centers located in New York and California, and is a member of The Monitoring Association (TMA). It is also certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). All Rapid Response operators are certified by the Security Industry Association and must undergo 6 weeks of training.