Columbia Medical Alarm
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
Columbia Medical Alarm is available to meet with seniors locally to discuss its product offerings. The company's medical alarm works by pressing the Personal Help Button which will activate the CarePartner Communicator. The CarePartner Communicator then calls the Lifeline Response Center who will establish two-way voice communication with the Basic Communicator. From there, the Lifeline associate can determine the best route of action, whether to notify an emergency contact or to send out emergency services. However, pricing information is not listed online. It is recommended to call the company directly to learn more about costs.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- 24/7 Service
- Cancel at Any Time
24/7 Service
The company recognizes that emergencies can happen at any time of the day. Columbia Medical Alarm's services run 24/7, guaranteeing continuous monitoring through its Philips Lifeline services. If you need help, simply press your Personal Help Button to get connected with a Lifeline Response Associate who will then take action on your behalf.
Cancel at Any Time
Columbia Medical Alarm shares that it does not have any hidden costs or any equipment to buy. It also does not require any long-term contracts which cover equipment service. Because of this, you can discontinue its Lifeline service at any time. This is a benefit for customers who may not know how long they will need the service for or if they end up moving outside of the company's service area.
The Bad
- Phone Line Required
- Lack of Pricing Information
- Lack of Online Support
Phone Line Required
The Basic Communicator and Voice Extension devices require an electrical outlet and a phone line connection for service. If you do not currently have a landline connection, this will be an added expense. Currently, a mobile unit, meaning one that uses a cellular network, is not available. This will limit the range of your Personal Help Button.
Lack of Pricing Information
When you visit the Columbia Medical Alarm website, you won't find many details regarding pricing. It also isn't disclosed as to how much monthly rates are beyond saying that Lifeline monitoring starts at a little more than $1 a day. If you want to understand this basic information for better comparison among other medical alert brands, we recommend calling the company directly.
Lack of Online Support
Columbia Medical Alarm's FAQ webpage is sparse. Its website does not share any specific details as far as how to troubleshoot the device or any technical support. If you run into any technical difficulties or would like to better understand your equipment, you will need to call the company directly.
The Bottom Line
Columbia Medical Alarm provides medical alert systems and other devices such as a pill dispenser. The company provides 24/7 service for its customers so as to always be ready to help in the event of an emergency. The Personal Help Buttons come with a decent battery life which eliminates the hassle of charging or replacing batteries. One of the best features is that you can cancel service at any time as long-term contract are not required. The company also doesn't charge upfront for equipment fees. If Columbia Medical Alarm's product offerings interest you, keep in mind that monthly pricing is not listed online. If you don't mind calling the company directly for additional information and are living in the Portland and Vancouver areas, then Columbia Medical Alarm is a great option for you or your loved ones. However, if you don't like the requirement of a landline, then we recommend you look at mobile options elsewhere.
