Medical Alert Cost Calculator

Medical alert systems are usually sold by the month, so the real cost is easy to underestimate. A monthly monitoring fee, a device or activation charge, and an add-on for fall detection all stack up, and most families keep the service for years. This free calculator adds it all up over one to five years and puts the total next to TapOkay Free ($0) and TapOkay Pro ($29.99 a year).

Who it is for

It is for adult children comparing options for a parent, and for older adults who want to stay independent without paying more than they need to. If a provider has given you a quote, enter its numbers. If not, the starting values are typical published prices and give you a sense of scale.

How to use it

1. Choose a device type: an in-home system on a landline or cellular, a mobile GPS pendant, or a medical alert smartwatch.
2. Set the monthly fee and any one-time device or activation fee from your quote.
3. Tick fall detection if you would add it, and set its monthly price.
4. Pick how many years to compare. The totals update as you go.

A fair comparison is about features, not only price. Medical alert systems include 24/7 monitoring that TapOkay does not. TapOkay is a daily check-in: one tap says you are okay, and if you miss it, the family members you chose get an alert with your last location. For some people that is all they need; for others, a monitored button is worth paying for. Read when a check-in app is a good medical alert alternative and our guide to what a medical alert system costs before you decide.

Ask any provider about contract length, cancellation fees, whether the device must be returned, and whether the price rises after an introductory period. Those details often change the total more than the monthly fee does.