Are Medical Alerts Available for Free with Medicare?

When an older person lives alone, is medically fragile, or is at high risk of falling, they need a way to call for help fast if an emergency occurs. That’s because getting help at the right time can help prevent an accident or health crisis from turning into a significantly worse situation.

In other words, these seniors need a crucial health tool – a medical alert.

Given that medical alerts are so important for health, you might wonder whether you can get them for free through Medicare or other health insurance. It’s a smart question – so read on as we answer it below.

Can I get a medical alert device for free through Medicare?

If you’re an elderly person or their caregiver, you probably already know that Medicare has four parts – A, B, C, and D.

Medicare Part A is for hospital stays, so that doesn’t apply to medical alerts. Part B is medical insurance, covering equipment like canes as well as some preventive healthcare. You might think that would mean it covers medical alerts, but unfortunately that’s not the case. You can’t get a medical alert device or personal alarm through Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part D is for prescription drugs, so that’s not applicable, either.

Now let’s talk about Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. This is private insurance that covers what’s in Part A and B plus some extras.

Can you get a medical alert through Medicare Part C?

The answer depends on the policies of your Medicare Part C provider. Since they are a private insurer, they can decide what they’ll pay for. They may contribute toward the costs of a medical alert or personal alarm. So, if you’re curious, get in touch with your Medicare Part C insurer.

But there’s one thing to keep in mind even if you can get help paying for a medical alert through Medicare Part C. Your insurance provider may restrict your options because they already have an agreement with a particular medical alert company. This can be a problem if the device your insurer has chosen doesn’t suit your needs.

Will my health insurance pay for a medical alert device?

Does other health insurance besides Medicare pay for medical alerts? Most often, the answer is no. However, since insurance plans vary so widely, it’s possible that your plan might provide some assistance.

Let’s dive a little deeper into some specifics.

As you likely know, Medicaid coverage is determined by each state. In some states, Medicaid may help with medical alerts as a type of home and community-based service.

Long-term care insurance, which is designed for people who need significant care and support, may also assist with paying for medical alerts.

If your insurance provider covers or partly covers medical alerts, there may still be some barriers to getting one. You may have to have a particular medical condition to qualify or provide proof that you truly need a medical alert device.

Lastly, it’s worth considering that, again, your insurance provider will likely restrict what type of medical alert you’re allowed to get.

One way to save money when getting a medical alert device

There’s one more thing to think about when it comes to your insurance coverage.

Do you have a health savings account or flexible spending account?

Both of these types of accounts let you spend pre-tax income on health needs. That means you could be saving significantly by not paying tax on that money.

However, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are no longer usable after retirement. And after age 65, many people are no longer eligible to contribute to a health savings account (HSA). But you can still use the funds in the HSA on qualified healthcare expenses. Check with your specific HSA plan or with a financial advisor if you’re unsure – other details like a spouse’s situation may affect what you can do. If you do have useable money in an HSA after age 65, a medical alert might be a great way to spend those funds.

Are there any devices with no monthly fee?

The idea of getting a medical alert device through a one-time expenditure rather than a subscription sounds like it could be great.

However, there are no devices that work that way. And it makes sense if you think about it. A medical alert gives you an ongoing service, much like a television or phone provider.

If you’re looking to save money (and who isn’t?), the best thing to do is to find a medical alert provider with a low monthly fee. At SureSafe, for example, we provide US customers with high-quality medical alerts at lower monthly prices than most others available in the US market.

Get protection for your elderly loved ones from SureSafe

Is a medical alert that important?

Yes. Just like a seatbelt, bike helmet or fire alarm, it can be lifesaving in the right circumstances. And the rest of the time, it provides priceless peace of mind for the alarm user and others.

Older people are particularly vulnerable to falls – they’re more likely to fall and more likely to experience serious consequences from a fall. What makes a difference here is getting assistance fast, even if the elderly person lives alone.

Likewise, the elderly may be at risk of health emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and seizures. These are all situations where help needs to come right away – and seconds can count.

With a medical alert device from SureSafe, seniors can use a simple SOS button to call for help near-instantly. But SureSafe devices do so much more. While older types of alarms only work inside the home, SureSafe mobile alarms with GPS tracking work anywhere.

Even better, they let family members track their elderly loved one so they can come to them if needed. The device’s geo-fencing technology can alert family members if the alarm wearer leaves a pre-set safe zone. That’s perfect for seniors with dementia who are at risk of wandering or just getting lost while outside.

SureSafe medical alerts offer fall detection technology, too. This means that the device uses multiple types of sensors that feed into an algorithm to assess whether a fall has happened. Once the device believes it has sensed a fall, it calls for help independently, even if the alarm wearer is unconscious. That’s another layer of peace of mind for those who worry about what will happen if their loved one can’t press a button.

If this all sounds good to you, why not reach out to us to talk more about what SureSafe alarms can do? You can fill out our contact form, call our helpline at 888 540 7193 or email us at [email protected]. You can live chat with us, too, or request a call back.