ANSWERS: 1
  • Life Alert acts as a personal emergency-response system that automatically calls support services in case you have a surprise medical condition, such as a heart attack. Unfortunately, you probably will have to pay for this system out of your own pocket.

    The Facts

    Medicare will not pay for emergency-response systems such as Life Alert, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Even private insurance rarely covers Life Alert unless it is medically required by a doctor.

    Expert Insight

    Some hospitals and nonprofits will help you pay for an emergency-response system such as Life Alert, but only if you are considered economically disadvantaged, the FTC says.

    Considerations

    Although it might be hard to subsidize a Life Alert system, you can defray some of the upfront costs of it by renting or leasing it, according to the Better Business Bureau.

    Why Medicare Does Not Cover Life Alert

    In general, Medicare does not cover long-term assisted care for a person. Because Life Alert also has a monthly subscription fee, it is considered long-term assisted living.

    Tips

    Check to see if your residential community offers an Area Agency on Aging, which helps seniors in all aspects of life, including getting a Life Alert system, by using the Eldercare Locator.

    Source:

    Federal Trade Commission; Personal Emergency Response Systems

    Better Business Bureau; FTC - Personal Emergency Response Systems

    LifeAlert.com; Long Term Care - Is it Right for You?

    Resource:

    Eldercare Locator

    Life Alert Homepage

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