Lifeline Reviews

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Edited by: Justin Martino

About Lifeline

Lifeline, formerly known as Philips Lifeline, offers medical alert systems with professional monitoring. The company was founded in 1974 and was acquired by Connect America in 2021. Currently, Lifeline specializes in wearable help buttons that can be worn as a wristband or pendant. Typical monitoring fees range from $29.95 to $58.95 per month.

Pros
  • Waterproof equipment
  • Caregiver tools
  • Fall detection available
  • GPS capabilities
Cons
  • Upfront fees
  • Limited equipment options
  • No free trial period

Helpful Reviews

South Hill, VA
Verified purchase
… The reps at Lifeline are wonderful because we can call in if we need help. I recommend Lifeline to anyone who is disabled or who might be sick and in need of help. I have fallen...

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Vero Beach, FL
Verified purchase
They have a highly reliable professional staff that is always there. However, if you buy just the cheap plan, which is what I have right now, you're gonna quickly find there are l...

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Lifeline medical alert systems

How does Lifeline work?

Lifeline’s medical alert systems can be used inside or away from home. In an emergency, simply press the help button to contact a response center. Once alerted, a trained specialist briefly discusses the situation with you and reaches out to either emergency services or a personal contact. Lifeline will follow up to confirm that help has arrived.

The monitoring centers are based in the U.S. and Canada and have an average response time of 20 seconds, according to Lifeline. They have backup systems to keep emergency responders connected even during power outages, cellular disruptions and natural disasters.

Other notable company features include:

  • 24/7/365 response center: Lifeline's fully staffed, multilingual Response Center is always ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • Uninterrupted support: Unlike a cell phone, you wear your help button on you at all times, so help is always just a button press away.
  • Fall detection technology: Available on all Lifeline systems, fall detection technology connects seniors to help quickly after a fall, even if they can’t press their button.  
  • Included mobile app: Subscribers and caregivers can directly access assistance, track system usage and make account updates with Lifeline’s mobile app.

AARP discount

AARP members qualify for a discount.

  • 15% off their monthly service
  • Free shipping
  • Free activation

Lifeline medical alert costs

With Lifeline, you don’t actually own the system — it must be returned when your contract ends or you cancel service. But there are still upfront costs to consider, even though you don’t technically pay for the equipment.

How does Lifeline compare?

Compare Lifeline to similarly rated medical alert companies.

All pricing information accurate as of publishing date.

Lifeline FAQ

How reliable is Lifeline’s fall detection?

Lifeline uses AutoAlert automatic fall detection technology, which incorporates accelerometers, barometric sensors and an algorithm that can detect false alarms. (It’s worth pointing out that no fall detection technology catches 100% of falls, but Lifeline reports that AutoAlert detects 95% of “many types of falls” and triggers fewer false alarms.) Fall detection comes with two of the three Lifeline systems.

» COMPARE: Best medical alerts with fall detection

What languages do Lifeline operators speak?

Lifeline hires operators that speak English and Spanish, and they also have access to real-time translation services in 140 languages.

Does Medicare cover Lifeline?

Original Medicare does not generally cover medical alert systems. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans might.

What is Lifeline’s return policy?

You can cancel your monitoring subscription at any time. You have to call or email and return all the equipment. However, if you’ve activated your product or don’t have the original packaging, expect to pay a $50 restocking fee.

Still have questions?

Is Lifeline a good medical alert company?

We like that Lifeline’s systems are designed to be used at home or on the go, and with a personalized care plan, you can choose who responds when you call for help. Overall, Lifeline has mostly positive reviews on our site.

“I recommend Lifeline to anyone who is disabled or who might be sick and in need of help. I have fallen a lot, and I wouldn't be without it,” a reviewer in Virginia told us. Another in California said Lifeline is “wonderful” and “the most reliable.”

But it’s worth mentioning that a reviewer in Texas doesn’t think the devices are easy to wear — devices are “too heavy. It’s clumsy and hits everything and then it calls the company and I have to stop wherever I am and what I’m doing for no reason.” A reviewer in Vermont also noted that the batteries don’t last long enough.

» MORE: Questions to ask a medical alert company

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Lifeline Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    StaffEase of UseRates

    Reviewed April 10, 2026

    I am very happy with my Lifeline watch. It is very easy to use and I love the heart rate button and the walk and distance one. I was going to buy a walk monitor and now I don't need to do that, Also your staff are great and very helpful.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Lifeline
    Response from Lifeline

    Thank you for your kind review. We are happy to hear that you are enjoying your Lifeline watch and finding the features easy to use and helpful in your daily routine. We also appreciate your comments about our staff and are pleased to know you had a positive experience with our team. Thank you for choosing Lifeline.

    Customer ServiceTechStaff

    Reviewed March 20, 2026

    Worst customer service ever. Took 2 hours NOT to resolve issue. They installed a hardwired system and refuse to uninstall it. Wheelchair bound 92yo. They were rude and condescending. Told me to find a man to help. It was impossible to install new system even with expert's helping. How they stay in business escapes me.

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    Lifeline
    Response from Lifeline

    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Our records show you were recently in contact with a representative who reviewed the account and worked to resolve the issue. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you should have any further questions or concerns.

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      Customer ServicePriceRefunds & Payouts

      Reviewed March 19, 2026

      I have been trying to cancel this service for 5 months. I have received confirmation that they received the equipment but I have been charged and continue to receive invoices. No refund has been issued, and I am continuing to call to have this resolved. Cancellation is a horror show with them.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Hello Lynda, Thank you for confirming that this was for another company and not Life Line Screening.

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      Refunds & PayoutsBilling

      Reviewed March 9, 2026

      When I was a customer, service was great. I canceled my service in October and returned the equipment. I was told that I had to pay my monthly bill because of when I canceled. That is not the issue. I paid $47.51 on 2/18/26. Billing keeps harassing me for payment even saying that they don’t have a record of my payment. Rollie **

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We have reviewed the customer’s concern and taken appropriate steps to address it. The issue has been resolved, and the account has been updated accordingly.

      Due to privacy considerations, we are unable to share specific account details in this forum. We appreciate the opportunity to address and resolve this matter.

      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsBilling

      Reviewed March 6, 2026

      These people are crooks. We used their monitoring system for several years for my elderly mother. She passed away in early August of 2025. Within a couple of weeks I called to cancel the service and I returned the equipment as Lifeline asked. They told me the automatic billing would stop but it continued. I called after two months of charges and they said they would issue a refund. They didn't. So I called my credit card company, stopped the automatic payments, and challenged the charges. The credit card company resolved the disputes in my favor and I thought the matter was done.

      However, Lifeline changed the name on the charges from "Lifetime Systems Company" to "4TE* Lifeline Systems Company" and without authorization restarted the charges. The charges slipped through because of the name change and I just realized that four more months have been billed. I have challenged these and am confident they will be resolved in my favor. But the credit card company said that because of the fraudulent way Lifeline operated I would need to keep monitoring for unauthorized charges and if it happens again they'll need to cancel my card and issue a new one.

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      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      We’re very sorry for your experience and extend our sincere condolences for your loss. Our records show you were recently in contact with a representative who reviewed the account and worked to resolve the issue. If you have any remaining concerns, please contact us directly so we can ensure everything is fully addressed.

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      Customer ServiceRefunds & PayoutsFall DetectionBilling

      Reviewed Feb. 18, 2026

      We decided to try the wrist system for my mother - my fingers could barely get it fastened, much less the fingers of an arthritic person. We called about switching the wrist equipment out for the necklace equipment. We were told this was an easy process. They would send us the new equipment and then we would return the old equipment and we would not have to pay anything else. We were told to ignore all the billing letters and that she would not owe anything else. This was not the case. They decided that since my mom had the wrist equipment out of their system for “around” a month, that she would be billed for that equipment overlap and that they would change the year dates of service that she had prepaid for by shifting it up a month to justify the extra month of service she was being billed for.

      She received a MULTIPLE bills from them threatening to turn off her service if she didn’t pay the amount on the bill. Each time, we called and we told to ignore the letter. They had her returned equipment back in their system for almost a month before I called and asked about getting tested for that return. My mother is going to return the system she has and find a different company and just HOPE she gets the majority of her prepaid money back.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thank you for sharing your feedback. We understand how concerning billing and equipment questions can be.

      For privacy and security reasons, we’re unable to discuss account-specific details publicly. Our team has reached out in an effort to connect and review the matter directly.

      We encourage you to contact our Customer Care team 1-800-635-6156 at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your concerns and work toward a resolution.

      Verified purchase
      Fall DetectionBilling

      Reviewed Feb. 6, 2026

      I ordered a Lifeline Wrist Watch that was huge, didn't fit my wrist, was never activated, was returned, they have the proof, but yet they keep billing me every month for the past 4 months.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Our records show you were recently in contact with a representative who reviewed the account and worked to resolve the issue. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you should have any further questions or concerns.

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      Customer ServiceMaintenanceFall Detection

      Reviewed Jan. 23, 2026

      I found it highly inappropriate that they (the parent company of Life Assure) ask for a donation when I called to cancel the service when our father died…Who in the corporate structure of this company thought that the consumers would want to make this contribution on their behalf in order for them to get a tax break? Heartless, profiteers with no sense of decency.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thank you for your feedback, and we are sorry for your loss. The service described is not affiliated with our company. We also like to clarify that we do not solicit donations from customers or request contributions for tax purposes. We recognize that similar terminology used by unrelated providers can cause confusion. As we are not the provider involved, we encourage you to contact the company that issued the service directly to address your concerns.

      Profile pic of the author.
      Verified purchase
      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsFall DetectionCommunication

      Reviewed Jan. 20, 2026

      I contacted Life Line and signed up for a year of service for my mother who lives alone. Unfortunately the device would not connect after several attempts with very poor communication (it said it was connecting but didn't, and then when I read the manual it stated to move to a different location to get connection - doesn't seem like a good solution for someone who has fallen and can't get up). I contacted the company and sent the device back in early October, here it is the middle of January and I still have not received a refund.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thank you for your feedback. To protect customer privacy, we’re unable to discuss account-specific details in a public forum. We did send a private message requesting additional information so we could review your concern, but we haven’t yet received a response. Please contact our Customer Support team directly at 1-800-635-6156 so we can escalate your inquiry to the appropriate department and work toward a resolution.

      Customer ServiceFall DetectionStaffHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed Jan. 8, 2026

      So far it hasn't made me too trustworthy. We were told the first thing once the Lifeline necklace is received to do was to press the button to call to active services. The woman on the other end did not have a clue and was wanting to call 911. There was a horrible connection so she called the Lifeline necklace and was talking through it asking if there was an emergency. When she was told that we had just received the the Lifeline Alert necklace and we were making sure it was activated that there was no emergency all she could say was, "OH!! Okay but is there an emergency???" NO!! All we need to make sure is that it works correctly!! Praying this will truly work in case there is a "Real" emergency and my Father needs help!! And no I cannot honestly recommend this to anyone until it is proved useful in case of an emergency.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Lifeline
      Response from Lifeline

      Thanks so much for your feedback! We value our customers and appreciate the time you took to share your experience. If you have any questions about your equipment or account, please call our Customer Service Department 1-800-635-6156. Our representatives will be happy to assist.

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      Lifeline Company Information

      Company Name:
      Lifeline
      Company Type:
      Public
      Ticker Symbol:
      PHG
      Year Founded:
      1974
      Formerly Named:
      Lifeline Systems
      Address:
      111 Lawrence Street
      City:
      Framingham
      State/Province:
      MA
      Postal Code:
      01702
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.lifeline.com

      Media

      AWARDS & CREDENTIALS 
      iF Product Design Award for our HomeSafe Wireless and GoSafe products - 2014
       World’s Most Ethical Companies - Philips is included in the top 100 of the world’s most ethical companies for 2012, 2010, 2009