Merging smart technology with the protection of a medical alert system, QMedic’s devices are a great — dare I say, smart — way to keep your loved one safe. With easy setup and minimal equipment to navigate, QMedic provides 24/7 support from emergency responders and added features such as activity monitoring.
A QMedic system is a great way to not only keep your loved one safe, but also keep track of their overall well-being.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to personal emergency response systems, then check out my comprehensive guide to medical alert devices to learn about systems, their costs, and how to use them in your home.
QMedic Pros and Cons
After extensive testing, here are my overall thoughts on QMedic:
QMedic Pros
24/7 active and proactive alerts: QMedic provides 24/7 mobile-phone alerts and an accessible and responsive online caregiver dashboard. QMedic’s system automatically measured my movement and sleep patterns through my wearable help button, and sent notifications directly to the caregiver dashboard when it detected abnormalities.
Durable help buttons: QMedic offers a comfortable, wearable help button. The button is waterproof, so you don’t need to take it off in the shower. You can access the help button anytime, and keep it on without noticing.
Two-way communication: You don’t have to constantly check whether your system is in range. QMedic’s base station has a speakerphone and a 1,000-foot connectivity range, so it’ll likely work anywhere in your home.
30-day trial period: My QMedic system came with a 30-day money-back guarantee, during which time I could have returned it for a full refund.
QMedic Cons
No fall detection: QMedic claims many fall-detection systems experience false alarms, which leads users to avoid regularly donning their wearable help buttons. This is one of the reasons the company decided not to include fall detection in its systems.
One year of payment up front: QMedic’s price is comparable to that of other medical alert systems, but you’ll be required to lease its equipment on an annual basis — meaning the up-front costs will be higher.
QMedic Systems Overview
QMedic offers three medical alert systems:
Cellular Medical Alert System: This system is easy to install and includes a bracelet or pendant with a waterproof help button. Complete with a two-way base station speaker, the system is ideal for high-risk individuals who require more care and a reliable wearable that can monitor them 24/7. For caregivers, the system also provides data and wellness reports to track progress and monitor users. It’s priced at $300 annually.
Mobile GPS Medical Alert System: This $400 system was designed for active users who run errands but still need security and peace of mind. The Mobile GPS system comes with a water-resistant neck pendant and boasts two weeks of battery life. It doesn’t require a long-term contract.
Landline In-Home Medical Alert System: This system’s base station needs to be attached to a landline-phone wall jack. The landline system is not currently listed on QMedic’s website, but you can still purchase it over the phone.
FYI: As a smart medical alert system, QMedic can control the way calls and alerts are routed after you press your help button. Once the help button is activated, it will automatically route to the 24/7 call center or alert one of your preferred contacts.
QMedic Medical Alert Features
Two-Way Talk
Yes
Connectivity
Landline or cellular
Average Response Time
30 seconds
In-Home Range
800 to 1,000 feet
Fall Detection
No
Caregiver Portal
Yes
Using My QMedic Medical Alert System
After receiving my QMedic Cellular Medical Alert System, I opened the box and found the following:
1 wristband help button
1 base station with a speakerphone
1 instruction manual
Installation
When I received my system, I first filled out the Care Contacts Intake Form with a list of trusted contacts the QMedic call center would reach out to if given access.
Next, I plugged in the in-home base unit, which has a speakerphone and help button of its own. I waited until the center button turned green. Once it lit up, I knew it was connected and ready to go. When I pushed the help button, I was connected to a QMedic representative, who then connected me to a first responder or one of the trusted contacts on my Care Contacts Intake Form.
Overall, I was very pleased with the ease of installing the system. I also was pleased with the accompanying wrist bracelet, which had a visible blue help button for emergencies.
Did You Know: QMedic currently operates its systems in 46 states, partnering with Medicaid health plans throughout the U.S.
Testing QMedic Medical Alert System
Testing the QMedic Medical Alert System was easier than I thought. After plugging it in, I waited until the green light lit up, and then the device let me know the help button was activated. After I received a voice command confirming the help button triggered an alert to the 24/7 call center, I used my handy stopwatch to time. It took approximately 30 seconds to hear from an operator at QMedic. That response time is standard, but longer than the response times of some competitors.
I tested my wrist wearable when I stepped outside for a walk. It wasn’t heavy or clunky, and after a while I forgot I was even wearing it. I was about 800 feet away from the in-home base unit, which helped me feel like I could do whatever I wanted without worrying about range. I started the testing process by pressing the blue button in the center of the waterproof wrist wearable, which triggered the in-home base unit, calling the 24/7 call center.
QMedic Caregiver Dashboard
It’s helpful to have more smart technology options for monitoring loved ones. The QMedic caregiver dashboard includes features for compliance and call history, as well as other ways to monitor your loved one.
It also tells you whether the user is currently wearing their device or they need to be reminded to wear it, and breaks down the time the device was worn throughout a day or month. QMedic uses smart technology to gather data and identify irregular movement or sleep patterns that may trigger an emergency response or alert a trusted care contact. If the caregiver dashboard identifies something out of the ordinary, a QMedic operator will call. The caregiver dashboard also lets caregivers opt in for text or email alerts, which provide convenience and real-time data about the system or user activity.
To test my system’s caregiver features, I took off my wristband and went about my day. Later that afternoon, my husband received a text message informing him that I was not wearing my device. With nearly half of adults over 65 suffering from memory impairment, I thought this feature would come in handy. I also made several test calls to QMedic’s monitoring center. Even from a different room, my base station was able to pick up my voice and project audio loudly and clearly.
QMedic Medical Alert Systems Pricing
QMedic only lets you lease its equipment, instead of buying it. My QMedic cellular system cost $300 for a year, which is $25 per month. That’s a pretty good price for an in-home system, but I wasn’t a fan of being required to pay for it up front.
QMedic’s mobile system — which is also leased — is billed annually at $400. Unfortunately, QMedic does not have fall detection.
For more information on QMedic’s systems and their costs, visit the QMedic pricing page.
Pro Tip: Looking to save on a medical alert? Be sure to check out our guide to the best cheap medical alert systems.
Final Thoughts on QMedic
QMedic’s advanced activity and compliance monitoring, customization options, and support for caregivers make it stand out. Although I have concerns about the company’s limited payment-plan options and lack of automatic fall detection, I think it’s a great solution for caregivers or family members who want to better care for an aging loved one.
Detailed caregiver features: The online caregiver dashboard gives caregivers an overview of a user’s sleep, activity, and other daily patterns. If you live far from your loved one or you can’t be with them frequently, QMedic’s caregiver features offer a great way to make sure they’re safe.
Responsive 24/7 call center: When users need immediate assistance, they can push the help button on their in-home base unit or wearables. The call will be routed to a QMedic operator, who will then alert a first responder if there’s a medical emergency.
GPS tracking: The Outdoor Mobile GPS system is ideal for active users. It pinpoints your location and alerts your care contacts in the event of a medical emergency when you’re on the go.
I wouldn’t recommend QMedic if you want:
Month-to-month billing: All of QMedic’s systems require you to pay in full for a year. I had no problems with my system (and therefore didn’t need to return it), but other medical alert providers, such as Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian, allow you to pay on a monthly basis.
Fall detection: QMedic does not have the option of fall detection. If your loved one is prone to falls in their home, then I’d recommend choosing a device from my list of best systems with fall detection.
QMedic Medical Alert System Frequently Asked Questions
If you lose your in-home wearable button, you can contact QMedic by phone and enter option 1 to be connected to a representative. In-home wearable buttons are replaced free of charge, but a lost mobile device requires a replacement fee.
Written By
Amie Clark
Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here