Medical alert systems are incredibly beneficial for disabled individuals, older adults, or anyone with special needs. They usually come in the form of wearable devices with an emergency button. If one becomes ill suddenly or falls, they merely have to push the button to trigger a message for help. Such devices, however, can be expensive. Keeping this in mind, we tried to determine if medical alert systems come under Medicare coverage or other insurance policies.

Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?
Medicare is a federal government health insurance program for certain groups, such as seniors and young people with specific diseases. The program is divided into four parts: A, B, C, and D.

Part A: Also referred to as Original Medicare, Part A covers hospitalization or inpatient care costs. Since individuals do not need medical alert systems to treat or diagnose an injury, they are not a part of the Original Medicare.

Part B: Part B covers outpatient care, necessary health services, and durable equipment, but alert systems fail to qualify.

Part D: It overs prescriptions that individuals purchase to treat different illnesses, but not alert systems.

Part C is probably the only Medicare plan covering medical alert systems. Also known as the Medicare Advantage Plan, Part C is provided by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It offers the benefits of Part A and B, plus additional benefits that may include covering the cost of medical alert systems. Some plans cover the original equipment price and the monthly monitoring free. Note, however, that this may vary from plan to plan; the ones covering medical alert systems usually demand a higher premium.

Are medical alert systems included in Medicaid?
Medicaid is another health insurance program by the federal government. However, unlike Medicare, it typically caters to lower-income groups. Generally, medical alert systems are not included in Medicaid. But, one can request a waiver via the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program or the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program.

What are the types of medical alert systems?
Typically, medical alert systems have three components: a communication system at home, a help push button, and an emergency response system. Some brands may provide additional features, such as fall detection. Below are the common types available.

Smartphone or mobile systems
These portable medical alert systems use the individual’s mobile GPS to locate them. However, the apparent drawback is that users must have their mobile phones during emergencies.

In-home systems
These systems require the user to give a voice command via Google Home or another voice assistant to trigger an emergency message to a family member. However, these or similar devices might be unable to call 911. More so, depending on the fall location, the device may be unable to catch one’s voice.

Smartwatches
Smartwatches let individuals make calls via a wireless system or smartphone. Today, certain smartwatches work without smartphone support and provide additional features, such as heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking.

Necklace pendants or bracelets
These are wearable devices with an emergency button. Once the user presses the button, a designated person at the monitoring center is contacted. If the user does not respond, the monitoring center immediately informs the fire department or police.

Some smart devices can sense a fall and trigger an emergency alert even when the user fails to push the button. However, one can use such systems only at home as there is no GPS tracking.

How to find a suitable medical alert system?
An overwhelming variety of medical alert systems are available in the market. So, making a pick can be daunting. It is advisable to note one’s requirements, existing conditions, and budget. Users may ask themselves: do I need a system with GPS technology? How much tech can I handle? Do I need a monitored system? The answers to these questions will help decide the ideal medical alert system. One can then choose an insurance policy depending on the cost.