LifeWatch USA
Is This Your Business?1.9
2.8
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
News Update: Lifewatch, Inc. has recently been charged by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Florida Attorney general for practicing the use of robocalls to get consumers to purchase their product. LifeWatch USA has also either rebranded or merged with a company called MedGuard Alert, Inc. The LifeWatch USA name is nowhere to be found on the company's website except for the site domain.
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The Good
- Long Backup Battery
- At-Home and Mobile Options
- Multiple Certifications
- Free Shipping
Long Backup Battery
LifeWatch USA's basic in-home system features a 5-day backup battery, which is one of the longest backup batteries we've seen. Most companies will only feature a backup battery that lasts 3 days.
At-Home and Mobile Options
LifeWatch USA offers a basic in-home system that operates on a landline connection. This system features an average 600- to 800-foot range, a wristband/pendant transmitter, and periodic test calls. LifeWatch USA also offers two mobile options that feature GPS tracking, 2-way voice speakerphone, and waterproof functionality. The SmartGo system also features fall detection.
Multiple Certifications
LifeWatch USA products and services are certified by Underwriters Laboratories, ETL, and CSAA.
Free Shipping
LifeWatch USA offers free shipping on its products, which isn't common among other companies.
The Bad
- Transparency
- Lack of Communication
- Billing Issues
Transparency
LifeWatch USA does not list any of their prices or service levels online aside from a tag that reads "as low as $1 a day". This makes it hard to gauge whether or not a service might be a good fit for a patient. If a patient can't see how much a product costs then they might move onto another personal alert service provider.
Lack of Communication
There are some concerned by the lack of communication regarding equipment fees if a cancellation occurs. LifeWatch USA clients can be subject to a $350 equipment fee for not returning the merchandise. Even if the client fails to open the package before canceling, there is still a hefty $50 restocking fee to be aware of when canceling service with LifeWatch USA.
Billing Issues
A lot of LifeWatch USA complaints stem from billing issues. One client seemed to misunderstand the 30-day trial period and was billed for two months of service after failing to cancel their account within the trial period. It also seemed as if customers had a hard time getting back the units when they canceled their account, according to some complaints. Perhaps better return procedures would help LifeWatch USA correct this issue.
The Bottom Line
Lifewatch, Inc. offers good products and services. The products and services could be made into a perfect fit for most home care situations, and the certifications for the monitoring center are top-tier. However, when going with a particular personal alert system, a client wants to know that their monitoring professionals have dispatcher and EMT training. Despite the good found, the recent exposure to the company's deceptive practices of robocalling since 2012, the customer should want to steer away from this company.
