Medical Guardian Cost in 2026: Prices, Fees & True Annual Total
Medical Guardian monitoring runs about $27.95–$46.95/month as of July 2026 depending on device, plus a one-time equipment fee (about $149.95, or $199.95 for the MGMove watch) and a +$10/month fall-detection add-on. There is no contract and no activation fee. Verify your exact quote with the provider: Medical Guardian does not publish a fixed rate card.
Monthly by device
What Each Plan Costs
| Device | Monthly monitoring | One-time device fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGHome (Landline) | ~$27.95–$31.95/mo | ~$149.95 | In-home, landline required |
| MGHome Cellular (Home 2.0) | ~$34.95–$38.95/mo | ~$149.95 | In-home, no landline needed |
| MGMini (compact GPS) | ~$39.95/mo | ~$149.95 | On-the-go GPS button |
| MGMove (GPS smartwatch) | ~$38.95–$42.95/mo | ~$199.95 | Wrist-worn GPS watch |
| MGMini Lite | ~$42.95–$46.95/mo | ~$149.95 | Compact GPS, budget tier |
Add fall detection to any plan for +$10/month. Prices as of July 2026; verify with the provider.
Medical Guardian does not publish a fixed rate card and prices shift with promotions; figures reflect current third-party pricing research as of July 2026. Confirm your exact quote with Medical Guardian.
The real math
A Worked First-Year Total
The monthly rate is only part of the bill. Take a common setup (the MGMove GPS smartwatch with fall detection) and add it up for year one, using the mid-to-high of the July 2026 ranges:
| Line item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| MGMove monitoring (~$40.95/mo × 12) | ~$491.40 |
| Fall detection add-on (+$10/mo × 12) | ~$120.00 |
| One-time device fee (MGMove watch) | ~$199.95 |
| Estimated first-year total | ~$811 |
Swap in the in-home landline plan without fall detection and the first-year total drops toward roughly $500 (about $30/mo × 12 plus the ~$149.95 device fee). The device you choose, and whether you add fall detection, moves the total more than any promotion does. These are estimates from July 2026 pricing research; confirm the exact figures with Medical Guardian.
The fine print
Fees to Ask About Before You Sign
- One-time device fee: about $149.95 for most devices, about $199.95 for the MGMove watch. This is separate from the monthly rate.
- Fall detection: +$10/month if you want automatic detection. It is never included in the base price.
- Promo-dependent monthly rate: because there is no standing rate card, the monthly you are quoted depends on the current promotion. Ask what the rate reverts to after any intro period.
- Cancellation: there is no contract, and annual plans are prorated and refundable if you cancel, a genuine plus.
Spend less
How to Lower the Cost
The single biggest lever is paying annually, which saves up to about 16% versus month-to-month. Because annual plans are prorated, you are not gambling the savings against a cancellation penalty. Beyond that: skip fall detection where the wearer is rarely alone, and choose the in-home plan if they don't leave the house, since GPS devices carry both a higher monthly and a device fee.
FSA and HSA funds can typically be applied to a medical alert system, and some Medicare Advantage plans include a PERS benefit. See our guide to whether Medicare covers medical alert systems covers those paths in full.
Cheaper alternative
Is There a Lower-Cost Option?
Medical Guardian is a strong, flexible provider, but it is not the cheapest. Bay Alarm Medical starts at $27.95/month, leases in-home equipment free, and publishes its rates, which often makes for a lower first-year total. If price is the deciding factor, weigh our Bay Alarm Medical review against the full Medical Guardian review before committing, or see the two side by side in our Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical comparison.
Questions we hear most
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Medical Guardian cost per month?
Medical Guardian monitoring runs about $27.95 to $46.95 per month as of July 2026 depending on the device, before fall detection. The in-home landline plan is at the low end; the compact GPS and watch devices sit higher. Automatic fall detection adds $10/month on top. Medical Guardian does not publish a fixed rate card, so confirm your exact quote with the provider.
Is there an equipment or activation fee?
There is a one-time equipment/device fee of about $149.95 for most devices and about $199.95 for the MGMove watch, as of July 2026. There is no separate activation or setup fee, and no long-term contract.
How much is fall detection on Medical Guardian?
Fall detection is a $10/month add-on available on Medical Guardian plans, as of July 2026. It is a backup that reliably catches hard falls but can miss slow or cushioned ones. It complements rather than replaces the help button.
Can I lower the cost of Medical Guardian?
Yes. Paying annually saves up to about 16% versus month-to-month, and annual plans are prorated and refundable if you cancel. Skipping fall detection where the wearer is rarely alone, and choosing the in-home plan if the user doesn't leave the house, are the other main levers. Confirm current promotions with Medical Guardian.
Is Medical Guardian worth the price, or is there a cheaper option?
Medical Guardian is a strong pick for its wide device lineup and no-contract terms, but it is not the cheapest. Bay Alarm Medical starts at $27.95/month with free-leased in-home equipment and a published rate card, which often results in a lower first-year total. Read our Bay Alarm Medical review to compare.
Budget roughly $500–$811 for a first year with Medical Guardian depending on device and fall detection, a fair price for its device range and no-contract terms, but not the cheapest. Confirm the current promo quote before you buy, and compare our Bay Alarm Medical review if a lower first-year total matters most.
Medical Guardian does not publish a fixed rate card and prices shift with promotions; figures reflect current third-party pricing research as of July 2026. Confirm your exact quote with Medical Guardian.
Next step
Get your exact Medical Guardian quote
Because Medical Guardian's rate depends on the current promotion, the only way to lock your real first-year total is to confirm it with the provider. See current plans as of July 2026 — verify at checkout.
See Plans at Medical GuardianIf you buy through this link we may earn a commission — it never changes our ratings.
Sources & references
Medical Guardian does not publish a fixed rate card online; figures reflect current third-party pricing research as of July 2026 and are presented as ranges. Confirm your exact quote and fees with Medical Guardian directly.
- Medical Guardian — official site
- Bay Alarm Medical — official pricing
- Medicare.gov — Coverage
- CDC — Older Adult Falls Data
Pricing and plan details are drawn from each provider's official website and verified periodically; confirm current rates at the point of purchase. Statistics are cited from the sources above.