Medical alert systems are convenient and safe choices for people with critical health conditions. They can be sure that help is just a click away during emergencies. But for the additional expenses involved in getting a medical alert system, would you get a Medicare cover? Is there a medical alert covered by Medicare that would save you money?

Read on to find out.

What is Medicare?
As a federal health insurance option, this one helps elderly citizens above 65 years of age to manage their medical bills conveniently. The major components of this are Part A, Part B, and Part D. Part A takes care of hospital admission-related expenditures, and Part B takes care of durable medical equipment expenses. Part D takes care of prescription drugs.

There is a separate set of plans called MA plans or Medicare Advantage plans, and these are sometimes referred to as Part C of Medicare. Some patients opt for this as additional coverage for outpatient services and other medical expenses. But none of these include medical alerts covered by Medicare. So, to really understand about medical alerts covered by Medicare plans, you should talk to your Medicare insurance provider.

What is a medical alert system?
Personal or medical emergency response systems (PERS and MERS) comprise devices, most of which use wearable technology to automatically monitor bodily functions. For patients with critical conditions like heart problems, these systems trigger an alert if anomalous readings are observed. The alerts are sent to the hospital, and help will be available on time. This does not come directly under preventive medicine or therapeutic health care, and so it is not part of most Medicare plans.

Costs incurred
When it comes to getting a medical alert system, there is a one-time installation charge, equipment costs, and activation expenses. Recurring costs like security features, monitoring frequency, and other add-ons also add to the total bill. While most equipment might cost $100 or more, recurring costs are in the range of $20 or more depending on the kind of services you opt for.

Tips to save money on medical alert systems
How to save money on medical alert systems if your Medicare plan does not cover them?

• While Medicare is mostly for the elderly and physically challenged, Medicaid is a more flexible option for younger people in the low-income group as well as the elderly. So, if you need to cover medical alert systems, check whether you are eligible for Medicaid and if there is a Medicaid plan that can cover the costs.
• Some medical insurance providers offer good discounts on negotiation. This can help you save some money even if you do not get full coverage on the medical alert system costs.
• Choose a low-budget medical alert system that does not come with too many overheads. A small chunk of the expenses can also be cut down by choosing whether you need a landline unit or not. The effective cost depends on the devices you add, like bracelets and pendants.
• If nothing else works, you can enquire about the cost you can save in the form of a tax rebate on the expenses of medical alert systems.

While the eligibility criteria, advantages, and the other fundamentals remain the same for most Medicare plans, there are tiny variations in terms of the additional discounts you can get. Spend some time gathering information about trusted Medicare providers and compare your options before investing in one. Call up and speak to the team directly instead of making decisions merely based on the information you find on their website.