Medical Care Alert vs. Bay Alarm Medical

As technology evolves, medical alert systems are also progressing in their aim to provide tangible solutions to the problems associated with adulthood. Medical alert system, also known as personal emergency response system, is intended for seniors who live independently as they are most vulnerable to medical emergencies and other similar situations which may need urgent help. A medical alert system is considered a necessity for the elderly who want to sustain their independence until old age.

The market now offers a wide array of choices when it comes to medical alert systems. You can find wearable pendants and wristbands which you can use while at home or away. Some are equipped with high-tech features suitable for the individual preferences and lifestyle of our seniors.

In view of the many options for medical alert providers in the market, Elderguide has done the research for you to decide on which system best fits you or your loved one. This particular article provides a head-to-head comparison of two top-performing medical alert companies, Medical Care Alert and Bay Alarm Medical, to save you from the tough process of researching, and ultimately helping you to make an informed decision on your purchase.

	Medical Care Alert	Bay Alarm Medical
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A-plus	Overall Grade: A
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$29.95 - $39.95	$19.95 - $49.95
Device Cost	$0	$0 - $159
Shipping Fee	$11.95	$12
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$10	$0 - $10
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$0 - $29.95	$39
Features
Connectivity Option	Cellular, Landline or Cellular	Cellular, Landline or Cellular
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	80 hours	32 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	72 hours	6-18 hours or 72 hours
Button Range	1000 ft	1000 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Response Time	12 seconds	20 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

Medical Care Alert

Pros:

• 100% U.S-based Monitoring Center that is UL-listed and rated A+ by Better Business Bureau
• Emergency respondents hold EMT/EMD certification
• Subscribers can cancel their subscription for free within the 14-day trial
• Built-in GPS location tracker and automatic fall detection are available to all systems
• Reliable battery life (lasts up to 3 days)
• No activation fees
• Prices are locked and guaranteed for life
• Free RemoteCare 24/7 smartphone app lets authorized caregivers check the location and device status of HOME & AWAY ULTRA subscribers
• Free lockbox provided with an annual monitoring plan

Cons:

• Lowest possible pricing is offered on an annual prepaid plan
• New subscribers must prepay for at least 3 months of service as there is no month-to-month billing option

Bay Alarm Medical

Pros:

• Established U.S-based monitoring centers
• Low monitoring fees and flexible payment terms
• 30-day free trial period
• No activation or cancellation fees
• Range of options and packages to choose from
• Committed to excellence and experience
• Caregiver app with geofencing
• 24/7/365 monitoring

Cons:

• Pricey one-time fees for the mobile GPS help button and smartwatch

Medical Care Alert Overview

Medical Care Alert is a reputable, family-owned, Michigan-based company that provides emergency response systems intended for the elderly who want to sustain their independent lifestyle until old age. They are focused on providing top-quality medical monitoring through their primary packages. Their emergency operators are highly trained and are certified with EMT/EMD certification, which generally means that they are more advanced in terms of health care. Every shift, they have Spanish-speaking operators who are ready to assist and cater to seniors who are more comfortable with using the Spanish language. They monitor 24/7 all year round, making sure that all emergency calls are attended to.

Medical Alert Systems

Home Medical Alert System- Landline

The Medical Care Alert HOME Landline System is best for users who may remain home most of the time but wish to stay independent. This system provides in-home protection which works within a 1000-ft range from the base unit, which is considerably extensive, making it a great option for seniors who have big homes. The system works through landline connectivity. The base unit includes a hands-free speakerphone that directly connects with the emergency monitoring center who have EMT/EMD certified operators ready to assist at any time. The battery features an 80-hour backup so you don’t have to worry if the power goes out. The plan is at $29.95 per month, with optional upgrade for fall detection that costs $10 every month.

Home Medical Alert System- Cellular

If landline connectivity is not available, the Home Cellular Medical Care Alert system also offers similar features through connecting to AT&T 4G LTE wireless network. The system has a 1,000 ft range from the base console, which exceeds the average size of an American home. This provides extra assurance for you and your family members as the range capacity covers all areas inside your home and in your yard. The wearable help button is also water-proof, and has a battery life of up to 80 hours.

Home and Away Ultra

Like other Medical Care Alert's products, the Home and Away Ultra is waterproof, making it suitable for all types of weather and use in the bathroom. You just have to press the help button to communicate directly with a responder through a built-in microphone, if an emergency occurs. The system uses the AT&T 4G LTE network as its connection, making it serviceable at home or anywhere as long as there is a strong cellular signal.

It provides a lightweight and compact device that comes with a wearable waterproof help button pendant, with a GPS location tracker, that is directly connected with a trained, EMT/EMD certified operator ready to respond in cases of emergencies. One of the best offers of the HOME & AWAY system is the free RemoteCare 24/7 mobile app, which allows the caregivers and your loved ones to monitor your location.

This is a great option for seniors who have an active lifestyle and who are more likely to be outdoors more often. A fully-charged battery can be used for up to three days. This system can also be upgraded to have fall detection monitoring for only $10 a month.

Home and Away Duo

The Home and Away Duo costs $39.95 per month, and provides a water-proof wrist or pendant button which is safe to wear anywhere. The system also includes the GPS device to track your whereabouts. Its battery life can last up to three days max, and it provides coverage in all 50 states whenever cellular signal is accessible.

All it takes is just one push on the help button in a medical emergency. The GPS tracking device accurately locates your device so they know where to dispatch help when you need it. The specifications include a cellular connection to the AT&T cellular connection which functions anywhere in the U.S as long as cellular signal is accessible.

BAY ALARM MEDICAL OVERVIEW

Bay Alarm is among the medical alert systems’ companies that offer the most affordable packages in the market. Bay Alarm Medical partners with U.S.-based monitoring company with call centers that are UL-listed and CSAA Five Diamond Certified, which proves that they are reliable when it comes to responding to medical emergencies. Another highlight is Bay Alarm’s ability to support up to 170 languages, which is a key takeaway for non-native English users. Bay Alarm is a family-owned company that has a 75-year experience in the industry. They are dedicated to providing the best service at an affordable price with their innovative solutions. Being committed to excellence and experience, they offer 24/7 monitoring service through their CSAA Five Diamond Certified monitoring centers, which undergo random inspections by the Underwriter Laboratories.

Medical Alert Systems

In-Home Basic

The In-Home Basic plan has a starting price of $19.95 a month, which is among the most affordable price offers of medical alert systems. This works through a standard landline connection, and has a range capacity of 1000-ft from the base console. This range has more than enough coverage for a typical home in the U.S. The plan includes a base unit and a waterproof personal help button that is safe to wear even inside the shower. Fall detection can be added to this plan for an additional $10 a month.

In-Home Preferred

You may opt for the In-Home Preferred plan if you don’t have landline connectivity in your home. It connects through cellular connectivity, and it costs $29.95 per month. This system is also compatible with fall detection, which costs an additional $10 a month. It has the same range as the In-Home Basic System, and has a 32 hour backup battery life. This plan is popular because it offers free shipping when you pay quarterly, and free shipping plus a free one-month monitoring fee when you pay annually.

In-Home Premium

Bay Alarm’s In-Home Premium is the most advanced variant among the home systems offered by Bay Alarm Medical, as it includes a base unit, a help button, and four wall buttons that you can place around the house for an extra layer of security. The cost for this plan is $39.95 a month. You also have the option to add fall detection for an additional $10 a month.

SOS Mobile Lite

Bay Alarm's SOS Mobile Lite is a great choice for those who are always on the go and need to have a reliable and easy-to-use mobile medical alert system. This compact and lightweight on-the-go device is available on both AT&T and Verizon 4G-LTE networks. Unlike their home-based system, SOS Mobile plans require a one-time device payment of $79.

SOS Mobile Lite comes with a caregiver tracking app and GPS location tracking feature. Plus, the device is IPX6 water-resistant and can last up to 3 days after a full charge. Fall detection monitoring is available for an additional $10 a month.

SOS Mobile Plus

This plan is very similar to SOS Mobile Lite and their only difference is the automatic fall detection comes free with this plan. This plan has a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 and comes with a one-time equipment fee of $79.

SOS Mobile 360° Bundle

This system is a combination of home and mobile devices that provides the best option for users who lead an outgoing lifestyle and are likely to be in one place or another. For $49.95 per month and a one-time device cost of $79, you may have the In-Home Preferred + Mobile device + Fall Detection. This package reduces the overall cost compared to purchasing each plan separately.

SOS Smartwatch

The SOS Smartwatch is another option on Bay Alarm's on-the-go systems. Just like the SOS Mobile, it is priced at $29.95 a month but with an additional $159 equipment fee for the smartwatch. One downside for the SOS Smartwatch is its lack of a fall detection monitoring feature, but it does have optimal display lighting, clear two-way communication, an SOS button, and a step tracker. The device uses 4G-LTE cellular network and GPS location tracking. The device has a modern look, is water-resistant, and has a battery life of 6 to 18 hours.

In-home + Smartwatch

This is another bundle they offer. You can get the plan at $49.95 a month. This saves you around $10 and still have access to a 24/7 US-based monitoring center, location tracking, and in-home protection.

The monitoring fees for Medical Care Alert ranges at $25.99-$39.95 per month, with no additional upfront fee for its device and setup. Bay Alarm Medical, on the other hand, offers a lower rate for their monthly monitoring fee, which ranges from $19.95 - $49.95 per month, but charges a comparatively expensive device cost of $79 and $159 for its mobile GPS help button and smartwatch, respectively.

Both companies charge for shipping at around $12, and both have systems that are compatible with an added feature of fall-detection for a $10 cost on top of the basic monthly pay. Medical Care Alert has a 14-day free trial wherein users can cancel their subscription free of charge within the trial period. On the other hand, Bay Alarm allows its subscribers to cancel at any time, also free of charge under specific circumstances. Both providers offer a lifetime guarantee of a fixed payment rate as long as they stay subscribed to the system.

Medical Care Alert and Bay Alarm Medical are two top-rated medical alert providers that offer a range of helpful features designed to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Let’s take a closer look at their features to see which company offers the best system suited to your needs.

Both have two-way communication, can connect to either landline or cellular connection, have GPS location tracking, and are compatible with fall detection features. However, a huge difference is seen in their battery life, their devices, and their response time.

Medical Care Alert has a battery backup of 80 hours for its home-based system and 5 days for its on-the-go system, which is significantly longer compared to Bay Alarm, which has a battery backup of 32 hours for its home systems, and 72 hours for its on-the-go systems. This feature is especially important to know if your system would still be serviceable in the foresight of a possible power outage.

Both perform equally well in the areas of having a Caregiver app ready for use, and their monitoring centers that are all based in the U.S. However, Medical Care Alert has a significantly faster response time of 12 seconds as compared to Bay Alarm, which has an average response time of 20 seconds.

Monitoring Center

As medical alert systems rely on the quality and efficiency of their monitoring centers, let us compare both providers’ on this specific aspect to see which company performs better. Both have monitoring centers that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, and are 100% US-based which provide nationwide coverage across all 50 states in the country. The response rate is the most crucial part to consider when deciding which medical alert system to purchase as it determines how quickly an agent responds when you press the help button. Medical Care Alert’s response rate is 12 seconds which is a few seconds faster than the average response time for Bay Alarm, which is 20 seconds.

Medical Care Alert’s monitoring center is UL-approved, and they take pride in their EMT/EMD certified emergency respondents who have a profound experience in the field of health care. On the other hand, Bay Alarm's monitoring centers are also UL-approved, and are CSAA Five Diamond Certified which means that their operators undergo rigorous training and are well-equipped to handle any type of emergency.

In terms of multilingual availability, Bay Alarm is considerably more advanced, with their operators who can support up to 170 languages to cater to the vast number of seniors in the U.S who are also multi-lingual. Medical Care Alert have bi-lingual emergency respondents who can support Spanish speaking seniors.

OUR PICK

If you are having a hard time choosing between Medical Care Alert and Bay Alarm Medical, fret not, because both can offer high standards of service and both can perform exceptionally well as your personal emergency alert system.

Bay Alarm Medical is a great choice for seniors who want flexible and customizable packages, as it offers a number of unique devices and features such as the wall buttons and SOS Smartwatch. If you have enough budget, you can go for Bay Alarm Medical.

However, if you are looking for a budget-friendly medical alert system, then Medical Care Alert is the best choice as it gives the best possible benefits with the cost that it requires, considering the range of its features as explained thoroughly in this article. Medical Care Alert is an excellent option for seniors who have health risks and serious medical conditions, as they have EMT/EMD respondents who are highly trained in the field of health care.