When purchasing a personal emergency response system (PERS), it’s important to consider the services as well as the cost. After all, a good medical alert system can save a loved one, while others may be more pain than gain. Here are some suggestions and questions to help get started on finding the best system that not only saves lives but saves hassle too.
Before buying a Medical Alert System
The Federal Trade Commission advises all medical alert system buyers to review several different systems before deciding. See if the same system can still be used with other response centers, so that if a customer moves they can still receive the same benefits from the original provider. Also try out the medical alert at home and test its functionality in every part of the house, making sure that nothing interferes with the transmission.
Find a medical alert system that is easy to use, so that in an emergency the user can promptly and easily get the help they need. When comparing different systems, be sure to ask about the pricing, features, and services provided with each one. Some medical alert systems will automatically run a test each week to let users know it is still functioning correctly.
Ask Questions About the Response Center
The response center is the hotline which instantly connects to users through their medical alert device. Some providers will have a 24 hour hotline, 7 days a week, but others will not. A medical alert system should be prepared to assist customers at any time. Be sure to ask about this service and seeing if the provider offers it, since medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly.
Also ask about the average response time, the type of training the response center staff receive, and the procedures the center uses to test the medical alert system. How often do they test the system? Also see if the provider has its own response center, as many smaller providers tend to outsource to other emergency medical alert response centers in order to save costs.
The response center should be listed under Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which is the recognized standard for response centers. A response center that is UL listed shows that it meets the high standards of UL, and if the center is not listed then a different provider may be a better option.
Testimonials for Medical Alert Systems
Asking friends, relatives, neighbors, or coworkers about their medical alert system can give a good idea on how efficient the system is. More importantly, it’ll reveal how happy customers really are with their systems, so that new customers can feel more confident and prepared about making their decision.
A helpful website is the Lawserver, which offers reviews on many major medical alert system providers and gives a summary of how the system works as well as the pros and cons to each system. Their “Compare” section includes a handy table listing all the reviewed providers and compares their pricing, the range of the medical alert devices, up-front payments, backup battery life, commitments, refund policy, etc.
Purchasing the Right Medical Alert System
Before making the purchase, contact the Better Business Bureau or the state Attorney General’s Office to see if any complaints have been filed against the provider. If a salesperson is soliciting by phone, ask for information about the device, the services, the pricing, and system features in order to compare different medical alert systems.
A salesperson may insist on an in-home visit to talk in detail about their provider's services. In-home visits are often high pressure and the salesperson may urge customers to buy before they’re ready to. Consider another provider if the idea of an in-home visit is uncomfortable.
Check the Federal Trade Commission website, which has further suggestions on selecting a medical alert system. Before signing the contract, always give enough time to research on different options. A PERS can save the life of its users, and it is worth the time and effort to consider all the factors to find a system that can make the difference in a medical emergency.
Sources:
- Federal Trade Center
- LawServer
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