Medical alert systems allow subscribers to connect with an emergency call monitoring center 24 hours a day, seven days a week by simply activating a lightweight, wearable help button. These high-tech systems are designed to be exceptionally reliable, user-friendly and virtually maintenance-free, making medical alert systems ideal for older adults who want to remain independent as they age.
MobileHelp is a medical alert company based in Boca Raton, Florida, that offers a variety of in-home and mobile medical alert systems. MobileHelp’s call monitoring services are provided by Rapid Response, an established monitoring company that operates two redundant call centers in Corona, California, and Syracuse, New York, to ensure all calls for help are answered promptly.
This guide covers MobileHelp’s medical alert systems, monitoring services, features and costs, as well as the pros and cons of subscribing to MobileHelp.
What You Should Know
MobileHelp offers a number of in-home and mobile medical alert systems, and many of MobileHelp systems work on AT&T’s nationwide cellular network, so no landline connection is needed. The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and all MobileHelp’s devices are certified by the Federal Communications Commission, FDA-registered and Underwriters-lab certified.
In order to ensure the safety and security of subscribers, Rapid Response/MobileHelp emergency operators have either a minimum of a two-year Associate’s degree or two years of military service, and they must pass extensive pre-employment background checks and drug screening.
All MobileHelp neck pendants, wrist buttons and fall detection help buttons are 100% waterproof, making them safe for use in wet environments such as the shower.
|
MobileHelp Classic |
MobileHelp Wired Home |
MobileHelp Touch |
MobileHelp Duo |
Mobile Duo |
MobileHelp Solo |
| Connection |
AT&T 4G LTE |
Landline |
AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled |
AT&T 4G LTE |
AT&T 4G LTE |
AT&T 4G LTE |
| Range between base station and help button |
Up to 1400 feet |
Up to 1300 feet |
Not available |
Up to 600 feet |
Up to 600 feet |
Up to 600 feet |
| Fall detection |
Available |
Available |
Available |
Available |
Available |
Available |
| Help button type |
Pendant or wrist-mounted |
Pendant or wrist-mounted Optional waterproof wall-mounted button |
All-in-one pendant with speakerphone and panic button |
In-home pendant or wrist-mounted button Mobile all-in-one pendant |
Two all-in-one pendants with speakerphone and panic button and one synced wrist or pendant-style button |
All-in-one pendant with speakerphone and panic button and one synced wrist or pendant-style button |
| GPS tracking |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
MobileHelp Plans and Prices
MobileHelp plans are available on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis, and the monitoring cost includes the use of all medical alert hardware.
Plan pricing starts at $19.95 per month for the entry-level MobileHelp Classic system, and fall detection costs an additional $10 per month. There’s no activation fee, and MobileHelp Connect, an insurance plan that covers the cost of lost or damaged equipment, is available for an additional $5 per month on all MobileHelp systems.
MobileHelp subscribers can also enroll in MDLIVE, a service that allows users to connect with a board-certified physician over the phone or through a virtual visit, for $9.95 per month.
MobileHelp’s Wired Home system costs $24.95 per month, and MobileHelp Duo is $41.95 per month. The 2-in-1 Mobile Duo system is $44.95 per month, and MobileHelp Solo is $37.95 per month.
Pros and Cons of MobileHelp
When choosing a medical alert system, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each company, the devices offered, and the add-on features. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of MobileHelp:
MobileHelp Pros
- U.S.-based monitoring has two redundant call centers.
- Emergency response operators are carefully screened and thoroughly trained.
- Call response service is available in over 240 languages through a real-time interpreting service.
- Fall detection is available on all MobileHelp systems.
- No landline is needed.
- MobileHelp’s Classic system range is up to 1400 feet between the help button and the base station, one of the greatest ranges in the industry.
- Wrist button straps are latex-free.
- Up to 16 help buttons, including wall-mounted buttons, can be linked to the MobileHelp Classic base unit.
- Up to three help buttons are available with a single Duo or Solo base unit.
- Systems are designed for easy self-installation.
- MobileHelp Connect online portal provides authorized users with access to a secure dashboard that includes data about the device location (on GPS-enabled systems), battery status and account information.
- MobileHelp’s mobile devices include a user-rechargeable battery rated to last 24 hours per charge.
- Base stations have a built-in backup battery that provides up to 30 hours of power in the event of a power outage.
- Neck pendants and wrist buttons include maintenance-free batteries rated to last up to five years.
- Mobile devices weigh 3 ounces and are about the size of a deck of cards.
MobileHelp Cons
- The fall detection feature doesn’t detect 100% of all falls.
- While users can cancel their service at any time, they will be charged a processing fee.
- There’s no refund on accounts with credits of $15 or less remaining when service is canceled.
- Pricing can be difficult to understand.
- Most MobileHelp systems only work in areas with good AT&T cellular coverage.
- MobileHelp Duo, Mobile Duo and MobileHelp Solo devices must be placed on the included charging cradle daily.
