ADT Medical Alert: Costs, Systems, and Plans

ADT Medical Alert Systems

Although ADT does not offer as many different systems as Medical Guardian or MobileHelp, it still covers all the basics. You can choose between three systems to keep you safe in your home, outside, or somewhere in between. You can also add fall detection for $11 a month.

Medical Alert Basic System

The ADT Medical Alert Basic System, ideal for older adults with landlines who primarily stay home, offers a 300-foot range for the help button, sufficient for most residences. It’s also highly affordable at $31.99 per month, with free shipping and a one-time activation fee of $99.

If you choose annual billing with this system, you’ll pay a yearly $359.88, effectively bringing your “monthly” costs down to $29.99.

>>Read more: The Best Medical Alert Systems

Utilizing a base station and a help button, it connects users directly to ADT's monitoring center for coordinated emergency assistance from loved ones or responders.

One major advantage of the basic plan is home temperature monitoring, which alerts ADT emergency response personnel if the home temperature rises above a safe level. Older U.S. adults have higher rates of dying in fires compared to the general population: 2.6 times the risk for people ages 65 and older and 4.4 times for those 85 and older.2

The Expert Take

From Cody McGonagill

Firefighter/EMT

One night during my shift as a firefighter, we received an emergency call reporting a fire in a residential structure from a third-party caller. Upon arrival, my team and I found a house engulfed in flames, with approximately 30% of the structure affected. The caller was unsure if anyone was inside, but upon one crew entering, they managed to rescue an elderly individual. I share this story to illustrate that such emergencies can and do occur. Features like temperature monitoring could prove invaluable if you have a loved one who may struggle to evacuate during emergencies.

Medical Alert Plus System

The Medical Alert Plus System is a cellular-based option, slightly more advanced than the Medical Alert Basic system. It offers 600-foot coverage. No landline is needed, making it ideal for those with strong cellular service who enjoy yard activities like reading outdoors, playing with the dog, or gardening.

For an additional $11 per month, users can add automatic fall detection. This potentially lifesaving feature automatically contacts the monitoring center without a button press. Other features include additional help buttons for $14.99 (one-time) followed by monthly $3 fees, and an optional Waterproof Wall Mount Button ($2.99 per month).

The system itself costs $39.99 per month, plus a $99 activation fee. Additionally, if you pay for this system annually (a lump sum of $455.88), your effective monthly payment will be $37.99.

On-The-Go Medical Alert System

ADT's On-The-Go system is a portable, cellular medical alert for active adults, which now features an optional Integrated Fall Detection built directly into the device. The unit includes a built-in speakerphone for direct communication with ADT's monitoring center and GPS tracking to locate users.

The On-The-Go system is $41.99 monthly, or $479.88 annually ($39.99/month), making it an affordable mobile option. It includes optional fall detection for $11 per month. As with the other systems, activation costs a one-time $99.

The Expert Take

From Cody McGonagill

Firefighter/EMT

While working in an ambulance, we received a call to assist a confused elderly person found by the police. His family was in the process of moving him to assisted living within the next couple of weeks when he had the worst case of confusion they had seen. He left his house, walked down the street, and was lost. Fortunately, a bystander found him and called 911. This incident underscores the importance of GPS tracking on medical alert devices, which can be invaluable for both the elderly and mentally handicapped individuals in similar situations.

ADT Monitoring

Each of ADT’s medical alert systems features two-way talk, meaning that ADT’s emergency response personnel are available 24/7, 365 days a year to talk directly to those who experience a fall or emergency. This is especially nice since an emergency response (ambulance, fire department, etc.) is not always needed at the home.

Sometimes, all a person needs is a caregiver to be notified of the situation. With that said, those who experience a fall with an ADT Health medical alert system will go through the following steps:

1. Press the help button: The user presses the help button or utilizes the optional fall detection to send an alert to ADT.
2. ADT responds: An ADT emergency response personnel member receives the call, discusses the situation, and determines the type of assistance needed for the wearer.
3. Help is contacted: After deciding on a course of action, ADT emergency response personnel reach out to loved ones, caregivers, or emergency responders, depending upon the specific situation.

There are no automatic monthly tests with ADT; however, each month a light will appear on the device to remind users to test their system for any technical issues. This testing ensures that the medical alert device works even if it is not used for an extended period.

ADT SOSecure App

Although ADT hasn't created a dedicated caregiver app for its conventional medical alert systems, SoSecure bridges this gap by providing older adults with emergency assistance features directly on their mobile devices.

SoSecure's appeal for senior users lies in its accessible interface. Based on their technical confidence and circumstances, elderly individuals can rapidly request assistance using either the SOS Chat function or the easy-to-use SOS Slider. The application's widget feature allows direct placement on the device's home screen, eliminating the need to scroll through menus in an urgent situation.

The Guardian capability establishes an extensive care network. When users trigger an SOS alert, their chosen family contacts and friends receive automatic notifications. ADT's round-the-clock surveillance provides expert emergency assistance when required, while live location tracking enables relatives to monitor their family member's whereabouts and routine movements. In essence, it transforms your mobile phone into a medical alert device.

Best of all, this app is completely free to use!

The Policies

Another plus of ADT is its customer-friendly pricing policies. For example, the Price Lock Guarantee ensures that the customer’s monthly price will never be raised. Additionally, no long-term contracts are required, which is a huge advantage in my eyes. Life is unpredictable, and it is nice to know that there is no chance of being stuck in a contract that requires you to pay more for a system that does not fit your needs.

Last but not least, ADT medical alert systems come with what the company calls a Premium Protection Plan, which will either replace your system for free or for a small deductible outlined in your subscriber agreement.

Purchasing from ADT

To purchase a medical alert system from ADT, visit their website. Here, you’ll be able to take a closer look at each system and its costs and requirements one. When purchasing through their website, you can also add additional devices such as lockboxes, wall buttons, or extra pendant or wristband buttons.

While $31.99 might seem low for an advanced medical alert system, it’s essential to recognize that ADT, like most medical alert providers, leases its equipment rather than selling it outright. The $31.99 you pay is your subscription cost, meaning once you’re done with your system, you simply have to cancel your service and return the equipment to ADT.

Purchases can be made online or by phone with a credit card and an address. Shipping is free with all of the systems.

ADT Pricing Comparison

ADT vs. Life Alert

While Life Alert is undoubtedly more widely known than ADT’s medical alert systems, ADT performs better at a much lower price point. Life Alert’s basic in-home system starts at $49.95 per month, whereas ADT’s month-to-month package costs $31.99. Additionally, Life Alert requires a three-year contract, whereas ADT only requires a monthly commitment.

In our tests, ADT response agents answered calls in an average of 14 seconds—fast compared to the 120-second average we experienced with Life Alert, where many calls took over two minutes to connect.

ADT vs. MobileHelp

Overall, MobileHelp’s systems will be more affordable than ADT’s. Its home systems, landline and cellular, cost $25.95 per month, no equipment fees required. Mobile options are similarly affordable, with its Solo system costing $35.95 per month.

That said, in our MobileHelp review, we found that the company’s response times were slightly slower than ADT’s, averaging 26 seconds. Similar to ADT, MobileHelp currently offers no app for caregivers.

ADT vs. Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical’s in-home plans start at $27.95 per month—about $4 less than ADT’s Basic plan at $31.99. That said, Bay Alarm’s fall detection pendant is priced similarly to ADT’s at around $10–$11 per month, and both companies charge a one-time activation fee. ADT’s annual billing brings its effective monthly cost down to $29.99.

Bay Alarm Medical also offers a companion caregiver app at no extra charge—a feature ADT does not include in any plan. If caregiver connectivity is a priority and budget is tight, Bay Alarm Medical’s lower starting price and included app give it an edge. However, ADT’s Price Lock Guarantee means your rate will never increase, unlike Bay Alarm's

>>Read more: Bay Alarm Medical Costs

ADT vs. Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian’s in-home plans start at $31.95 per month—essentially the same as ADT’s Basic plan at $31.99. Fall detection is similarly priced at around $10/month for both. Where Medical Guardian distinguishes itself on cost is its wider range of system options, including a $29.95/month plan, giving shoppers a bit more flexibility at the lower end.

Medical Guardian also includes a caregiver app at no additional cost, whereas ADT does not offer this feature at any price tier. If you want caregiver connectivity without paying extra, Medical Guardian has the pricing advantage there. However, ADT’s activation fee is the same $99 as Medical Guardian’s, and ADT’s annual plan brings its monthly cost down to $29.99.

>>Read more: Medical Guardian Costs

Is ADT Worth It?

Overall, ADT offers top-notch devices with key features, including fall detection, waterproof pendants, and a price lock guarantee. While ADT’s prices are not the lowest we've seen (for example, MobileHelp costs as low as $24.95 per month), their stellar customer service and durable equipment make them a great option for anyone looking for a medical alert system.

ADT is a company that focuses on what they do best. There are no flashy smartwatches or wall-mounted buttons. With that said, ADT fits right in with the best. When it comes down to it, ADT is a trusted, accredited company with over a century of experience. From ADT, you can expect a top-notch response team for any type of lifestyle.

If you’re looking to protect a loved one, whether in or outside their home, ADT offers a good selection of systems that will do just that.

To learn more about medical alert systems, be sure to check out our helpful guides:

• Alternatives to Life Alert
• Best Medical Alert Bracelets
• Life Alert Costs
• Life Alert Review
• Best Medical Alerts with GPS