LifeFone: Plans, Features & Pricing

Established in 1976 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LifeFone has been selling medical alert systems and monitoring services for nearly 50 years. The LifeFone call center is located in New York state, and the company operates two additional backup call centers to ensure every call for help is answered promptly.

As with most other medical alert providers, LifeFone offers a number of in-home and mobile devices and services geared toward seniors and people living with disabilities. All LifeFone systems include either a neck-worn or wrist-worn emergency call button that connects the user with the LifeFone call center through either an in-home base unit or a speaker built into the pendant.

In this guide, we take an in-depth look at LifeFone’s medical alert systems, as well as the price plans and optional add-on features and devices.

LifeFone Features

In addition to their basic medical alert systems, LifeFone offers a number of value-added options that may help seniors stay safe and independent. Medication reminders, daily outbound safety check calls, fall detection and a fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detection package can all be added to create a customized emergency monitoring and response system.

Another unique feature of LifeFone is the integrated temperature sensor in all units except the At-Home & On-The-Go GPS, Voice-In-Necklace. If the system detects temperatures that are excessively high or low, the monitoring center will activate the emergency response plan. This feature could be helpful if a subscriber becomes incapacitated while outside during the winter, or is exposed to exceptionally high temperatures due to fire or a heat wave.

LifeFone’s wearable devices are water-resistant and can be worn in the shower or bath, and fall detection is optional on all four systems.

LifeFone Plans

LifeFone offers six medical alert systems that start at $24.95 and go up to $45.95 per month, based on a prepaid annual plan. Activation is free, and prices are guaranteed for as long as the subscriber remains a customer of LifeFone.

Optional features and devices can be added to each system such as a wall-mounted call button, a jewelry-style pendant help button, a combination lock box and daily medication reminders and safety checks. Subscribers can also add LifeFone Activity Assurance to either At-Home system for $6 per month, and the LifeFone daily check-in call service is available for $19 per month on any system.

LifeFone’s medication reminder service costs $6 per month and is available on all systems, and the service includes access to the LifeFone Caregiver Portal, an online app that gives loved ones access to information about the LifeFone system and settings.

GPS location services are available on all LIfeFone cellular systems and cost $9 per month for up to 30 location requests, while 30 additional location requests cost an extra $5 per month.

LifeFone At-Home Landline

Device Information

As LifeFone’s entry-level medical alert system, the At-Home Landline system includes a wrist button, pendant and base unit equipped with a speakerphone that can be activated up to 1300′ away through the help buttons. The batteries in the help buttons are non-rechargeable and rated to last for 2 to 5 years.

Pricing

This package starts at $24.95 per month. Fall detection can be added for an additional $5 per month, and a wall-mounted call button can be purchased for $39.95.

LifeFone At-Home Cellular

Device Information

The LifeFone At-Home Cellular system is designed for subscribers who don’t have a landline phone. It uses AT&T’s cellular network to connect callers through an in-home base unit that has a maximum 1300′ range between the unit and help buttons. It includes a 32-hour battery backup to keep the base unit powered in the event of a power failure, and the batteries in the help buttons are non-rechargeable and non-replaceable.

Pricing

This package starts at $30.95 per month. A fall detection pendant can be added for $5 per month.

LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go GPS

Device Information

Designed for subscribers who want medical alert protection at home and in the community, the LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go GPS system includes an in-home base station, a small mobile base station, a help button pendant and wrist-worn help buttons. To use the system outside of the home, subscribers need to carry the mobile base station, which is equipped with a microphone and speaker.

Pricing

Monthly costs start at $36.95. Fall detection can be added for $10 per month.

LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go GPS, Voice-In-Necklace

Device Information

The LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go GPS, Voice-In-Necklace is an all-in-one, cellular-connected medical alert pendant that eliminates the need for an in-home or mobile base unit. The neck-worn pendant includes GPS location technology and a speaker and microphone that allow users to talk with the LifeFone operator through the pendant. It’s important to note that this pendant is larger than the other LifeFone pendants, and it needs to be charged by the user every 5-30 days using the included charging cradle.

Pricing

Monthly costs start at $39.95. Fall detection can be added to this package for $5 per month.

LifeFone Complete Home Package

Device Information

The LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go VIPx offers a small and lightweight mobile alert device that clips easily to a belt or fits in a pocket. The rechargeable unit lasts for up to 16 days on a single charge. The device utilizes cellular signals to keep owners connected, provides optional fall detection, and comes with the Caregiver App for loved ones to keep track of the user.

Pricing

Plans start at $41.95 per month. Fall detection is available at an additional $5 monthly.

LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go Smartwatch Active

Device Information

For customers who need a convenient medical alert device wherever they go, the LifeFone At-Home & On-The-Go Smartwatch Active may be the best choice. This smartwatch provides GPS tracking and nationwide connectivity, along with optional fall detection and location request. The smartwatch can track the wearer’s steps, measure their heart rate, provide a weather report, and more. It also provides 24 hours of active-use battery life or 16 days of standby battery life.

Pricing

Plans start at $45.95 per month. Fall detection is available at an additional $5 monthly.

Pros and Cons of LifeFone Devices

As with all medical alert systems, there are pros and cons with LifeFone products and services.

Pros of LifeFone:

• Established company based in the United States
• U.S. call center with two backup call centers
• All LifeFone devices come with a lifetime guarantee
• No activation fees
• Subscribers who pay in advance can earn one free month of service and a free PIN-protected lock box
• Second subscriber in the same residence can be added to the plan for free, and this includes a free help button (for in-home systems)
• No limit on the number of contacts who are notified in case of an emergency
• Daily safety checks and medication reminder services can be added for a fee
• Prices are guaranteed to never increase for all new subscribers
• No contract – service can be canceled at any time and any prepaid amount is refunded on a prorated basis
• GPS location tracking available on On-The-Go systems
• Optional equipment includes a wall-mounted help button, vanity pendant button, beaded lanyard and wall-mounted or hanging combination lock boxes
• Battery in wristband/pendant does not need to be charged
• LifeFone monitors the battery life of the in-home wearable devices and will replace the device at no charge when the battery capacity falls below 20%
• LifeFone users can move their system to another location at no cost
• The LifeFone call center uses a 1-800 number so subscribers are never charged long-distance fees

Cons of LifeFone:

• Pricing can be difficult to understand
• Costs for optional services such as fall detection and daily check-in services are extra and can add up quickly
• Users must replace low batteries in pendants and wrist wearables themselves
• The On-The-Go GPS pendant is relatively large and must be worn around the neck in order for fall detection to work
• About 5% of falls are not detected by LifeFone’s fall detection pendants

Who Should Use LifeFone Medical Alert Systems?

LifeFone offers a number of optional features and devices that can be customized to the needs of each user. LifeFone may be a good solution for seniors who need a wearable emergency call device that also provides the added peace of mind that comes with daily safety checks, medication reminders and fall detection. It’s important to note that LifeFone is one of the few companies that offer monitored fire, smoke and carbon monoxide protection along with medical alert services.