Facts for Consumers
Personal
Emergency
Response
System
Produced in cooperation with the American Association of Retired Persons
A Personal Emergency Response System
(PERS) is an electronic device designed to let you summon help in an emergency.
If you are a disabled or an older person living alone, you may be thinking about
buying a PERS (also called a Medical Emergency Response System).
How a PERS Works
A PERS has three components: a small radio transmitter (a help button carried or
worn by the user); a console connected to the user's telephone; and an emergency
response center that monitors calls.
When emergency help (medical, fire, or police) is needed, the PERS user presses
the transmitter's help button. It sends a radio signal to the console. The console
automatically dials one or more pre-selected emergency telephone numbers. Most systems
can dial out even if the phone is in use or off the hook. (This is called "seizing
the line.") Most PERS are programmed to telephone an emergency response center where
the caller is identified. The center will try to determine the nature of the emergency.
Center staff also may review your medical history and check to see who should be
notified.
If the center cannot contact you or determine whether an emergency exists, it will
alert emergency service providers to go to your home. With most systems, the center
will monitor the situation until the crisis is resolved.
Transmitters
Transmitters are light-weight, battery-powered devices that are activated by pressing
one or two buttons. They can be worn on a chain around the neck or on a wrist band,
or they can be carried on a belt or in a pocket. Because the transmitter is battery-powered,
the batteries must be checked periodically to ensure they work. Some units have
an indicator to help you know when to change batteries.
The Console
The console acts as an automatic dialing machine and sends the emergency alert through
the phone lines. It works with any private telephone line and generally does not
require rewiring. If you have more than one phone extension, a special jack or wiring
may be required to enable the console to seize the line.
Emergency Response Center
There are two types of emergency response centers - provider-based and manufacturer-based.
Provider-based centers usually are located in the user's local area and are operated
by hospitals or social service agencies. Manufacturer-based operations usually have
one national center. Sometimes, consumers who purchase systems can choose between
provider-based and manufacturer-based centers, but consumers who rent systems from
a PERS manufacturer usually must use its national center.
Purchasing, Renting, or Leasing a PERS
A PERS can be purchased, rented, or leased. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid, in most
states, will pay for the purchase of equipment, nor will most insurance companies.
The few insurance companies that do pay require a doctor's recommendation. Some
hospitals and social service agencies may subsidize fees for low-income users. Purchase
prices for a PERS normally range from $200 to more than $1,500. However, some consumers
have reported paying $4,000 to $5,000 for a PERS. You also will have to pay an installation
fee which may cost from $50 to $300.
Rentals are available through national manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals,
and social service agencies. Monthly fees may range from $15 to $50 and usually
include the monitoring service.
Lease agreements can be long-term or lease-to-purchase. If you lease, review the
contract carefully before signing. Make special note of cancellation clauses, which
may require you to pay a cancellation fee or other charges.
Before purchasing, renting, or leasing a system, check the unit for defects. Ask
to see the warranty and service contract and get any questions resolved. Ask about
the repair policy. Find out how to arrange for a replacement or repair if a malfunction
occurs.
If a PERS salesperson solicits you by phone, and you are interested in the device,
ask for information about prices, system features, and services. You can then use
the information to comparison shop among other PERS providers. If the salesperson
is reluctant to provide information except through an in-home visit, you may want
to consider doing business with another company. In-home sales visits can be high
pressure, and the salesperson may urge you to buy before you are ready to make a
decision.
Before doing business with companies selling PERS, you may want to contact your
local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General's Office, and Better Business
Bureau (BBB). Ask if any complaints have been filed against the companies you are
considering. You also may want to get recommendations from friends, neighbors, or
relatives who use emergency response systems.
Shopping Checklist
To help you shop for a PERS that meets your needs, consider the following suggestions:
- Check out several systems before making a decision.
- Find out if you can use the system with other response centers. For example, can
you use the same system if you move?
- Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of each system and compare costs.
- Make sure the system is easy to use.
- Test the system to make sure it works from every point in and around your home.
Make sure nothing interferes with transmissions.
Questions to Ask the Response Center
You also may want to ask questions about the response center:
- Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
- What is the average response time?
- What kind of training does the center staff receive?
- What procedures does the center use to test systems in your home? How often are
tests conducted?