Does Medicaid pay for a medical alert in Washington?

By Carol Bennett, Senior EditorUpdated October 13, 2026How we evaluate

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The short answer

Yes, but only for people who live alone, are alone much of the day with no provider, or when no one at home can secure help. Washington's Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems lists a medical alert, if your parent qualifies for nursing-home-level care. It is part of the regular Medicaid plan, not a waiver.

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What stands out in Washington

1 Washington Medicaid program we read names a medical alert; it serves older adults. It sets a condition on who can get one. (Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems)
For 2027, 4 Medicare Advantage plans in Washington list a medical alert, down from 13 in 2026. 11 of 39 counties have at least one, down from 39 in 2026. Pierce and Spokane have the most, 4 each. (CMS benefit files, 2026, CMS benefit files, 2027)
Medicare lists 353 equipment suppliers here, about 27 for every 100,000 people aged 65 and over. Seattle has the most, 28. (CMS supplier directory, Census ACS 2020-2024)

Washington's Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems lists a medical alert

Medicaid calls it a PERS.

Programs for older adults
Program	Who it serves	Medical alert?	Source
Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response SystemsState planCondition: For people who live alone, are alone much of the day with no provider, or when no one at home can secure help.	Medicaid clients meeting nursing facility or ICF/IID level of care (CFC is a 1915(k) State Plan option; PERS was removed from COPES per DSHS)	Lists a medical alert	Read the sourceChecked October 12, 2026 What it says “Personal emergency response systems (PERS), which are basic electronic devices that enable you to secure help in an emergency” “Personal emergency response systems (PERS), which are basic electronic devices that enable you to secure help in an emergency when: (a) You live alone in your own home; (b) You are alone in your own home for significant parts of the day and have no provider for extended periods of time; or (c) No one in your home, including you, is able to secure help in an emergency.”
COPES Waiver (0049.R09.00)	Individuals ages 65 or older, and individuals with physical or other disabilities ages 18-64 who meet a nursing facility level of care	Does not list one	Read the sourceChecked October 13, 2026 What it says “Provides adult day health, adult day care, client support training & wellness education, community choice guiding, community support: goods and services, environmental modifications, home delivered meals, skilled nursing services, specialized medical equipment and supplies, and transportation services to individuals ages 65 or older, and individuals with physical or other disabilities ages 18-64 years who meet a nursing facility level of care.”

One phone call starts the application

Call DSHS Home and Community Services intake: 877-429-7019

Ask for a “personal emergency response system” under the Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems program. What else to ask

4 Medicare Advantage plans here list a medical alert

How CMS marks these

Find a county

AdamsNo plans listed

AsotinNo plans listed

BentonNo plans listed

ChelanNo plans listed

ClallamNo plans listed

ClarkNo plans listed

ColumbiaNo plans listed

CowlitzNo plans listed

DouglasNo plans listed

FerryNo plans listed

FranklinNo plans listed

GarfieldNo plans listed

Medicare lists 353 equipment suppliers here

Home equipment, not alerts; price labels explained

Find a city

Equipment

Aberdeen2 suppliers

Arlington2 suppliers

Auburn5 suppliers

Bainbridge Island1 supplier

Battleground1 supplier

Belfair1 supplier

Bellevue11 suppliers

Bellingham13 suppliers

Blaine1 supplier

Bonney Lake2 suppliers

Bothell5 suppliers

Bremerton5 suppliers

Lift chairs · Medicare and lift chairs · Adjustable beds.

25.4% of older Washington residents live alone

People 65 and over who live alone: 25.4%; 329,518 people. Census ACS 2020-2024. Census source
Deaths from falls, age 65+, per 100,000: 96.7; Age-adjusted, 2024. CDC source

All states

If nothing pays, the monthly bill is yours

Original Medicare does not pay; compare prices.

Paying yourself? Medical Care Alert

From $29.95/mo for the Home plan; without a landline, LTE cellular adds $5/mo (price page, October 1, 2026).

See Medical Care Alert plans

Affiliate link. No one else on this page paid to appear.

Questions families ask

Does Medicaid pay for a medical alert in Washington?

Yes: Washington's Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems lists one, with a condition.

Do Medicare Advantage plans in Washington cover a medical alert?

4 Medicare Advantage plans in Washington list a medical alert for 2027.

Data checked October 12–13, 2026. How we built this · Report a correction

Sources

Coverage checklist for Washington

Program: Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems. Call DSHS Home and Community Services intake at 877-429-7019.

Plans (2027)

Wellpoint Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP), Wellpoint (plan ID H8849-016-0)
Wellpoint Dual Advantage Plus (HMO D-SNP), Wellpoint (plan ID H8849-017-0)
Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP), Wellpoint (plan ID H8849-015-0)
+1 more at the link below

Ask: does the Community First Choice (CFC): Personal Emergency Response Systems program cover a personal emergency response system for my parent, and how do we apply?

Data checked October 13, 2026.

https://medicalalertreview.com/coverage/washington