Connect America

4.5 Stars (4 Reviews)

Updated:

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 800,000 patients a year are injured and hospitalized due to a fall, and deaths from falls have increased by 30 percent for older adults since 2007. If the rates continue to rise at this pace, the CDC anticipates that by 2030, there will be seven fall-related deaths per hour in the U.S. Aside from the high cost of medical bills, the potential inability to remain independent after an injury carries a high price for seniors. A Connect America Medical Alert System can be the difference between life and death if you fall or have another emergency.

Editorial Breakdown

Coverage Area

4.3 Stars

Battery Life

4 Stars

Features

4.3 Stars

Ease of Purchase

4 Stars

Overall Rating

4.5 Stars

Bottom Line

Connect American offers five Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) including medical alert systems and caregiver systems. In the market for a medical alert system? Read about our picks for the top rated medical alert systems on the market below.

Since 2004, Connect America has been providing personal emergency monitoring and home medical alert systems to seniors with medical conditions who want to reap the benefits of aging in place and remain independent. Founded by Ken Gross, a pioneer in the Personal Emergency Response Services (PERS), the Philadelphia-based company is one of the largest independent providers of PERS in North America. Used and reviewed by hundreds of thousands of customers, caregivers, and health care professionals, Connect America brands include: Medical Alert, Alert 911, Alert365, AlertMax365 for Men, Caregiver365 and ConnectVitals (the health care division of Connect America).

Whether you’re active and on the go or more comfortable staying at home, Connect America has a medical alert system that will work for your preferred lifestyle. Landline? Mobile phone? No phone? Connect America has a personal security device that will work for you. Some plans offer 24-hour-a-day monitoring, or you can get peace of mind from a model that lets you contact 911 with one press of a button.

Connect America logo
4.5 Stars

Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian logo
4.7 Stars

Great Variety

Call chain for caregivers

Sleek, stylish wearable devices

Personal Living Alert

Personal Living Alert logo
4.4 Stars

Great In-home Range

Flexible prices

2,000-square-foot range

Pros

  • Extensive product line with a solution for just about anyone
  • Wear alarms on a bracelet or pendant
  • Industry leader for emergency response time average under 30 seconds

Cons

  • With so many options, choosing a Connect America medical alert system can be a challenge

Connect America Medical Alert Systems Products

Connect America’s Medical Alert lineup includes seven different devices for any budget. For $20 a month, the Alert911 connects to 911 emergency services with one touch of a button on a device that is smaller than a cell phone. Higher-level devices offer substantial discounts if you pay for six months or a year of service in advance, or you can try one of these Medical Alerts for $42.99 monthly before committing to a year or six months. You can see Medical Alert pricing plans below.

The Alert365 product line offers GPS locator services and fall detection. Caregiver365 lets you and your loved ones rest easy knowing help is readily available for pennies a day. Finally, ConnectVitals partners with over 200 organizations nationwide to offer some of the most sophisticated, advanced technological, user-friendly devices and services that can be found in the telehealth and Emergency Response Service (ERS) marketplace today.

All Connect America Medical Alert products include an emergency button worn on your wrist or around your neck. The button provides 24/7 quick contact with either 911 or a fully-trained operator who can assess the emergency and call either 911 or your designated contact for help. If you get a Medical Alert At Home package, you can also get help by pushing the button on the base unit.

Connect America Medical Alert Systems Costs

Connect America differentiates their service from competitors with flat pricing rather than stacked pricing. In other words, the monthly, semiannual or annual fee you pay covers all services in your contract rather than a cost for monitoring with additional fees for GPS and fall detection. Connect America does not charge to activate your account.

ProductAnnualSemi-AnnualMonthly
Alert911
Smaller than a cell phone
N/AN/A$19.99
Medical Alert at Home (Landline)
Waterproof pendant and wrist button, base unit
$201.19$119.70$19.95
Medical Alert at Home (No Landline)
Waterproof pendant and wrist button, base unit
$281.82$167.70$29.95
Alert365 MobileElite
Waterproof, inter-changeable emergency button on pendant or wristband, fall detection, GPS location services
$352.44$209.70$29.95
Alert365
Waterproof, belt clip, lanyard, fall detection, GPS location services
$403.26$239.94$42.99
AlertMax365 for Men
Waterproof, belt clip, lanyard, fall detection, GPS location services
$403.26$239.94$42.99
Caregiver365
Waterproof, belt clip, lanyard, fall detection, GPS location services, Caregiver mobile app
$403.26$239.94$42.99
Connect America Medical Alert Personal Safety Devices

Connect America Caregiver Mobile App

Connect America Caregiver365 includes a mobile app for Android and iPhone that communicates with your family or caregiver. Using the app, only people you allow can see your location and receive text or app alerts if you use the personal safety device emergency button or the battery on your device runs low. Caregivers or loved ones can also send you recorded messages and view information such as prescription information, doctor appointments, allergies and other health documentation.

Medical Guardian logo
4.7 Stars

Medical Guardian

  • Call chain for caregivers
  • Sleek, stylish wearable devices

Where to Buy Connect America Medical Alert Systems

You can buy Connect America medical alert systems on each product’s website or you can call the customer service number on any of their sites to speak to a customer service agent who understands all Connect America medical alert options. When we called Connect America Medical Alert for information, the customer service agent was professional, knowledgeable and very personable. She was able to answer every one of our questions with ease.

connect america process
Source: Connect America

Connect America Medical Alert Systems Complaints

The A+ rated, Better Business Bureau-accredited business has 140 customer reviews and 338 customer complaints. Connect America responds to every issue until resolved. ConsumerAdvocate gives the company 9.2 out of 10 stars while ConsumerAffairs readers rank Connect America Medical Alert Systems on average 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Consumer complaints vary across online review sites. Most have to do with billing issues, lack of coverage or service in a particular area and getting a faulty system and having a hard time getting a refund or getting it replaced.

Jabra Enhance Hearing Aids

Jabra Enhance Hearing Aids logo
4.7 Stars

Great Virtual Support

Online hearing test

100-day free trial

Eargo

Eargo logo
4.7 Stars

Innovative Products

Expedited process

4 hearing aid models available

Audien Hearing

Audien Hearing logo
4.4 Stars

Great Affordable Option

Wireless charging

Easy setup process

Connect America Medical Alert Systems FAQ

Will Connect America Medical Alert Systems work in my area?

Connect America wireless Medical Alert systems work throughout North America as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mobile coverage comes through the AT&T network and will work as long as you’re in a covered area even if you’re not an AT&T customer.

Do Connect America emergency operators speak languages other than English?

Yes. The Response Center has operators on staff who are native speakers of languages other than English. All of their operators are also trained to use the International Language Line for real-time translation services in 140 languages.

How do Connect America Medical Alert systems work?

How the system works depends on which Connect America product you select. All Medical Alert devices except Alert911 come with round-the-clock monitoring. If you need help, press your emergency button to be connected to an operator in less than 30 seconds. The operator will send an ambulance or contact your loved ones for help and will stay on the line with you. Systems with fall detection don’t require you to press a button as the accelerometer recognizes falls and alerts the Response Center. However, if you should fall and remain alert, we recommend that you push your emergency button.

How do I choose the Connect America Medical Alert device that’s best for me?

To choose the best Connect America medical alert system, consider whether you are frequently away from home, if you want fall detection and the level of response you need (direct to 911, trained operator, EMT-trained operator). Then, take a look at your budget. For more information regarding choosing a medical alert system check out, Choosing a Medical Alert System: 3 Questions You Need to Ask before selecting your Connect America medical emergency device.

How much does Connect America charge to ship the equipment, and how much is the activation fee?

Connect America doesn’t charge an activation fee and they do not charge for shipping.

Conclusion

A Connect America medical alert system can reassure you that you will get help if there is an emergency, but also offer comfort to your loved ones who may be concerned about you living alone. The team at Connect America makes sure the medical alert system you choose fits your lifestyle and needs. Whether you’re out in the backyard, traveling or in the living room, Connect America is there with you so if an emergency arises, their trained operators can save the day.

4 Connect America Reviews

Write Review
1 Star

December 20 2021 4:34PM

I have been on the phone for over an hour trying to close my account. I cancelled this service in November but was charged in December. Returned equipment (never used) as per instructed and....I am still paying. I am starting to believe this is a scam.

Please save yourselves the headache and use a different company. Next stop is the Better Business Bureau. As I am still on hold I guess I have the time.

David D.
GREAT RIVER, NY
1 Star

November 18 2021 12:56AM

I take care of Rose **. When she received her first device from Medical Alert, everything was great. Unbeknown to Rose, Connect America took over and sent her a new system.

Before Connect America, if she accidentally bumped her necklace or bracelet, Medical Alert immediately answered asking if we needed help. Because of Medical Alert's efficiency, Rose or I could report a false alarm resulting in NO ambulance arriving in our driveway.

With Connect America the base unit has a recorded message telling us to hold on while they find our location. We have been on hold for 15 minutes plus an ambulance was dispatched without us having any communication with a human being wasting our EMS time and our tax dollars.

If Rose had an emergency, she would be dead while on hold with Connect America. The service waste valuable time from Blanco County and Johnson City first responders causing a delay to a real emergencies which could be a life or death situation plus we feel helpless and embarrassed.

EMS responds to the closest call which is us. We now know the ambulance staff so well that they meet us at the end of our long driveway to save valuable time to see if Rose has another false alarm or is she in need of EMS.

She is cancelling Connect America and will subscribe to a real medical Alert company. If you subscribe to Connect America, I hope you are healthy.

Renee M.
J9hnson City, TX
5 Stars

February 21 2021 7:30PM

Just having this device has made me more cautious on my stairs and around the house, and knowing help, if I need it, is just a button push away is comforting if you live alone.

Fortunately I’ve not had to call for help, but one evening I dropped the device and instantly her voice asked if I needed assistance...I did not, but it was nice knowing how quickly the device responded....

I’m never without it no matter where I go now. And the joy is that the cost is covered by my Medicare Advantage plan!

Richard T.
Cathedral City, CA
1 Star

December 23 2019 8:54PM

Total scam, Poor customer service. Will add a account just for asking for info. Charged a credit card BEFORE the system was shipped or activated. Refused to cancel charge even after equipment was returned UNOPENED and NEVER activated. Continually send e-mail to activate system that was returned. Sent a paper agreement to sign and return..i.e contract (Bill) So....you want a contract for equipment that YOU have and was returned. Bottom line is do your homework and BEWARE of sham/scam companies!

Robert L.
El Paso, TX
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