Consumer Guide

Medical alert without a landline: will yours still work?

Many medical alert systems use a base station that plugs into the landline phone jack. When the landline is shut off, the button may still light up, but the call for help may never go through. Here's how to check yours, and what to switch to.

Does my medical alert use the landline?

Look at the base station, the box near your phone jack. If a phone cord runs from it to the wall jack, it uses the landline. If there is no phone cord, or the box says cellular, it uses the cell network and is not affected by the landline shutoff.

Test it today

Press the button and wait for the operator to answer. Tell them it's a test. If no one answers, or it only works some of the time, call your medical alert company right away.

Questions to ask your medical alert company

• Does my base station need a landline?

• Do you have a cellular model, and is the switch free?

• Will my monthly price change?

• How does it work during a power outage?

See plans

If you need a new one

Most major medical alert companies now sell cellular models that work without any phone line. Look for a backup battery in the base, fall detection if you need it, no long contract, and a free trial period.