LifeFone Medical Alert System Review

Hearing loss is a common problem among seniors – approximately 37.5 million American adults have trouble hearing. However, 28.8 million of them don’t benefit from hearing aids. There are many reasons why someone may choose not to wear a hearing aid, including lack of access to hearing specialists, stigma surrounding assistive devices, and aesthetic reasons. For some, the cost is a barrier. Hearing aids can be quite expensive, with average costs ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.

Even though hearing aid costs are intimidating, it is important for people who suffer from hearing loss to have these devices in hand. They make all the difference in the world by improving everyday life. Read on to see why hearing aid costs are so high and how that doesn’t have to break the bank.

Hearing aids are complicated and precise medical devices. Over the years, audiologists have continued to develop new technology to advance hearing aids. A lot of time and money is behind each one of these devices, delivering high quality and rich features to the final product.

Not only does the development of technology impact the cost of hearing aids, but so do the features that exist within them. The device gets more expensive with more features available, both in upfront costs and expenses throughout the life of the device. Features offered with many hearing aids include:

• Noise Reduction reduces the amplification of certain channels that aren’t helpful in a particular environment. This is especially helpful in loud places where someone wants to hear the person speaking to them and not the noise around them.
• Multiple Channels allow for a more accurate analysis of the sound environment, which enhances the other features of the hearing aid.
• Directional Microphones pick up audio from specific places in front and behind the user. This allows for the hearing aid to adjust the amplification of certain channels, producing a clear sound that is clear and easy to interpret.
• Multiple Memories are great for flexibility in many different environments. The hearing aid can be configured for a particular situation, then saved into memory to be recalled later when needed.
• Rechargeable Batteries make hearing aids more accessible while on the go. There’s no need to purchase and carry batteries around, just keep the charger handy.
• Wireless Connectivity gives the user a direct connection to Bluetooth-enabled devices such as phones, tablets, or computers. This helps someone take phone calls, listen to music, watch videos, and many other uses.

Another reason for the high cost of hearing aids is the build quality. This can vary widely based on the brand and model, giving the lifespan of a hearing aid anywhere between 3 to 7 years before it needs replacing. Most of the time, the higher the quality of the hearing aid, the longer it’ll last, and the more it will cost.

Knowing the cost of hearing aids and understanding why it is so high is important, but so is knowing how to get the devices for a price that fits your budget. Below, we explain some options available to make hearing aid costs more manageable.

2.14 billion people around the world shop online, nearly a quarter of the world’s population. There are many reasons why this is the case; it’s quick, convenient, cheaper, and finding competitive pricing is easy.

This is certainly true when shopping for hearing aids. Many vendors serve a wide range of brands and models with varying features, all for a much lower cost than traditional outlets. However, be aware that when buying hearing aids online the devices are not custom-programmed for your hearing profile like they would be if you get your hearing aids through an audiologist. If you have severe hearing loss or have not found success with over-the-counter or online hearing aids in the past, you should work with a certified audiologist.

When buying hearing aids, vendors may offer an option to “bundle” their services. These services are essential for setting up and maintaining these devices, items such as:

• Fittings and follow-up adjustments get someone a comfortable fit and maintain the effectiveness of the hearing aid throughout its lifespan. Hearing loss changes over time and the hearing aid must adapt.
• Regular cleanings keep hearing aids from getting dirty, which makes them perform better for longer. These are precise devices and any build-up of dead skin or earwax can impact their effectiveness.
• Warranty replacements are a great backup if something unexpected happens. The cost of hearing aids is expensive enough without having to pay for them twice.

“Bundling” is a popular option for those looking to save money because over time an individual’s hearing needs may change. Having services like follow-up adjustments and consultations available when this happens can save some unexpected expenses later.

The other option is the buy these services “unbundled”. This allows someone to pay for what they need upfront without paying for anything unnecessarily. This requires some thinking ahead and making compromises, but can save money in the long run if done right.

A typical insurance policy may not cover the cost of hearing aids, but there are ways to significantly reduce the expense. Consider the following:

• Health Savings Plans are flexible since they act as a medical savings account that can be used for medical needs as needed, including hearing aids.
• Department of Veteran’s Affairs often will pay hearing aid costs for veterans, especially if the hearing loss is a result of time served.
• Medicare doesn’t generally cover hearing aids, but a Medicare Part C plan through a private party usually includes solutions for hearing loss.
• Medicaid can cover most, if not all, of hearing aid costs.

LifeFone earned the number two ranking out of 23 medical alert companies reviewed, with an impressive star rating of 5/5 stars. LifeFone received high scores in all of the rating categories thanks to its competitively priced devices and history of reliability, with 44 years of experience in the emergency monitoring industry and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

LifeFone performed best in the “Availability of Add-Ons” category, with a perfect 10/10 rating. It was one of the only companies to offer all of the add-on devices and features we included in our rankings, including activity tracking, on-demand location tracking, and medication reminders.

One of the company’s most useful add-on features is the Mobile Alert app. Mobile Alert has three different buttons users can press for assistance, depending on their needs: a panic button for emergency situations, a concern button, which turns into a virtual escort service when callers are alone and feel unsafe, and a medical button for users with medical conditions that require immediate attention. Users simply need to have the app open on their smartphone, and contacting the monitoring center is as easy as pressing one’s personal help button on their wearable device.

Pricing

At-Home Landline costs $29.95 a month when paid for monthly. Quarterly and annual payment options are available, which cost $27.95 a month and $24.95 a month, respectively. All plans include free shipping. Fall detection costs an additional $5 a month.

Device Information

This is a classic landline-based system, so users must have a landline connection in their homes. The base station has a range of 1,300 feet and a 32-hour backup battery. The help button may be worn as a pendant or wristband and is waterproof, so it’s wearable in the shower. Users can purchase a second wearable help button for $39.99. A second person may use this button to receive monitoring service under the same plan as the initial subscriber for no extra fee.

Pricing

At-Home Cellular costs $34.95 a month with a monthly plan, $32.95 a month with a quarterly plan, or $30.95 a month with an annual plan. Fall detection is available for an additional $5 a month.

Device Information

This cellular-based in-home system uses AT&T cellular service to connect with the monitoring center, and is ideal for seniors who want in-home protection but do not have a landline. Other than the connection type, the system is the same as the landline-based At-Home. The base station has a range of 1,300 feet and a 32-hour backup battery, and the included personal help button is showerproof.

Pricing

This system costs $43.95 a month when paid monthly and $41.95 a month when paid quarterly. Annual plans are slightly less expensive, at $39.95 a month. Fall detection costs an additional $5 a month.

Device Information

At-Home & On-the-Go GPS includes two different systems: the At-Home Cellular in-home system and On-the-Go GPS mobile system. On-the-Go GPS is a portable device the size of a deck of cards, so it fits in a belt-clip holder, pocket, or purse. The in-home system functions as a portable base station with a range of up to 1,400 feet, so users must still wear their personal help button while using the mobile device. The range on On-the-Go GPS is 600 feet, and the battery lasts 32 hours between charges.

Pricing

This portable device costs $41.95 a month with a monthly payment plan. Quarterly plans cost $39.95 a month, and annual plans come to $37.95 monthly. Fall detection is available for an additional $5 a month.

Device Information

The At-Home & On-the-Go GPS, VIP Active, is an all-in-one portable system. The lightweight device has a built-in two-way speaker and wears around the neck, so there is no need to wear an additional personal help button. Users can choose between AT&T or Verizon cellular and GPS location services so emergency monitoring operators and caregivers can locate the device anytime. The battery lasts up to 5 days on a single charge, and the device is waterproof, so it’s wearable in the shower.

Pricing

LifeFone’s VIPx costs $43.95 with a standard monthly plan, $41.95 monthly with a quarterly plan, or $39.45 monthly with an annual plan. Fall detection is available for an additional $5 a month, and the caregiver mobile app is available for an extra $8 a month.

Device Information

The VIPx is LifeFone’s smallest and most lightweight voice-in pendant with options for fall detection and a caregiver mobile app. The system detects a user’s location through a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular signals. This waterproof device is powered by AT&T or Verizon’s 4G LTE nationwide cellular networks, which is ideal for both inside and outside the home. It lasts up to 16 days on a full charge and comes in three colors: silver, black and white. Lastly, it’s the only Lifefone device supported by the Caregiver App. The mobile can check in on loved ones, including location and activity tracking, battery level updates, and button press history.

Pricing

The At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Flex option costs $43.95 on the monthly plan, $41.95 per month on the quarterly plan, and $39.95 monthly on the annual plan. Like all Lifefone products, there is an option for fall detection for an additional $5 per month.

Device Information

This small and lightweight device is true to its name, with the flexibility to be worn as a necklace, wristband, or belt clip. It is functional anywhere in the U.S. with access to Verizon or AT&T cellular networks. VIP Flex is water resistant, so it can be worn in the shower for continued monitoring, and the battery lasts up to 5 days.

Caregiver support includes phone, email, and text notifications and location identification with cellular, WiFi and GPS technology.

Pricing

The At-Home & On-the-Go Smartwatch Active costs $49.95 with a monthly plan, $47.95 a month for quarterly plans, and $42.12 monthly for the annual plan. An optional fall detection feature is available for $5 a month. Also, you can include a Daily Check-in service for $19 per month and the LifeFone Protection Plan for $5 per month.

Device Information

Smartwatch Active features advanced location technology using cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity. This smartwatch also comes with a built-in step tracker and heart rate monitor, making it an ideal device for active seniors. The Smartwatch Active device includes a built-in speaker and microphone to communicate with the LifeFone Care Team. On a full charge, the smartwatch offers up to 24 hours of battery life with optimal settings.

LifeFone does not charge any activation, installation, or equipment fees. Some customers may have to pay approximately $15 for shipping.

LifeFone customers are not required to sign long-term contracts, and users may cancel their service at any time without paying a fee. Customers who prepaid for longer service periods will receive a prorated refund for any unused months at the time of cancellation. All new customers are also eligible for a 30-day free trial, during which they can return their system for a full refund.

LifeFone operates its own monitoring center in White Plains, New York. They also work with third-party companies to monitor their backup centers, one in New York and the other in California.

All LifeFone customers set their Emergency Care Instructions, which outline important information such as medical history and emergency contacts. Operators will use callers’ Emergency Care Instructions to ensure that each user gets the help they need.

Caregivers and family members of LifeFone users can use the Caregiver Portal to update their loved one’s Emergency Care Instructions. Caregivers of On-the-Go users can also use the portal to locate their loved one’s device. In the online portal, caregivers can view the device’s last known location on a map, as well as location history. The Caregiver Portal is included with LifeFone service, but location tracking costs an additional $9 a month.

Offered with the VIPx device for $8 a month, the Caregiver Mobile App takes the standard caregiver portal one step further. Location tracking provides visibility into the user’s exact location through the app, and caretakers receive notifications on their mobile phones when they press an alert button. Launch the app to track activity levels with the step counter and get a notification each morning when the user’s first motion is detected. If the device is powered off or the battery is running low, the app will also notify caregivers.

For $6 a month, users or their caregivers can set medication reminders. In the Caregiver Portal, caregivers can set up to four medication reminders per day (up to 10 medications per reminder) for their loved ones. At the pre-programmed time, the user’s in-home base station will play an alert reminding the user to take their medication. Users must press a button on the base station to disable the alert, or it will automatically stop after 30 minutes. Caregivers can then check the portal to see whether their loved one accepted the reminder. If the user never presses the button, the medication reminder will be marked “ignored.”

Activity Assurance provides caregivers peace of mind that their loved one is safe and going about their day as usual. To activate this feature, users set a time for an alarm to sound daily. Users must press a button on their base station, signaling to the monitoring center that they heard the alert. If the user does not respond to the alarm within 15 minutes, the monitoring center places an outbound call to the user. If this call goes unanswered, the operator will respond to the situation according to the procedures outlined in the user’s Emergency Care Instructions. Activity Assurance is only available for At-Home landline users for a $6 monthly fee.

All LifeFone users are eligible for daily check-in service. This feature enables users to receive a daily call from a LifeFone care agent to check in, ensure everything is okay, or provide medication reminders and other types of reminders. Each user can customize the call to meet their needs. This feature works with all LifeFone devices and costs $19 a month.

LifeFone also offers the following add-on devices:

• Wall-Mounted Button: These buttons can be placed anywhere in the home where users would like extra protection. Like the wearable personal help button, pressing the wall-mounted button triggers a call to the emergency monitoring center. Wall-mounted buttons are available from LifeFone for $39.95 each.
• Lockbox: Lockboxes provide an easy way for emergency services to enter one’s home if they are unable to answer the door after placing an emergency call. LifeFone sells a basic hanging lockbox for $29.95 and Master Lock lockboxes for $39.95.
• Second Wearable Help Button: Users of At-Home systems can purchase a second wearable help button for $39.95. The second button may be worn by a spouse, who can be monitored under the same plan as the initial subscriber, essentially receiving monitoring service for two people for the price of one.
• Vanity Pendants: These designer-inspired pendants are perfect for those who want to improve the aesthetics of their medical alert device. These pendants look like fashionable necklaces but function like LifeFone’s standard wearable help buttons to connect users with emergency assistance. A vanity pendant costs $71.95.
• Leather Carrying Case for Mobile: It’s a standard leather carrying case that protects the mobile help button (At-Home & On-the-Go) from damage, and costs $14.95.

LifeFone keeps prices low from the start with zero one-time fees. Some companies’ device, activation, installation, and equipment fees can total over $100, so LifeFone customers save money right away. Additionally, LifeFone guarantees a lifetime price-lock on all subscriptions. The price that users pay for their first billing cycle is the same price they will pay for years to come. This makes it easy for seniors with a fixed income to plan ahead, as they know exactly how much they will pay for emergency medical monitoring in the future.

Almost all medical alert companies offer fall detection with some of their devices, but typically there are limitations on which devices are compatible with fall detection. All five LifeFone devices may be used with the fall detection pendant, giving seniors prone to falls plenty of choice and flexibility when choosing their devices. Since fall detection is available with all devices, LifeFone customers who need extra protection in case of falls will not feel that they must make their decision based on compatibility with fall detection.

LifeFone offers extra features, including medication reminders, activity assurance, and daily check-in calls, which can be extremely useful for seniors with medical conditions. Rather than wait for the user to call the emergency monitoring center, these features allow LifeFone agents to be proactive and regularly check in on users to ensure they are safe and healthy. Medication reminders and daily check-in calls ensure seniors to stay on track with their medication regimens. In addition, check-in calls and activity assurance can provide peace of mind for caregivers of seniors with high-risk medical conditions.

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