What You Need to Know When Choosing a Medical Alert System

The following information will help you make the right decision when choosing the best medical alert provider. We hope that you will find this information useful in your search for the right medical alert provider. Obtaining the right medical alert system is crucial for your security and peace of mind.

• Be wary of advance pre-payment requirements (3 - 24 months).

  You will notice that there are providers who advertise that no long-term contract is required, yet will require a 3 month minimum service period. Before agreeing to anything, always ask what your obligation will be.

• Low pricing should not be your only criteria for a medical alert system.

  Reputable providers cannot offer you proper medical alert service below market rates.

  This being said, don't pay $50 a month just because a company has a name you think you recognize or some celebrity endorses their product. (Remember, these endorsers are paid with your money).

• Understand the cancellation policy.

  You never know when you may no longer need your medical alert service. Find out what your obligations are and if there are any fees that you need to pay if you cancel early, including return shipping on your medical alarm console.

• Use a provider that operates its own monitoring center…most outsource this process.

  We see it all the time with smaller providers. The outsourcing of medical alert monitoring is quite common because most providers cannot afford the expense of having their own facility. You want management staff to oversee the quality of service, which is nearly impossible to do when you outsource to a third party.

  The way that LifeStation Medical alert system works is . . . management reviews emergency calls on a daily basis to ensure that proper service is being given. Only companies that have their own monitoring center can perform these critical self-evaluations.

• Get real customer testimonials.

  See what people are saying about the company. Check for customer testimonials and read them.

• Ask about the training process for operators.

  It's all about the service. In the case of an emergency, you will want qualified Care Specialists to assist you when every second counts. Always ask what type of staff training is provided.

  LifeStation Care Specialists receive at least 6 weeks of extensive training. Ongoing training is a staple of our environment.

• Will there be 24/7 customer & technical support? Most medical alert providers have limited customer service hours.

  What happens if you are having difficulty using the system? Or perhaps you have questions about your service? Make sure to ask if the medical alert company has a 24/7-customer support line available in addition to monitoring service.

• Ask them how long they have been in business.

  Experience is extremely important. Dealing with someone who has been in the life safety monitoring business a short time is ill advised.

• Make sure your system includes repair & replacement service.

  LifeStation medical alert systems include Repair/Replacement Service for as long as you are a customer.

• Is the monitoring center UL listed?

  Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed is the recognized standard for all monitoring centers. The UL listing is a sign that the facility continues to meet the high standards of UL. If the monitoring center that you are considering is not UL listed, you would be well advised to not consider them as an option.

• Does the system automatically test itself every week?

  This is one of the most important functions you have to check. LifeStation's console sends a silent signal to the monitoring facility on a weekly basis, reporting that your medical alert system is connected and functioning.