Bay Alarm Medical is one of the longest-standing and highest-rated medical alert companies on the market. The company was among the pioneers of the industry, supporting seniors that wish to age in place with dignity. The high-quality service is highlighted by their stellar A+ rating at BBB and their certification from Underwriters Laboratories.
From the start Bay Alarm Medical provided reliable assistance through their waterproof help button. Over time they expanded their arsenal with fall detection, vial of life kits and, most importantly, a fully mobile button that uses GPS to pinpoint the wearer’s location. Nowadays the range is so varied that the company offers branching pricing options so elderly residents can match the service to their wallet.
- How Does Bay Alarm Medical Work?
- Does Bay Alarm Medical Have Fall Detection?
- Is Bay Alarm Medical Available in Canada?
- How Much Does Bay Alarm Medical Cost per Month?
- What Is Bay Alarm Medical’s Phone Number?
- Where Is Bay Alarm Medical Located?
- What Are the Complaints About Bay Alarm Medical?
- Are There Promo Codes for Bay Alarm Medical?
- Is There a Free Trial Available With Bay Alarm Medical?
- How Does the Cancellation of Bay Alarm Medical Work?
How Does Bay Alarm Medical Work?
Bay Alarm Medical customers are offered peace of mind through the combination of medical alert equipment and the company’s monitoring service. The heart of the system is the base station, accompanied with a waterproof button that can be worn as a pendant or a wristband. When pressed a signal is sent to the base station, which then immediately calls the operators on a toll-free number.
Bay Alarm Medical employs a team of highly trained monitoring agents that is ready to receive any incoming call day or night, even during holidays. After pushing the button, the operators establish a connection through the main hub. The device houses both a set of speakers and a microphone so the user in need can talk through it and listen to the agent’s advice. If the situation calls for it, the staff will dispatch the paramedics.
Medical alert devices are designed to be easy to install, even if the senior is not particularly tech-savvy. The main station must be plugged into the power outlet, and if it’s not a cellular model then it will need to be connected to a landline. After that, the button must be activated in order to test the connection. The unit usually features blinking lights to indicate its current status. The company’s website features tutorial videos on how to do the setup, too.
Bay Alarm Medical, just like other medical alert companies, rents out the equipment to its customers. In this way the devices are provided for free, meaning the user only needs to pay the monthly monitoring fee. However, advanced systems – such as the mobile GPS button – do have a one-time fee.
Does Bay Alarm Medical Have Fall Detection?
Yes, they wouldn’t be able to rank so high on the top of our list otherwise. Fall detection is a must-have for any company specializing in personal emergency systems. Bay Alarm Medical customers have two options available: either they can purchase a separate fall detection button for any of the two at-home base stations, or opt for the mobile button that incorporates fall detection technology.
The company has fit its fall detection pendants with refined sensors and gyroscopes that are capable of detecting a difference between everyday movements (such as lying down on the bed) and an unexpected collapse. Should the latter happen then the button will send out an automated help signal at which point the operators will investigate the situation.
Bay Alarm Medical manages to walk a fine line between false alarms and picking up on the nuanced signs of a fall. That’s why they added a magnetic clasp as a second line of defense, whereby if the magnetic link is separated the alarm signal is activated. But even with such precautions it’s impossible to predict a fall with 100% accuracy, which is why seniors should always push the button manually if they are able to do so.
Is Bay Alarm Medical Available in Canada?
Unfortunately, no. Bay Alarm Medical doesn’t directly specify whether their service reaches beyond the borders of the U.S., but it’s the only country that Bay Alarm Medical officially supports when purchasing the service. Therefore the product can only be bought by U.S. citizens.
For seniors in Canada looking to preserve their independence, we recommend picking another company. Philips Lifeline, for instance, is one of the most popular services in the country.
How Much Does Bay Alarm Medical Cost per Month?
It’s not easy to sum up Bay Alarm Medical’s pricing list since the length and the monthly fee varies for each product. Currently the company offers three types of products: an in-home medical alert system, a mobile button with GPS and a bundle that includes the previous two plus a vial of life kit. Regardless of which one you pick there are three subscription periods: month by month, quarterly and semi-annual.
Free 30-Day Trial
Free 30-Day Trial
Free 30-Day Trial
The in-home medical alert system starts from $19.95 per month. Opting for a longer subscription won’t reduce the price, but you’ll receive extra benefits such as free shipping. The GPS button costs $29.95 per month, but it also requires a one-time device fee of $49. Finally, the bundle package costs $39.95 per month, with the additional fee for the GPS button waived when choosing the semi-annual plan.
Is Bay Alarm Medical BBB Rated?
Absolutely, and the company is very proud of its stellar A+ rating. They were accredited by the organization in February 2009 and, ever since, Bay Alarm Medical has only received a handful of complaints, most of which were related to billing issues or a direct problem with the service itself. Some reviews also report poor customer support and the fact that cancelling the service or requesting a refund is complicated.
We should point out, though, that the company swiftly responded to most of the complaints, and these BBB users have reported that the resolution was satisfactory for them.
What Is Bay Alarm Medical’s Phone Number?
The company’s toll-free phone number is 1-866-592-2648. They don’t shy away from offering help, displaying it right at the top of the site. Both the helpdesk and the sales department can be reached via this number. Other alternatives for troubleshooting include 24/7 live chat and the option to submit written inquiries.
Where Is Bay Alarm Medical Located?
The company’s headquarters is located at 2600 Stanwell Dr, in Concord, California 94520. The address can easily be found on its website, and is the address to use should you need to send your equipment back to them.
What Are the Complaints About Bay Alarm Medical?
Despite being a high-quality service, Bay Alarm Medical isn’t completely free of issues. Our reviewers have found that the accessory list lacks several useful items, including a medication dispenser or environmental alarms. Additionally, the customer service team responsible for answering sales and account related inquiries are only available during work hours.
Many seniors – especially those who live alone in poor conditions – find the pricing way too expensive, despite its flexible nature. And while the system works seamlessly in most cases, every now and then people may experience slow responses – although such instances are rare.
Most customer complaints from the BBB seem to focus on the topic of cancellation and shipping. Bear in mind that every medical alert company enforces strict rules on returning its equipment in flawless condition, otherwise the billing is continued. This method of handling cancellation and refund requests by Bay Alarm Medical is not out of the ordinary, and we have found that they act correctly and as outlined within their policies.
Are There Promo Codes for Bay Alarm Medical?
Bay Alarm Medical often features seasonal discounts and special promo codes. During Black Friday or Christmas, they typically lower their fees to make the offers even more attractive. The company also offers limited-time gifts for new customers, such as free socks or accessories.
Although they don’t feature permanent promo codes, there are bonuses that can be applied by everyone. For example, choosing the quarterly or semi-annual plan provides free ground shipping on the equipment, and selecting the longest subscription will get you a free lockbox. If you are interested, you can learn more about these options in our coupon section.
Members of senior organizations such as USAA, AARP, American Seniors Association or AMAC should give Bay Alarm Medical a call on 1-866-592-2648 to ask about the availability of discounts and other benefits that they can enjoy as part of their membership. There are certainly membership discounts to be had, though Bay Alarm Medical never lists these on its own website.
Is There a Free Trial Available With Bay Alarm Medical?
Yes, but you still need to pay for the service and system to try it out. Despite advertising it as a ‘trial’, what Bay Alarm Medical actually offers is a 30-day money back guarantee. After purchasing the equipment you will have one month to test the service and decide whether you wish to send it back or not.
If you do want to have your money back, the full package must be shipped back to the company within the first 30 days. The day the company receives the equipment marks the point at which they will close your account and begin the refund process, so it is highly recommended to avoid leaving this decision to the last moment.
How Does the Cancellation of Bay Alarm Medical Work?
Cancelling the service is free and it can be done at any time. However, it’s important to know that it is not possible to cancel the account with a simple phone call. The system and all of its accessories must be mailed back via UPS. Be sure to hold onto your tracking information to have proof that the items have indeed been returned.
The day the package arrives at Bay Alarm Medical is when the staff will close your account. However, there are often delays on the company’s side, therefore it is essential to give them a friendly reminder over the phone. Take our advice and don’t leave the task until the last moment: if the shipping is late or the support team fails to terminate the account in time, they’ll charge you for a month of unwanted and unusable service.
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