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ADT Medical Alert Review

ADT Medical Alert costs $39.99 a month for Medical Alert Plus or $41.99 for On-The-Go, plus a $99 activation fee that promotions often waive, with fall detection $11 a month extra.

By Krystine Carneiro, Contributor. See their work.Published January 8, 2026Updated October 16, 2026This page was compiled from primary sources: company disclosures and terms, the BBB and regulators. Our ratings method is described on the methodology page.
ADT Medical Alert BestGuide rating
4.6/5 BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editors from reputation, services, transparency, customer satisfaction and scale. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

Best for: Older adults and families who want a familiar brand, month to month service and either an in-home unit with long range or a GPS device for outings.

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Compare medical alert systems
On this page13 sections
  1. Ratings and complaints
  2. ADT Medical Alert vs. competitors
  3. Pricing
  4. Step by step
  5. ADT Medical Alert legitimacy and licensing
  6. ADT Medical Alert cost
  7. How ADT Medical Alert works
  8. ADT complaints and how to avoid problems
  9. Cancellation, warranty and returns
  10. Does insurance or Medicaid pay for ADT Medical Alert?
  11. What customers say
  12. Alternatives
  13. FAQ
Our verdict

ADT Medical Alert costs a bit more than some medical alert brands, and fall detection adds $11 a month. It is a legitimate service from ADT LLC, the 150-year-old security company, with month-to-month billing, ADT's own monitoring centers and an included equipment protection plan. ADT as a whole draws heavy complaints about billing and cancellation (BBB A rating but 10,730 complaints in 3 years, 1.2 on Trustpilot), mostly from home security contracts, so confirm the medical alert plan is month to month and get your activation fee and promotion in writing.

Your options

  • ADT Medical Alert This review Older adults and families who want a familiar brand, month to month service and either an in-home unit with long range or a GPS device for outings.
    Visit site
  • Medical Care Alert Alternative Older adults who spend most of their time at home and want a long-range home system on a month-to-month plan with clear pricing.
    Visit site
Company
ADT LLC (ADT Health), 1501 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL; in business since 1890, per BBB5
Systems sold
Medical Alert Plus (in home, cellular) and On-The-Go (mobile with GPS); the landline Medical Alert Basic appeared on ADT's compare page in June 2026 but not on its September 2026 health page1
Monthly price
Medical Alert Plus $39.99 and On-The-Go $41.99; $2 less with quarterly or annual billing, as listed September 20261
Activation fee
$99, waived in ADT's FREEACT promotion with quarterly or annual billing (September 2026)1
Fall detection
$11 a month extra on Plus and On-The-Go; does not detect 100% of falls; not offered on wristbands3
Contract
Month to month; ADT says there are no long-term contracts and you can cancel any time4
Range and network
Plus: 600 feet from the base; Basic: 300 feet; cellular units use AT&T LTE2
Warranty
Premium Protection Plan included: free battery and wear replacements; drops and spills $75 per base and $15 per accessory, up to 1 base and 2 accessories a year; lost devices not covered3

ADT Medical Alert ratings and complaint records

  • BBB A ADT Security Services (ADT LLC), accredited since March 11, 2013; 10,730 complaints in the last 3 years across all ADT services; 2,815 customer reviews View source
  • Trustpilot 1.2 out of 5 5,171 reviews for ADT USA, 90% one star; reviews are mostly about home security, not medical alerts View source

Pros

  • Backed by ADT, with its own monitoring centers
  • Month to month billing and no long-term contract
  • Home temperature monitoring and GPS on On-The-Go
  • Equipment protection plan included at no extra cost
  • No landline needed for Plus or On-The-Go

Cons

  • $99 activation fee unless a promotion waives it
  • Fall detection adds $11 a month
  • Quarterly billing needs 3 months paid upfront
  • ADT overall has thousands of BBB complaints about billing and cancellation
  • Lost devices are not covered

Best for: Older adults and families who want a familiar brand, month to month service and either an in-home unit with long range or a GPS device for outings.

Skip it if: You want the lowest monthly price, a published free trial, or fall detection without paying extra each month.

ADT Medical Alert vs. competitors

ADT Medical Alert compared with competitors
CompanyStarting priceUpfront costFall detectionTrial or refundsBBBNext step
ADT Medical Alert $39.99 a month (Plus)$99 activation, often waived$11 a monthCancel any time; trial period not publishedA Visit site
Bay Alarm Medical $27.95 a monthNot published on home pageExtra; price not on home page15 day risk-free trial; unused months refunded after device returnA+ Read review
Lively Mobile2 $24.99 a month$89.99 device on sale, plus $35 activation$9.99 a month30 day returns with restocking feeA+ Visit site

Medical alert systems we reviewed

  1. ADT Medical Alert This review BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults and families who want a familiar brand, month to month service and either an in-home unit with long range or a GPS device for outings.
    Visit site
  2. Medical Care Alert BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults who spend most of their time at home and want a long-range home system on a month-to-month plan with clear pricing.
    Visit site Read review
  3. LifeFone BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Families who want a low, published monthly price, cheap fall detection and the freedom to cancel any time.
    Visit site Read review
  4. Lifeline This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults and caregivers who want a long-established medical alert brand with home, GPS or smartwatch options and are comfortable paying a little more for it.
    Read review
  5. Medical Alert BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults who want a simple button with live U.S.-based response, a family app and the option to cancel without a contract.
    Read review
  6. Bay Alarm Medical BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults and families who want a low monthly price on a home or mobile system, no minimum term and a company with few formal complaints.
    Read review
  7. Lively BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults who want a simple phone or a wearable button with a live agent behind it, on a monthly plan they can cancel any time.
    Visit site Read review
  8. Medical Guardian BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Older adults and caregivers who want a choice of home, pendant or smartwatch alerts with a large, established monitoring operation.
    Visit site Read review
See all medical alert systems, ranked

ADT Medical Alert pricing at a glance

ADT Medical Alert systems, as listed on ADT's health pages in 20261

System Monthly price Quarterly or annual billing Fall detection Works away from home
Medical Alert Plus $39.99 $37.99 Pendant, $11 a month extra No; in home, 600 foot range, cellular
On-The-Go $41.99 $39.99 Built in or pendant, $11 a month extra Yes, cellular with GPS
Medical Alert Basic (June 2026 listing) $31.99 $29.99 Not available No; needs a landline, 300 foot range

Activation is $99 (some ADT pages say $99.99) and is often discounted or waived in promotions. With quarterly billing, the first 3 months are due at purchase. Extra wristbands or pendants cost $14.99 plus $3 a month; a wall button adds $2.99 a month; a lockbox is $29.99. Taxes are extra.

ADT Medical Alert, step by step

  1. Pick a system

    Choose Medical Alert Plus for home use or On-The-Go if you leave the house. Ask whether AT&T cellular coverage reaches your address.

  2. Choose billing and add-ons

    Monthly, quarterly or annual billing; quarterly and annual get $2 off a month. Add fall detection for $11 a month if needed.

  3. Set it up

    ADT ships by 2-day FedEx. Plug in the base or charge the On-The-Go, then press the button to test.

  4. When you press the button

    An ADT agent answers through the base or device. If no one responds, ADT calls your number on file and then follows your instructions to call contacts or send responders.

  5. Cancel when you need to

    Service is month to month. Call ADT to cancel and ask how and when to return the equipment.

ADT Medical Alert legitimacy and licensing

Yes. ADT Medical Alert is sold and monitored by ADT LLC, the Boca Raton, Florida security company the BBB lists as in business since 1890. ADT holds an A rating and BBB accreditation since 2013. ADT says its senior-sensitivity trained monitoring agents answer in 30 seconds or less on average.

The reputation problem is with ADT as a whole: 10,730 BBB complaints in three years and 1.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 5,171 reviews. Most of those reviews are about home security contracts, technician visits and cancellations, not medical alerts. Still, it tells you to keep records of your plan, fees and any promotion.

ADT Medical Alert cost

As listed in September 2026, Medical Alert Plus is $39.99 a month and On-The-Go is $41.99, each $2 less with quarterly or annual billing. The standard activation fee is $99, but ADT’s FREEACT promotion waived it with quarterly or annual billing. Fall detection. Sensors in a pendant or watch that automatically place a call when they detect a likely fall. Compare medical alert systems adds $11 a month, sometimes discounted 50% in promotions. Extra wristbands or pendants are $14.99 each plus $3 a month, and a wall button adds $2.99 a month.

In June 2026 ADT also listed Medical Alert Basic at $31.99 a month. It requires a landline and has no fall detection. ADT’s September 2026 health page showed only Plus and On-The-Go, so ask whether Basic is still sold.

Checked the fees?Visit siteCompare all

How ADT Medical Alert works

You wear a waterproof pendant or wristband (ADT says it can be submerged up to 3 feet for 30 minutes). Press it and the base or mobile unit connects you to an ADT agent by two-way voice. If you do not answer, ADT calls the phone number on file, then follows your instructions to contact family or send emergency responders. You have about 15 seconds to cancel an accidental press.

Medical Alert Plus covers up to 600 feet from the base, enough for a yard. On-The-Go works anywhere with cellular coverage and has GPS. In-home units also watch for unsafe home temperatures. Fall detection works only through a pendant or the On-The-Go’s built-in sensor, and ADT says it does not detect every fall.

What customers say about ADT Medical Alert

Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.

Common praise

  • Agents who answer and respond quickly, according to ADT's own FAQ figure of 30 seconds or less on average
  • Month to month billing with no long-term contract
  • Equipment replacement included for wear, defects and batteries
  • Home temperature monitoring and GPS on the mobile unit

Common complaints

  • Long hold times and transfers when calling ADT
  • Charges continuing after a cancellation request
  • Fees or promotions that were not applied as promised
  • Difficult cancellation process (mostly reported for security contracts)

ADT complaints and how to avoid problems

Across BBB and Trustpilot, recurring ADT complaints are long holds and transfers, billing that continues after cancellation, promised fee waivers that were not applied, and hard-to-cancel contracts. Those are mostly home security cases, but the same billing and support teams sit behind the medical alert service.

To avoid problems: get the monthly rate, activation fee, fall detection charge and promotion code in writing or a screenshot; confirm the plan is month to month; test the button monthly; and when you cancel, note the date, the agent’s name and the return instructions, then check your next statement.

Cancellation, warranty and returns

ADT’s FAQ says medical alert service has no long-term contract and can be canceled at any time. ADT does not publish a free trial period for medical alerts, so ask before you buy. The included Premium Protection Plan replaces devices for wear, defects, power surges and batteries at no cost; accidental drops and spills cost $75 per base unit and $15 per accessory, up to one base and two accessories a year. Lost devices are charged at full replacement cost.

Does insurance or Medicaid pay for ADT Medical Alert?

ADT says it accepts some government and insurance funding, but its staff cannot tell you whether you qualify. You apply through your insurer or Medicaid program, and if approved, your case worker contacts ADT. You can start on self-pay and switch once funding is approved. Ask your plan directly whether it covers a personal emergency response system. A medical alert is not a substitute for medical care, so talk with a doctor about fall risk and call 911 directly when you can.

Still deciding?Visit siteCompare all

Alternatives to ADT Medical Alert

  • Bay Alarm Medical BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    Lower starting price and a published 15 day risk-free trial.

    Read review
  • Lively BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.Read review

    Cheaper monthly plans if you are willing to buy the device upfront.

    Visit site
  • Medical Guardian BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.Read review

    Worth a quote if you want more device styles, including watches.

    Visit site
  • A phone and a check-in routine

    If falls are not a concern, a cell phone kept on you plus daily check-ins with family costs nothing extra, though it cannot call for help if you are unable to.

See all medical alert systems, ranked

Next steps

This review ADT Medical Alert Visit site
Alternative Medical Care Alert Visit site
Alternative LifeFone Visit site

ADT Medical Alert reviews

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Frequently asked questions

How much does ADT Medical Alert cost per month?

As listed in September 2026, Medical Alert Plus is $39.99 a month and On-The-Go is $41.99, or $2 less with quarterly or annual billing. Fall detection is $11 a month extra.

Is there an activation fee?

The standard activation fee is $99. ADT often discounts or waives it in promotions, such as its FREEACT code with quarterly or annual billing.

Does ADT Medical Alert require a contract?

No. ADT says medical alert service is month to month with no long-term contract, and you can cancel any time.

Does ADT Medical Alert need a landline?

Medical Alert Plus and On-The-Go use AT&T LTE cellular service, so no landline is needed. The older Medical Alert Basic requires a landline.

Does ADT Medical Alert have fall detection?

Yes, on Medical Alert Plus and On-The-Go for $11 a month. It works with a pendant or the On-The-Go's built-in sensor, not wristbands, and ADT says it does not detect 100% of falls.

Is the ADT button waterproof?

Yes. ADT says its pendants and wristbands are waterproof and can be submerged up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes, so you can wear them in the shower.

How far from the base does ADT Medical Alert work?

Medical Alert Plus reaches up to 600 feet from the base and Basic up to 300 feet. On-The-Go works anywhere with cellular coverage.

Does ADT charge for false alarms?

ADT says it does not charge for false alarms, but your local emergency services might. You have about 15 seconds to cancel an accidental press.

Does Medicare pay for ADT Medical Alert?

ADT says some government and insurance funding is available but you must apply through your insurer or Medicaid program. Check with your plan before buying.

What happens if I lose my ADT device?

Lost devices are not covered by the Premium Protection Plan and are charged at full replacement cost. On-The-Go users can ask ADT to help locate the device by GPS.

Sources (10)

Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards

  1. ADT Health: Medical alert systems home page (Wayback Machine copy, September 26, 2026; live site blocks automated access) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  2. ADT Health: Products (Wayback Machine copy, June 19, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  3. ADT: Home health offer terms and conditions (Wayback Machine copy, May 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  4. ADT Health: FAQs (Wayback Machine copy, June 19, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  5. BBB: ADT Security Services business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
  6. Trustpilot: ADT USA reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
  7. ADT Health: Compare packages (Wayback Machine copy, June 19, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  8. Bay Alarm Medical: Home page plans and refund policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
  9. BBB: Bay Alarm Medical business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
  10. Lively: Mobile2 medical alert (accessed October 12, 2026)
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