FastHelp
Is This Your Business?FastHelp is an emergency button that Universal Physicians created with the elderly and disabled in mind. The FastHelp medical alert device functions anywhere there is cell service and once activated, it will immediately connect you to 911. The device has a two-way speaker that allows you to speak to emergency operators as you would with a cell phone. Only meant to be an emergency button, FastHelp does not include professional monitoring or additional safety features other than being a direct line to emergency assistance.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Waterproof Equipment
- No Monthly Monitoring Fee
- Own the Easy-to-Use Equipment
- Cancel Button
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
On par with most other medical alert providers, FastHelp provides a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test out the equipment and decide if you’re satisfied or if you’d like to send it back for a full refund. Keep in mind you most likely have to pay shipping costs.
Waterproof Equipment
The FastHelp medical alert device is waterproof, so you can bring it with you in wet, fall-prone areas, such as the bathroom. One of many selling points customers care about in medical alert devices is that they’re waterproof, so it’s respectable that FastHelp made that a priority when creating its medical alert technology.
No Monthly Monitoring Fee
FastHelp has a simple business model that focuses only on a simple emergency button that functions anywhere there is cell service. This means reasonably priced equipment you own yourself and no monthly monitoring fee. This also negates the need for any activation fees or necessary contracts. Once you purchase the FastHelp medical alert device, the equipment is yours to do with what you wish with no additional monetary commitments.
Own the Easy-to-Use Equipment
Most medical alert providers require you to return the equipment when you are no longer paying for the company’s services. Because FastHelp is a one-time upfront purchase, the equipment is yours after payment.
FastHelp equipment is also easy to use and requires little maintenance or effort to manage. The equipment includes the medical alert emergency device, a charging cradle and port, a belt clip and lanyard to attach the device to, and a quick start guide.
The medical alert device has a two-way speaker that allows you to speak with emergency responders as well as an indicator light that flashes green, blue, or red depending on if the device is idle, requesting help, has a low battery, etc. The quick start guide explains what each color means.
Cancel Button
The FastHelp medical alert device has a button that allows you to cancel your emergency calls by holding it down for five seconds. This is convenient if the user accidentally set off the alert device.
Most medical alert devices have a cancel button, and it’s convenient that FastHelp has one as well, even with its simpler equipment and fewer capabilities. It’s not noted on FastHelp’s website how long you have to cancel the call once the button is triggered.
The Bad
- Cell Reception Needed
- No Fall Detection Capabilities
- No Professional Monitoring
- Limited Warranty
- Poor Quality Equipment
- Only Wearable on Belt
Cell Reception Needed
The FastHelp medical alert device only functions where there is cell reception. Similar to cell phone technology, if you are in an area without cell service, the device will be useless as an emergency tool.
No Fall Detection Capabilities
The major downside of unmonitored medical alert systems, such as FastHelp, is fall detection is not available. Being one of the major conveniences and safety features of medical alert systems, fall detection is life-saving technology that contacts the monitoring center anytime a fall occurs and the device is automatically triggered without the user having to do anything.
No Professional Monitoring
FastHelp does not include professional monitoring. Monitored medical alert devices when triggered will typically contact the medical alert company’s professional moniotring center that has certified operators on call 24/7. The operators when answering your emergency call will speak with you through your medical alert device and determine if they should call your emergency contacts on file or if it’s severe enough to contact emergency responders. Professional monitoring centers can also have your personal and health information on file to make for a quicker and more efficient safety process.
A medical alert device without monitoring and extra capabilities, such as fall detection, is essentially the same as a cell phone. Although you have to press a couple more buttons on a cell phone to contact help and a monthly fee is required, most people own a cell phone and would be able to use it in an emergency, just as they would a medical alert emergency button. So a medical alert device, such as FastHelp, that simply gives you a direct line to emergency responders isn’t much more of a convenience.
Although the FastHelp medical alert device may offer a little extra safety, if you’re wanting more protection that will include fall detection and professional monitoring you can count on, FastHelp may not be the best option for you.
Limited Warranty
FastHelp equipment only has a one-year warranty. Since it’s a one-time purchase and you own the equipment, the company will not replace or repair your medical alert device equipment if it’s after one year of purchase.
The majority of leading medical alert companies offer lifetime warranties on all equipment, giving customers peace of mind for as long as they have the medical alert services.
Poor Quality Equipment
Although FastHelp equipment is straightforward and easy to use, it isn’t advanced like its medical alert device competitors. FastHelp’s purpose is to be simple and minimalistic, which is okay if that’s all you’re looking for in a medical alert system. However, if you want more advanced equipment with variety and additional features, FastHelp likely won’t be the best option for you.
Equipment and features that more advanced medical alert companies often offer include the following (and many more):
- Medical alert device in the form of a smartwatch
- Wearable fall detection pendants
- CSAA Five Diamond Certified professional monitoring
- GPS location technology available to loved ones
- Medication and appointment reminders
- Weather and activity monitoring
- Text-to-speech messaging (to stay in touch with loved ones and send them regular updates)
- Variety of medical alert packages to choose from
Only Wearable on Belt
The convenience of medical alert devices is you can usually wear them in a variety of ways, including around your neck and on your wrist. Unfortunately, the FastHelp medical alert device can only be worn on your belt with the attached belt clip.
Although you can carry the medical alert device with you in your pocket or bag, on your belt is the only other way to actually wear the emergency button, which may be a pain for users who would prefer to wear it as a watch or necklace. The vast majority of medical alert providers typically offer a variety of wearable options, so it’s disappointing FastHelp is limited in this aspect.
The Bottom Line
FastHelp’s greatest selling point is it only requires a one-time equipment fee. Because there is no medical alert monitoring included, customers don’t pay a monthly fee with FastHelp. You own the equipment, and it will function anywhere there is cell reception.
However, the cheap price point means lower quality equipment with minimal capabilities. With FastHelp, you miss out on features such as fall detection, GPS location technology for family members to locate you at all times, messaging functionality, activity tracking, etc.
If you’re someone whose main concern is not paying a monthly fee and you only need limited protection, FastHelp will be a fine choice for you.
On the contrary, if you don’t have a caregiver and are looking for extra protection that goes beyond a simple emergency button, FastHelp is likely not the best medical alert option for you.
Especially since most medical alert companies don’t require equipment or other fees, monthly monitoring alone is a small price to pay for those who want the peace of mind of extra safety percautions that could ultimately save their life in an emergency, whereas FastHelp may not be enough to do so.
If additional safety is important to you, we recommend checking out other top-rated medical alert companies that offer professional monitoring.
