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Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is an electronic

device designed to let you summon help in an emergency. If you

are a disabled or an older person living alone, you may be

thinking about buying a PERS (also called a Medical Emergency Response

System).

How a PERS Works

A PERS has three components: a small radio transmitter (a help button carried

or worn by the user); a console connected to the userís telephone; and an emergency response center that monitors calls.

When emergency help (medical, fire, or police) is needed, the PERS user

presses the transmitterís help button. It sends a radio signal to the console. The

console automatically dials one or more pre-selected emergency telephone

numbers. Most systems can dial out even if the phone is in use or off the hook.

(This is called ìseizing the line.î) Most PERS are programmed to telephone an

emergency response center where the caller is identified. The center will try to

determine the nature of the emergency. Center staff also may review your

medical history and check to see who should be notified.

A

911
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If the center cannot contact you or determine

whether an emergency exists, it will alert

emergency service providers to go to your

home. With most systems, the center will

monitor the situation until the crisis is resolved.

Transmitters

Transmitters are light-weight, battery-powered

devices that are activated by pressing one or

two buttons. They can be worn on a chain

around the neck or on a wrist band, or they

can be carried on a belt or in a pocket. Because the transmitter is battery-powered, the

batteries must be checked periodically to

ensure they work. Some units have an indicator to help you know when to change batteries.

The Console

The console acts as an automatic dialing

machine and sends the emergency alert

through the phone lines. It works with any

private telephone line and generally does not

require rewiring. If you have more than one

phone extension, a special jack or wiring may

be required to enable the console to seize the

line.

Emergency Response Center

There are two types of emergency response

centers ó provider-based and manufacturerbased. Provider-based centers usually are

located in the userís local area and are operated by hospitals or social service agencies.

Manufacturer-based operations usually have

one national center. Sometimes, consumers

who purchase systems can choose between

provider-based and manufacturer-based centers, but consumers who rent systems from a

PERS manufacturer usually must use its

national center.

Purchasing, Renting, or Leasing a PERS

A PERS can be purchased, rented, or leased.

Neither Medicare nor Medicaid, in most

states, will pay for the purchase of equipment,

nor will most insurance companies. The few

insurance companies that do pay require a

doctorís recommendation. Some hospitals and

social service agencies may subsidize fees for

low-income users. Purchase prices for a PERS

normally range from $200 to more than

$1,500. However, some consumers have

reported paying $4,000 to $5,000 for a PERS.

You also will have to pay an installation fee

and a monthly monitoring charge which may

cost from $10 to $30.

Rentals are available through national manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals, and

social service agencies. Monthly fees may

range from $15 to $50 and usually include the

monitoring service.

Lease agreements can be long-term or leaseto-purchase. If you lease, review the contract

carefully before signing. Make special note of

cancellation clauses, which may require you to

pay a cancellation fee or other charges.

Before purchasing, renting, or leasing a

system, check the unit for defects. Ask to see

the warranty and service contract and get any

questions resolved. Ask about the repair

policy. Find out how to arrange for a replacement or repair if a malfunction occurs.

If a PERS salesperson solicits you by phone,

and you are interested in the device, ask for

information about prices, system features, and

services. You can then use the information to

comparison shop among other PERS providers. If the salesperson is reluctant to provide

information except through an in-home visit,
Facts for Consumers

you may want to consider doing business with

another company. In-home sales visits can be

high pressure, and the salesperson may urge

you to buy before you are ready to make a

decision.

Before doing business with companies selling

PERS, you may want to contact your local

consumer protection agency, state Attorney

Generalís Office, and Better Business Bureau

(BBB). Ask if any complaints have been filed

against the companies you are considering.

You also may want to get recommendations

from friends, neighbors, or relatives who use

emergency response systems.

Shopping Checklist

To help you shop for a PERS that meets your

needs, consider the following suggestions:

● Check out several systems before making a

decision.

● Find out if you can use the system with

other response centers. For example, can

you use the same system if you move?

● Ask about the pricing, features, and

servicing of each system and compare

costs.

● Make sure the system is easy to use.

● Test the system to make sure it works

from every point in and around your

home. Make sure nothing interferes with

transmissions.

● Read your purchase, rental, or lease

agreement carefully before signing.

Questions to Ask the Response Center

You also may want to ask questions about the

response center:

● Is the monitoring center available 24 hours

a day, 7 days a week?

● What is the average response time?

● What kind of training does the center staff

receive?

● What procedures does the center use to test

systems in your home? How often are tests

conducted?

For More Information

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works

for the consumer to prevent fraudulent,

deceptive and unfair business practices in the

marketplace and to provide information to

help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.

To file a complaint or to get free information

on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call

toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-

4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC

enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft

and other fraud-related complaints into

Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database

available to hundreds of civil and criminal law

enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

March 2001

F C EDERAL RADE OMMISSION T FTC OR HE ONSUMER

1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov

Facts for Consumers