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Our Verdict
One Call Alert’s Emergency Response System is available with several affordable plans that are easy to set up and use for around-the-clock emergency assistance, increasing peace of mind for older adults and their loved ones.
Key Features
- Cellular systems connect to nearby AT& T towers and don’t require customers to have a landline, cell phone or WiFi connection
- No long-term contract required
- Simple setup (and it’s easy to test systems to ensure they’re working correctly)
One Call Alert’s parent company MobileHelp was founded in 2006 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida. In addition to One Call Alert, MobileHelp also has a health management services division called Clear Arch Health.
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- The MGMini is the smallest and lightest mobile device on the market
- Powerful device with step counting, activity tracking, GPS, fall detection (optional)
- Water-resistant and shower-proof with up to 5 days of battery life
- Can be worn in two ways: Around the neck or attached to a belt clip
- Available in 4 colors: Pearl, Silver, Black & Rose Gold
Consumers checking out the websites of MobileHealth and One Call Alert will see the same products under slightly different names; for example, MobileHelp’s in-home landline-based system is called “Wired Home,” whereas One Call Alert’s product is called “In-Home Landline.” A customer service support agent for MobileHealth confirms they’re the same devices, but the two companies serve different customers—Mobile Help is the consumer-facing business while One Call Alert devices are primarily found in clinical settings and pharmacies nationwide.
Some online reviewers say they find pricing for One Call Alert services confusing, the company appears to offer consistent and reliable emergency service protection and solid customer service.
One Call Alert Emergency Response System at a Glance
- Plan options: One Call Alert offers several emergency alert plans that work via a home-based landline system, a home-only wireless system or a mobile device that can be worn on a lanyard around your neck or attached to your belt or wrist.
- Fall detection: Its newest fall button pendant (released in 2020) is waterproof and rechargeable, and it works within 600 feet of the mobile device and 1,400 feet of the device’s base station.
- Average monthly costs: Monitoring service for One Call Alert systems typically cost around $30 a month.
How Does the One Call Alert Emergency Response System Work?
While the specific One Call Alert system and plan you may choose can vary, all plans offer:
- 24/7 emergency monitoring with live operators
- A free 30-day trial period
- A free lockbox, which you can place where you’d like outside your home (One Call Alert files the box’s code and location for local authorities to use in case of an emergency, so they can enter quickly without damaging your home)
Flexible payment plans (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually)
- Optional fall detection for an additional $10 a month
- Two-way speakers to speak with an emergency call center representative who alerts emergency response personnel if you say you need help or are unable to answer
One Alert’s cellular systems don’t require users to have a landline, cell phone or Wi-Fi connection. “The equipment we provide uses AT&T’s cellular service, and this is included in the price you pay for our plan,” according to a One Call Alert customer service representative. “You don’t have to subscribe to AT&T to utilize our service. It works for any subscriber as long as they live in an area that has AT&T cellular coverage.”
Should you press the emergency button on your system, after alerting the appropriate local authorities, the operator calls your emergency contacts, which can be up to four family members, friends or neighbors. The operator will go down this list one by one until someone is reached.
One Call Alert Plans
One Call Alert offers six system options with various pricing structures.
All in One
The smallest of One Call Alert’s devices with a sleek black design, the All in One system comes with a wearable, water-resistant, GPS-enabled mobile device with a detachable lanyard. It features a large help button, a two-way speaker and GPS coverage both in and away from home.
Automatic fall detection can also be enabled through the mobile unit for an additional $10 a month (with other plans, fall detection is available via a separate device). It can be worn in the shower, but it cannot be worn by someone with a defibrillator or pacemaker. On this device, the speaker is inside the neck pendant unit (whereas with other plans, the speakers are in the base unit, which the All in One doesn’t require).
Payment options:
- $347.40 a year
- $173.70 every six months
- $101.85 every three months
- $33.95 a month
In-Home Landline
This system comes with a waterproof wearable neck pendant containing a built-in, two-way speaker that keeps the wearer connected to an emergency operator 24/7. The device works within a range of up to 600 feet from the base station.
Payment options:
- $275.40 a year
- $137.70 every six months
- $74.85 every three months
- $24.95 a month
In-Home Wireless
The In-Home Wireless system comes with a wireless help button in a pendant you can wear on your wrist or around your neck. The pendant has a 32-hour battery backup and works within a 1,400-foot range of your home.
Payment options:
- $359.40 a year
- $179.70 every six months
- $98.85 every three months
- $19.95 a month
Note: This plan is usually only recommended for people who are homebound, says Nick Downarowicz, MobileHelp’s senior director of digital marketing and new channels. “The $19.95-a-month promo also comes with a $49.95 processing fee to set up [the system], so there is a bit more cost associated with it for the first year,” he adds.
Mobile On-the-Go
A small waterproof device that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck on a lanyard, the Mobile On-the-Go device offers GPS-enabled tracking, which can be helpful for customers who might wander. Users press the big gray button to alert an operator that they’re in need of assistance via a small speaker on the bottom of the device.
Payment options:
- $395.40 a year
- $197.70 every six months
- $104.85 every three months
- $37.95 a month
Complete Protection
For emergency response protection at home and while you’re out, this system provides a wearable waterproof mobile wrist or lanyard help button with GPS tracking and a home base station with built-in speakers.
Payment options:
- $443.40 a year
- $221.70 every six months
- $119.85 every three months
- $41.95 a month
Mobile Double
Couples living in the same home can both benefit from One Call Alert systems at considerable savings compared to buying them as individuals. The Mobile Double system comes with two water-resistant, all-in-one devices that can be used at home or on the go. The devices have two-way speakers and are GPS-tracking enabled.
Payment options:
- $479.40 a year
- $239.70 every six months
- $128.85 every three months
- $44.95 a month
The Cost of One Call Alert Emergency Response System
Plans start at $20 a month and can go as high as $42 a month for one person. Meanwhile, plans for couples in the same home cost $40 to $45 a month.
Optional fees include an insurance plan (“Connect Premium”) for $60 a year that replaces lost, stolen or damaged equipment. One Call Alert also notes on its website that “certain fees, typically $29.95, may be charged when replacing equipment and/or upgrading services. However, such service charges are waived forConnect Premium customers.
Be sure to ask whether there are any current promotions when selecting your preferred system, and consider additional fees for equipment, setup or delivery when ordering.
The Fine Print
Plan prices are subject to change without notice, as the company says on its website. Also, the medication reminder feature is only available with the In-Home Wireless and Complete Protection systems, and the Fall Button option is not available with the In-Home Landline plan.
Wearability is a factor, too. “Some older adults don’t like wearing a pendant, as it can feel bulky or embarrassing,” says Laura Herman, a certified nursing aide and dementia and eldercare consultant in Jacksonville, Oregon. “Some other companies offer very small, discreet or even decorative options.”
What Experts Say About One Call Alert
There’s no particular age that indicates someone might need a medical alert system, but they can provide peace of mind for frail older adults with health issues, says geriatric physician Theodore Strange, M.D., chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York.
In certain circumstances, a medical alert system might be more helpful than a phone in an emergency—if, for example, they’re GPS-enabled, operators can figure out where the person is without them having to speak and help the operator pinpoint their location, says Dr. Strange.
“If someone has fallen or has had a stroke, time is of the essence—we need to get to them quickly,” says Dr. Strange, who mentions that a medical alert system made his mother feel more secure when she was alone.
Dr. Strange says he has seen patients who developed additional problems from sitting on the floor for hours when they were unable to call and alert anyone for help. Over several hours, the skin and muscles can start breaking down, and not being able to move due to a stroke can result in damage to the kidneys or liver, in addition to skin infections, he says.
It’s important to note, however, that no fall detection system is 100% effective, says Herman. “And if your loved one won’t remember to wear or activate the pendant or wristband, One Call Alert won’t help.”
But if tested, properly charged and worn consistently, One Call Alert is a solid choice for people who might need it, she says.
“One Call Alert is a widely trusted company with strong, positive reviews for its excellent customer service and affordable service plans,” says Herman. “It’s also available for couples as a mobile double plan at substantially less than twice the price.”
You May Also Be Interested In Medical Alert Systems For Home Use From Our Featured Partners
Medical Guardian MGClassic
- Service starts at $29.95 a month
- In-home range is 1,300 feet
- Translation services for emergency response available in 70 languages
- Automatic fall detection available for additional $10 per month
Bay Alarm Medical In-Home Medical Alert
- Service starts at $24.95 a month
- All packages include a choice of wristband or necklace alert wearable
- 24/7 live agent will initiate 2-way conversation, assess the situation and make sure you’re taken care of
- No minimum contract lengths
GetSafe Medical Alert System
- Equipment costs start at $79, service starts at $27.95 a month
- Medical alert buttons are 100% waterproof with a 5 year battery life
- Get help by pushing a button, pulling a cord, or simply saying “Call 9-1-1. Call 9-1-1.”
- No landline required
MobileHelp Classic
- Service starts at $19.95 a month
- Remote activation with 1400 ft. range
- Waterproof help button
- No landline required
LifeFone At-Home Landline
- Service starts at $24.95 a month
- In-home range is 1,300 feet and wearable button range is 1,300 feet
- With 32-hour backup battery
- Free system activation
(Note: Product details and price are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do One Call Alert Systems cost?
Plans start at just under $20 a month and can go as high as $42 for one person. Plans for couples cost $40 to $45 a month.
Are One Call Alert Systems worth it?
Older adults might not bring their phones into the bathroom, and they certainly wouldn’t bring one into the shower with them, notes Dr. Strange. Some One Call Alert devices can be worn in the shower, which can be a lifesaver for someone who needs to call for help when no one else is around.
Are One Call Alert Systems easy to set up and use?
You can order One Call Alert systems online or in brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart, RiteAid, CVS and Publix. Setup is simple: If your device has a home base unit (which comes with the Wireless and Complete Protection systems), simply plug it in. To test the system, press the gray button and wait to be connected to an operator, which should take less than one minute. In a real emergency, you can speak to the operator via the speakers to communicate that you need help. If you’re unable to speak, the operator will send emergency responders anyway.
