Walgreens Ready Response Medical Alert System

Medical alert systems add an extra layer of protection for anyone who needs a fast, reliable way to call for assistance. Small, lightweight and easy to use, medical alert buttons are worn either on the wrist or as a pendant to ensure help is always close at hand.

Also called personal emergency response systems, medical alert systems are especially popular among older adults who want to retain their independence without compromising on their safety. Some panic buttons even offer added safety features, such as automatic fall detection, and many medical alert systems now work on wireless phone networks to provide coverage both in the home and on the go.

With dozens of medical alert companies to choose from, finding the right system can be a challenge. This guide provides an in-depth overview of Walgreens Ready Response, a Walgreens-branded monitored medical alert system from Connect America, a nationwide medical monitoring company.

What You Should Know About Walgreens Ready Response

Walgreens Ready Response is a Walgreens-branded medical alert service supplied and monitored by Connect America. There are three systems available under the Walgreens Ready Response brand; two in-home systems and an all-in-one mobile system.

Both in-home Ready Response systems include a base unit equipped with a speakerphone and help button. The base unit plugs into a standard household power outlet and is paired with either a pendant-style or wrist-mounted help button. The landline home-based unit connects to an existing landline phone, while the cellular home-based unit includes a cellular transmitted with a pre-activated cellular SIM card.

The on-the-go mobile safety device is an all-in-one pendant-style personal emergency response system that includes a help button, GPS transponder and speakerphone, as well as a user-rechargeable battery. This is the only Ready Response system that offers optional fall detection.

Walgreens Ready Response Plans, Prices and Costs

Walgreens Ready Response subscriptions start at $19.95 per month for the landline, home-based unit on a prepaid annual plan, while the month-to-month plan costs $22.95.

Costs for the cellular in-home medical alert system are $32.95 per month on a month-to-month basis, or $27.95 per month on an annual plan.

The Ready Response On the Go costs $37.95 per month, or $32.04 per month on an annual plan, and automatic fall detection is available for an extra $10 per month.

Ready Response subscribers can add a PIN-protected lock box to any system for $2.99 per month, or $35.88 per year. All Ready Response plans include 24/7 call response through Connect America’s call monitoring center.

Pros and Cons of Walgreens Ready Response Medical Alert

Pros of Walgreens Ready Response:

• Monthly monitoring costs are relatively low
• Fees include use of the medical alert hardware
• User-friendly system
• Fall detection available with On the Go system
• Landline and cellular connectivity
• In-home help buttons are water-resistant
• Nationwide GPS location tracking with On the Go device
• Cellular service provided by AT&T
• Maintenance-free batteries in in-home help buttons
• On the Go battery lasts up to 5 days

Cons of Walgreens Ready Response:

• Range between in-home base unit and help button is just 600 feet
• No fall detection available on in-home systems
• No medical alert smartwatch or wall-mounted help buttons
• Customer service line only staffed during regular weekday business hours
• New subscribers must pay for at least 90 days of service in advance
• No refunds provided for cancellations within the first 90 days of service
• Monitoring fees may increase each year
• No caregiver app or online dashboard
• Call monitoring center lacks standard industry certification

Walgreens Ready Response FAQs