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Connect America Review
4.5 Overall Rating
Coverage Area
Battery Life
Features
Ease of Purchase
Bottom Line
The CDC reports over 800,000 fall-related hospitalizations yearly, with deaths rising sharply among older adults. A Connect America Medical Alert System can be lifesaving in an emergency.
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About Connect America
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people are hospitalized each year due to falls, and fall-related deaths among older adults have risen by 30% since 2007. If this trend continues, the CDC projects that by 2030, there could be seven fall-related deaths every hour in the U.S. Beyond costly medical bills, the loss of independence after a serious fall can take a significant toll on seniors. A Connect America Medical Alert System can provide critical, potentially lifesaving help if you experience a fall or other emergency.
Since 2004, Connect America has provided personal emergency monitoring and in-home medical alert systems to seniors who want the benefits of aging in place while staying safe and independent. Founded by Ken Gross, a pioneer in the Personal Emergency Response Services (PERS), the Philadelphia-based company is now one of the largest independent PERS providers in North America. Hundreds of thousands of customers, caregivers, and healthcare professionals have used and reviewed Connect America’s products, which include the brands Medical Alert, Alert 911, Alert365, AlertMax365 for Men, Caregiver365, and ConnectVitals (its healthcare division).
Whether you’re active and on the go or prefer to stay at your own home, Connect America offers a medical alert system to match your lifestyle. Whether you rely on a landline, a mobile phone, or no phone at all, Connect America has a device that can work for your situation. Some plans include 24/7 professional patient monitoring, while others provide direct access to 911 at the push of a button for added peace of mind.
Pros
- Wide range of products to suit different needs
- Wearable alarms available as bracelets or pendants
- Fast average emergency response time (under 30 seconds)
Cons
- The wide variety of options can make it difficult to choose the right Connect America system
Connect America Medical Alert Systems Products
Connect America’s Medical Alert lineup includes seven devices designed to fit a range of budgets. For $19.99 a month, the Alert911 connects to 911 emergency services with the push of a button on a device smaller than a cell phone. Higher-level devices come with discounts if you pay six months or a year in advance.
You can try a plan starting at $42.99 before committing long-term. Pricing for Connect America Medical Alert plans is shown below.
The Alert365 product line includes GPS tracking and automatic fall detection.
Caregiver365 provides extra peace of mind by keeping caregivers and family members connected and ensuring help is available quickly.
Finally, ConnectVitals partners with more than 200 organizations nationwide to provide advanced, user-friendly devices and services in the telehealth and Emergency Response Service (ERS) market.
Every Connect America Medical Alert product includes an emergency button that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. The button provides 24/7 access to either 911 or a call center with trained operators who can assess the situation and contact 911 or your designated emergency contact.
With a Medical Alert At Home package, you can also call for help using the button on the base unit.
Connect America Medical Alert Systems Costs
Connect America sets itself apart from competitors by offering flat-rate pricing instead of add-on fees. In other words, your monthly, semiannual, or annual fee covers all services in your plan, with no additional fees for features like GPS and fall detection.
There is no activation fee with Connect America.
| Product | Annual | Semi-Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alert911 Smaller than a cell phone | N/A | N/A | $19.99 |
| Medical Alert at Home (Landline) Waterproof pendant and wrist button, base unit | $239.40 | $299.40 | $27.95 |
| Medical Alert at Home (Cellular) Waterproof pendant and wrist button, base unit, in-home cellular | $359.40 | $419.40 | $37.95 |
| Mobile System – Standard Waterproof, inter-changeable emergency button on pendant or wristband, fall detection, GPS location services | $419.40 | $479.40 | $42.95 |
| Mobile System – Mini (Pendant) Waterproof, belt clip, lanyard, fall detection, and GPS location services | $479.40 | $539.94 | $47.95 |
| Mobile System – Mini (Bracelet) Waterproof, belt clip, lanyard, fall detection, and GPS location services | $479.40 | $539.40 | $47.95 |
| Smartwatch Waterproof, heart rate monitor, voice prompts, and GPS location services | $419.40 | $455.40 | $39.95 |
Connect America Caregiver Mobile App
The Caregiver365 plan includes a mobile app for Android and iPhone that connects you with your family or caregiver. Through the app, only approved contacts can see your location and receive notifications if you press the emergency button or if your device battery runs low. Caregivers can also send you recorded messages and view details such as prescriptions, doctor appointments, allergies, and other health plans and information.
Where to Buy Connect America Medical Alert Systems
You can purchase Connect America medical alert systems through their product websites or by calling the customer service number to speak to an agent familiar with all available options.
When we contacted Connect America for information, the customer service agent was professional, knowledgeable, and personable. She easily answered all of our questions.
Connect America Medical Alert Systems Complaints
Connect America is Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited with an A+ rating, 140 customer reviews, and 338 complaints on record. Connect America responds to every complaint until it is resolved. ConsumerAdvocate gives the company 4.7 out of 5 stars, while ConsumerAffairs readers give it an average 1.1 out of 5 stars with over 1,700 reviews.
Consumer complaints vary across review platforms. Most complaints involve billing issues, limited service coverage, or problems with a faulty system and difficulty obtaining a refund or replacement.
Connect America Medical Alert Systems FAQs
Connect America’s pricing typically starts around $30 per month for basic in-home systems, with costs increasing for mobile devices, fall detection, or additional features. Some plans may require equipment fees, while others include the devices in the monthly price. The company also offers flexible options without long-term contracts, making it easier to choose a plan that fits different budgets and needs.
Some seniors may be eligible for a free or reduced medical alert system through Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, or specific private insurance and health plans, even though the majority of these systems charge a monthly fee. For those who meet eligibility requirements, local aging agencies and community organizations may also offer assistance programs that cover the cost.
Medical Alert from Connect America offers several key benefits, including 24/7 emergency monitoring, fall detection, and options for both in-home and mobile coverage. The service also provides peace of mind through features like caregiver notifications, patient monitoring tools, and access to a trained call center that can quickly dispatch help when needed.
Connect America wireless Medical Alert systems work across North America, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mobile coverage runs on the AT&T network and works as long as you’re in a covered area, even if you’re not an AT&T customer.
Yes. The Response Center employs operators who are native speakers of multiple languages. All operators are trained to use the International Language Line, which provides real-time translation in over 140 languages.
How the system works depends on the Connect America product you choose. All Medical Alert devices, except Alert911, include 24/7 monitoring. If you need help, pressing the emergency help button connects you to an operator under 30 seconds. The operator can dispatch an ambulance or contact your loved ones and will remain on the line until help arrives. Systems with fall detection automatically recognize falls through an accelerometer and alerts the Response Center without you pressing a button. However, if you fall and remain conscious, it is recommended that you press your emergency button.
When choosing a Connect America device, consider whether you are often away from home, whether you want fall detection, and the level of response you prefer (direct to 911, trained operator, or EMT-trained operator). Next, factor in your budget. For more guidance, see Choosing a Medical Alert System: 3 Questions You Need to Ask before selecting your Connect America device.
Connect America features include fall detection, GPS location services, in-home cellular or landline connectivity, round-the-clock emergency monitoring, and an emergency button worn on a pendant or wristband. Some systems also come with caregiver mobile apps, which give seniors and their loved ones more peace of mind by enabling family members to track location, receive alerts, and access critical health information.
Depending on the plan, Connect America usually charges a one-time activation fee of between $49 and $99, and shipping charges typically fall between $10 and $15. It’s worthwhile to check for any current offers before registering, though, as the company occasionally runs promotions that waive these fees.
Conclusion
A Connect America medical alert system not only ensures you can get help during an emergency but also provides peace of mind to loved ones who may worry about you living alone. The Connect America teams works to match the system that fits their lifestyle and needs. Whether you’re in the backyard, traveling, or relaxing at home, Connect America is there so trained operators can respond immediately if an emergency arises.