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Find the Best Medical Alert Systems in Sioux City, IA

Medical alert systems provide safety and support for Siouxland seniors aging in place. The Sioux City Journal has partnered with ConsumerAffairs to create this guide by comparing medical alert plans, pricing and local availability of 28 businesses and choosing nine favorites from the top medical alert companies in Sioux City.

Companies pay ConsumerAffairs to be authorized, and the Sioux City Journal and/or ConsumerAffairs may receive compensation when you click a link, call a number or fill out a form on this site.

Compare Sioux City Medical Alert Companies

How to choose a medical alert system in Sioux City

sioux city skyline

Monitored medical alerts systems have three basic components: a wearable device with a button, a base station and a remote monitoring center. However, these systems vary in range, features and service, depending on the company and options you choose. When choosing a medical alert system in Sioux City, consider these six factors:

  1. Monitoring: Monitored medical alert systems connect users to a call center when they activate their panic buttons, but unmonitored systems call 911 directly. With monitored systems, an operator determines the nature of the emergency and sends appropriate help, rather than calling defaulting to course of action you decided on during setup. Since many people hit their buttons by accident, to test their systems or to get help that doesn’t require emergency responders, monitoring helps avoid unnecessary 911 calls and ambulance fees.
  2. Wearable device: Your medical alert system should come with a water-resistant wearable device, usually either a necklace, bracelet or watch. A bracelet or watch might be best for those who use a walker or sleep in a bed with guardrails where the necklace could become entangled. However, a pendant is often easier to wear while bathing.
  3. Battery life: The lifespan of a medical alert battery depends on the device, but they usually last anywhere from 24 hours to three years. Ask about battery life and charging so your device doesn’t become a hindrance or, at worst, useless.
  4. Fall detection: A fall alert device detects the sudden motion of a fall and automatically calls the monitoring center, even if the wearer does not push the panic button. Fall alerts are an optional add-on for many medical alert systems.
  5. GPS: In-home medical alert systems typically have a range of only 600 - 1,300 feet, but GPS medical alert systems allow the wearer to get help anywhere there is cell service.
  6. Medication reminders: Some medical alert companies offer accessory devices or smartphone apps that sound alarms for medication reminders.

In addition to these features, it’s important to consider each company’s reputation and read customer reviews when choosing a medical alert system in Sioux City. Above all else, a medical alert company must be reliable enough to trust with your life or the life of a loved one.

How much does a medical alert cost in Sioux City?

In Sioux City, medical alert systems cost $20 to $70 per month, including equipment and monitoring. Systems that feature cellular technology, fall detection, GPS capabilities or smartphone integration cost more than basic devices. Some companies also charge an activation fee of up to $100.

Though medical alert systems do not come with financing, you can sometimes save money if you pay in advance and get discounts such as free activation, free shipping, one month of free service or free spouse coverage.

Sioux City medical alert system FAQ

Does AARP cover medical alert systems?

AARP partners with several medical alert system providers to offer discounts, so ask if membership provides any perks before signing up for service.

Do you need a landline for a Life Alert system?

Most medical alert systems offer a choice between landline and cellular service.

Are Life Alerts waterproof?

Most medical alert devices are waterproof or water-resistant and can be worn while bathing. Some devices can be submerged for up to thirty minutes.

Are medical alert systems tax deductible in Iowa?

You might be eligible to deduct certain medical expenses on your tax return, but you should consult an accountant for more information. You can also pay for your medical alert system with pretax funds from your FSA or HSA.

Sioux City medical alert company information

Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian offers three medical alert packages, with prices starting at $28 per month after a $50 activation fee. Choose from landline or cellular systems with wearable pendants or bracelets. In-home bases have a range of 1,300 feet, and backup batteries last 120 hours in case of a power outage. Fall detection is optional, and the company also offers additional in-home sensors that link to family members’ or caregivers’ smartphones for activity monitoring. Medical Guardian has 100% U.S.-based monitoring centers.

Medical Guardian Learn More

Philips Lifeline

Philips Lifeline medical alert packages start at $29.95 per month with a $50 activation fee. The company provides mobile and home medical alert systems with optional GPS and fall detection. You can choose to have a technician install the system for an additional fee. Each plan includes a 30-day return policy, and every system comes with a personalized care plan. Philips Lifeline’s digital caring feature links caregivers through its smartphone app, and it also offers an automatic, programmable medication dispenser with alerts.

Philips Lifeline

Medical Alert

Medical Alert provides landline and cellular options with GPS, starting at $19.95 per month. No long-term contracts are required. Each system comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can save money when you pay for an annual plan. All of Medical Alert’s monitoring centers are U.S.-based.

Medical Alert Learn More (800) 852-0856

Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm offers four packages for medical alert systems, with monthly prices ranging from $19.95 to $39.95. You can bundle or customize services, and when you order the GPS system, you purchase and keep the locator for $79. Each system comes with a smartphone app and a risk-free 30-day trial period that doesn’t require a minimum contract. Ask about free spouse coverage and free shipping. Bay Alarm Medical’s systems are monitored in the U.S. by multilingual operators.

Bay Alarm Medical Learn More

ADT Medical Alert

ADT medical alert costs start at $29.99 per month for equipment and monitoring, and your price for service stays the same for however long you choose to keep it. All of these systems come with waterproof devices and home temperature monitoring, but fall detection and GPS upgrades are also available. Get a discount for annual and quarterly plans. ADT serves Sioux City from its Des Moines office at 3620 SW 61st St., Des Moines IA 50321.

ADT Medical Alert

Medical Care Alert

Medical Care Alert offers several options for in-home and on-the-go systems, starting at $27.45 per month. Its home and yard package comes with a wearable pendant that is also a two-way speaker, so the wearer can talk to and hear the dispatcher through the necklace. Fall detection is optional. Medical Care Alert offers 24-hour monitoring through its U.S.-based centers.

Medical Care Alert

Senior Safety

Senior Safety provides options for landline, cellular and GPS-enabled medical alert systems. Fall detection is available, and the in-home base station has a range of up to 1,000 feet. Packages start at $29 per month. The company offers free shipping, no activation fees and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Sioux City customers can cancel service at any time. Senior Safety has 24/7 monitoring centers in Utah to answer your call.

Senior Safety

Vital Link sells in-home, on-the-go and GPS medical alert systems, starting at $26.95 per month. Its wearable button's battery life is eight to 10 years, and it has backup base batteries that last 60 to 80 hours. The in-home base range is 600 to 1,000 feet. Fall detection upgrades are available. Vital Link’s three monitoring centers are located in the United States, and it provides free monitoring for additional household members with the purchase of a $40 pendant.

Vital Link

LifeStation

LifeStation medical alert systems start at $21.95 per month for in-home devices. Equipment is free, and the company doesn’t require an activation fee. Wireless or landline solutions are available, with the choice of necklace or bracelet. Each plan can be upgraded with fall detection, and GPS systems are also available. LifeStation’s monitoring centers are located in the United States, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

LifeStation