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Original Medicare has never covered medical alert systems — but the more interesting story right now isn't that old rule. It's that some Medicare Advantage plans are actually pulling this benefit back, not expanding it.
The short version
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover medical alert systems, also called personal emergency response systems (PERS) — they aren't classified as durable medical equipment under Medicare's rules. Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer PERS as a supplemental benefit, but this landscape is shifting: several major insurers, including Humana and UnitedHealthcare, have been scaling back or dropping this specific benefit as of 2025. Medicaid, through state Home and Community-Based Services waivers, remains the more reliable coverage path for eligible seniors, and most people paying out of pocket can expect a system to run $25 to $60 a month.
Sources: CMS durable medical equipment classification criteria; 2025-2026 Medicare Advantage supplemental benefit filings.
Why medical alert systems don't count as DME
Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) that's primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, is appropriate for use in the home, and generally has an expected lifespan of at least three years — think wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment. CMS has consistently classified medical alert systems, also called personal emergency response systems (PERS), as falling outside this definition, since they function more as a monitoring and communication service than as medical equipment in the traditional sense.
This classification hasn't changed for 2026, and there's no indication CMS is reconsidering it. Even a physician's recommendation that a patient would benefit from a PERS device doesn't change this outcome — similar to other items Medicare excludes on classification grounds rather than medical necessity, a doctor's involvement doesn't reclassify the device as covered DME.
It's a useful comparison to keep in mind: a hospital bed delivered to someone's home is itself the medical equipment being used to treat a condition. A medical alert pendant, by contrast, doesn't treat anything directly — it's a communication tool that summons help after an event has already occurred. That distinction, between equipment that provides treatment and a device that facilitates a response, is essentially the dividing line CMS applies here, even though both categories of items genuinely matter to someone's health and safety at home.
Medicare Advantage: a shrinking benefit, not a growing one
Since 2019, CMS has allowed Medicare Advantage plans to offer expanded supplemental benefits, and PERS coverage became one of the more commonly adopted options — genuinely more widespread than some other supplemental benefits, since fall-related emergencies are a significant driver of hospitalizations CMS and insurers both want to prevent. For several years, the number of Medicare Advantage plans offering some form of PERS coverage steadily and meaningfully increased.
That trend has reversed. As of 2025, some of the largest Medicare Advantage carriers — including Humana and UnitedHealthcare — have been scaling back or dropping the PERS supplemental benefit from at least some of their plans. This matters directly if you're choosing a Medicare Advantage plan specifically expecting this benefit to be included: confirming it's still offered for the specific plan and year you're considering, rather than assuming a carrier still offers what it did a year or two ago, is now a genuinely necessary step rather than a formality.
This shift is a useful reminder that Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits, broadly, are not permanent guarantees. Insurers reassess their supplemental benefit offerings annually as part of their bid submissions to CMS, weighing the cost of offering a given benefit against how much it actually drives enrollment or retention. A benefit that made competitive sense for a carrier several years ago can be reduced or dropped entirely in a later plan year without much public explanation, which is exactly why re-verifying specific benefits each fall during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period is worth doing even for people who've had the same plan for years.
What Medicaid can cover instead
Medicaid, a separate program from Medicare, offers a more consistent path to coverage for many eligible seniors. Most states cover PERS devices through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, which are specifically designed to help people remain safely at home rather than move into a nursing facility — a medical alert system fits squarely within that goal, since it directly addresses the risk of an unwitnessed fall or medical emergency at home.
Coverage details, eligibility requirements, and the exact application process vary by state, so contacting your state's Medicaid agency directly, or asking specifically about HCBS waiver availability, is the most reliable way to get an accurate answer for your situation.
It's worth understanding why Medicaid tends to be more consistent here than Medicare Advantage: HCBS waivers exist specifically because keeping someone safely at home is typically far less expensive for a state than paying for nursing facility care, giving Medicaid a direct financial incentive to cover a relatively low-cost device like a PERS system if it helps delay or avoid a much larger facility-care expense. Medicare Advantage plans don't share that same direct incentive structure in quite the same way, which may help explain why this particular supplemental benefit has proven less stable than benefits tied more directly to medical care itself.
Home health services vs. a PERS device
It's worth separating two things that sound related but aren't the same. Medicare Part A or B can cover medically necessary home health services — skilled nursing visits or therapy, for example — when a physician certifies they're needed as part of a covered course of care. Those services might genuinely reduce someone's need for a medical alert system by providing regular in-person monitoring and check-ins. But covering the home health service is entirely different from covering the alert device or monitoring subscription itself — Medicare paying for a nurse's visit doesn't extend to paying for the PERS pendant or the monthly monitoring fee, even if both exist for related safety reasons.
What these systems actually cost
Most professionally monitored medical alert systems run $25 to $60 per month in 2026, with systems that include GPS tracking, automatic fall detection, or smartwatch-style form factors generally landing at the higher end of that range. Beyond the monthly fee, many providers charge separate equipment, activation, or shipping fees that can add up to $100 or more upfront, so comparing the full first-year cost — not just the advertised monthly rate — gives a more accurate picture when comparing providers.
| Cost component | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Monthly monitoring | $25–$60 |
| Equipment/activation fee | $0–$100+ |
| Fall detection add-on | Often an additional $5–$10/month |
It's worth pricing out at least three providers before committing, since the range between the cheapest and most expensive options for functionally similar service can be surprisingly wide. In-home base station systems, which rely on a landline or cellular connection at a fixed location, are generally the least expensive option, while mobile, GPS-enabled systems that work anywhere the wearer travels typically cost more, reflecting the added cellular and location-tracking technology involved.
Other ways to save
A few practical options exist beyond Medicare and Medicaid. Many providers offer discounts for AARP members, so checking with a chosen provider directly about this specific discount is worth a phone call before enrolling. Month-to-month leasing, rather than a long-term contract, avoids being locked into a specific provider if your needs or budget change. And some providers periodically offer seasonal promotions or bundled pricing that can meaningfully reduce the upfront equipment cost, even without any insurance involvement at all.
If cost is a genuine barrier, it's also worth asking a local Area Agency on Aging whether any community-based programs in your specific county offer subsidized or loaner PERS equipment, separate from state Medicaid programs — some counties run their own smaller-scale senior safety initiatives that aren't widely advertised but can meaningfully offset the cost for eligible residents.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does my specific Medicare Advantage plan, for this current year, include any PERS or medical alert benefit?
- Does my state's Medicaid program cover PERS devices through an HCBS waiver, and am I eligible?
- What's the total first-year cost, including equipment, activation, and any add-on features?
- Is fall detection included, or is it a separate monthly add-on?
- Does the provider connect to a 24/7 monitoring center, or directly to 911?
- Is there a long-term contract, or can I lease month to month?
- What happens to the monitoring service if I lose power or my internet connection during an emergency?
For general guidance on fall prevention and home safety for seniors, the National Council on Aging publishes practical, non-commercial resources, and AARP maintains consumer guidance on evaluating medical alert system providers.
Common questions about Medicare and medical alert systems
Have a question that isn't answered below? Our full health insurance FAQ page covers more, and our related guides on stair lifts and cataract surgery cover other specific Medicare coverage questions.
Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?
Are Medicare Advantage plans still covering medical alert systems in 2026?
Does Medicaid cover medical alert systems?
Will Medicare pay for a medical alert system if my doctor recommends one?
How much does a medical alert system cost without insurance?
Does it cost more to use a broker to check my Medicare Advantage benefits?
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Disclaimer: This guide is general educational information about Medicare, Medicaid, and medical alert system coverage and is not medical, insurance, or legal advice. Coverage rules, benefit availability, and program details vary by plan, state, and change over time. Verify current details with Medicare.gov, your specific Medicare Advantage plan, your state Medicaid agency, or a licensed Apollo Health Insurance agent before making a purchasing decision. Apollo Health Insurance is a licensed insurance brokerage; we are not affiliated with the federal government or any state agency.
I am a professional content writer specializing in the health insurance field. My work primarily focuses on simplifying the complexities of healthcare coverage, aiming to provide clarity and insight into an often confusing subject. Empowering people to make informed decisions about their well-being is my passion. At Apollo Health Insurance, we share that commitment. Apollo Health Insurance stands at the forefront of securing the best healthcare coverage for individuals, ensuring affordability without compromising on quality.
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