Lifeline Medical Alert System

We combed through product manuals, customer reviews, fine print, & more to vet Lifeline medical alerts..
Good fall detection option
Lifeline
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$29.95
/mo
  • pro
    AutoAlert fall detection
  • pro
    Advanced location technology
  • con
    Expensive price

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Cathy Habas
Nov 03, 2022
bullet5 min read

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Lifeline (formerly Philips Lifeline) gives its users the flexibility to feel safe at home and on the go with features like AutoAlert fall detection, up to six forms of GPS tracking, and easy-to-install equipment.

That said, Lifeline isn’t a budget-friendly medical alert system. It costs about the same as an internet bill, making it a tough sell for many people without the extra cash. Plus, additional charges like activation fees and even self-installation fees can hike up the price. 

pro
Pros
pro Advanced fall detection prevents false alarms
pro 6 location technologies for bringing help to you
pro Medication dispenser service
pro Custom help list
con
Cons
con Self-installation charges
con No wall or shower buttons

Cost of Lifeline medical alert systems

Lifeline costs a minimum of $29.95 per month, which is about average for a medical alert system. But the equipment on sale for this price requires a landline and isn’t designed for more active adults. Even with this modest price, you’ll still have to pay an activation fee of $50 and pay for installation whether you hire a professional ($99) or do it yourself ($24.95).

Every plan requires an installation fee. Even do-it-yourselfers will have to account for an additional $25 tacked onto their initial bill. Thankfully, this isn’t a feature seen in many medical alert systems, but at least the installation fees are consistent for every plan. Self-installation is always an extra $20, and professional help is an additional $100 no matter what package you choose.

The good news is there are more affordable medical alert systems, but they may not have the features Lifeline does. So while you pay a hefty fee for this service, the tech you get is high quality.

bullet
Save money and stay connected with an AARP membership

With an AARP membership, you can get a 15% discount on a Lifeline medical alert system, in addition to discounts on hotels, restaurants, prescriptions and more. You also get the AARP magazine, access to virtual learning programs, and can connect with other AARP members in your community.

Compare Lifeline packages and prices

Package
Monthly price starts at
Installation fees
Other fees
Fall detection
Location technology
Connectivity
Learn more
$24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro)$50.00 activation fee
bulletNo
bulletNo
Landline or cellular
$24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro)$50.00 activation fee
bulletYes
bulletNo
Landline or cellular
$24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro)$99.95 device fee
bulletYes
bulletYes
Cellular

Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. 

Lifeline medical alert equipment

Lifeline has three main packages for all activity levels. The emergency pendant is the heart of all these systems. In the HomeSafe Standard package, you can wear the Lifeline as a bracelet or pendant and call for help with a single button.

These alert devices are all waterproof too, so you can take them in the shower, pool, or out in the rain.

HomeSafe Standard or AutoAlert

Philips HomeSafe System

The HomeSafe Standard and HomeSafe with AutoAlert connect to your landline or local cellular network. We’re personally fond of the AutoAlert system because it comes with automatic fall detection, making it easy to call for help if you fall.

Both systems have long battery life and are easy to set up. The cellular and landline systems take only a few minutes to install, but you can opt for professional installation and orientation for $99.

On the Go

The On the Go medical alert from Lifeline is designed for independent older adults. It's a fully cellular, pendant-only package that comes with built-in AutoAlert for falls and five forms of location technology.

While the On the Go device costs nearly $50 per month, it’s a good investment if having a fall outside your home is a possibility. 

Optional voice extender

Lifeline's voice extender is a unique piece of equipment that very few medical alert companies sell. It acts like a secondary base station for larger homes, making it possible for you and Lifeline's professional monitors to hear each other during an emergency.

The Lifeline voice extender costs an extra $10 a month.

Lifeline medical alert technology

AutoAlert fall detection 

Most medical alert systems consider fall detection a separate service, selling it as an add-on in a different pendant or wristband. Lifeline’s fall detection, also called AutoAlert, comes included in two of its packages.

The Lifeline fall detection pendants use an accelerometer, a barometer, and specially designed algorithms to measure speed, height, and pressure to sense falls. If you take a sudden spill on the stairs, your Lifeline pendant will notice and allow you 30 seconds to get up on your own.

If you’re unable to move or respond, a monitoring professional will contact you through the two-way communicator on the device. Falls are a serious threat to adults 65 and older. So, while this feature can be expensive, it may be worth the investment. We consider it one of the best medical alert systems for fall detection.

Lifeline's advanced location technology

The location technology in the Lifeline medical alert system uses multiple methods of tracking and pinpointing so help can find you no matter where you are.

A-GPS: Also called “assisted GPS,” this technology uses a satellite network to pinpoint the device’s location. It’s the most common form of location technology used in medical alert systems and can be helpful in public places like malls or parks. Learn more about how GPS works.

Wi-Fi: You’d be hard-pressed to find a place without Wi-Fi. That’s why Lifeline added a feature that connects to nearby Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels, restaurants, or homes to help first responders find your location.

Location breadcrumbs: Unlike Hansel and Gretel, you won’t get lost in the woods with this tech. This feature takes ongoing snapshots of your location throughout the day to create a digital trail of where you’ve gone.

Two-way communication: If these other systems fail or cannot connect, the two-way intercom built into the device lets you speak to a Lifeline pro. These trained professionals will call for help from your friends, family, or first responders depending on your needs.

Audio beacon: This feature emits a loud siren to help assistance get to you faster. The audio beacon is especially useful if you’re stuck in a dark place or hidden from plain view.

In-home communicator: This feature sends a signal to the in-home communicator to contact help from Lifeline. You’d have to opt for one of the GoSafe units for this feature, though.

Compare Lifeline to other medical alert companies

Brand
Best for
Lowest monthly price
In-home range
Backup battery
Landline option available
Learn more
Best overall1000 ft.32 hrs.
bulletYes
Best GPS tracking options1300 ft.32 hrs.
bulletYes
Most trusted name600 ft.20 hrs.
bulletYes
Best for fall detection800 ft.30 hrs.
bulletYes
Best at-home system1,300 ft.32 hrs.
bulletYes

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*$19.95 Medical Alert starting price for landline in-home system with annual plan paid up front. Month-to-month plans start at $27.95/mo.

Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. 

Final word

Lifeline is expensive, but you get what you pay for. The engineers and designers at Lifeline have thought their product through. The HomeSafe and On the Go packages are well designed, durable, and created to give you peace of mind. Just be ready to carve out room in your budget for this equipment.

Lifeline medical alert FAQs

Yes, you may be eligible for a free medical alert system from Lifeline if you're enrolled in one of the following plans:

  • Humana Medicare Advantage
  • TRS-Care Medicare Advantage
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage

 

Learn more: Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Medicare?

Yes, AARP members get a 15% discount on Lifeline's monthly monitoring fee. The activation fee ($50 value) and shipping fees are also waived.

How we reviewed Lifeline medical alerts

Lifeline has an in-depth website with information about its equipment, policies, and pricing. So we read all of it. We combed through product manuals, customer reviews, fine print, and more to get a complete picture of what it’s like to be a Lifeline customer before creating this review.

We’ve also done the same with Lifeline's competitors like Bay Alarm Medical and Life Alert. Learning more about these other companies gave us a frame of reference to how Lifeline’ prices and product packages compare to similar services.

To learn more about our policies for reviews and articles like this one, read our full methodology.

Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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