Best for Health and Medical Information On-Demand
GreatCall was founded in 2006 to provide solutions for seniors who wish to age in place. The GreatCall Lively Mobile medical alert system is one of several GreatCall mobile devices designed for “active aging.” In 2019, the Lively Mobile device was upgraded to the Lively Mobile Plus. The company’s other devices include a smartphone and flip phone with emergency alert capabilities.
The Lively Mobile offers some excellent additional features. Two of the available service plans include a feature called Urgent Care, an on-demand telehealth service. Lively Mobile users can call the Urgent Care number at any time and speak with a doctor or registered nurse, who are available around-the-clock. The clinicians can give health advice and submit refills for common prescriptions. This telehealth service is unique among medical alert companies, and can save users unnecessary trips to the doctor or urgent care (and save the copay). By including Urgent Care with the Lively Mobile, GreatCall makes it easier and safer than ever for seniors to live independently.
Who GreatCall Lively Mobile Is Best For
Seniors Who Enjoy Traveling
While some medical alert devices may only be used in the home, all GreatCall medical alert devices are mobile and portable. The devices use Verizon’s cellular network to connect with the emergency monitoring center. They are not tied to a connection in a specific location, so they work anywhere in the United States with cellular service. This is great for seniors who love traveling, as they can bring their medical alert device on vacation and know that it will be fully functional. The Lively Mobile can also help give seniors more confidence to travel.
Those Without Strong AT&T Signal in Their Area
Most mobile medical alert devices use AT&T’s cellular network to connect users to the monitoring center. But, the GreatCall Lively Mobile uses Verizon’s. This can be a game-changer for those who want a mobile device but do not have a strong AT&T signal in their home or the surrounding area. The Lively Mobile is a great option in these situations when seniors otherwise would be unable to use a portable medical alert device.
Seniors With Chronic Medical Conditions
GreatCall goes above and beyond with its extra features, such as its on-demand telehealth services, Urgent Care. With Urgent Care, GreatCall users can contact registered nurses and physicians via the MDLive platform at any time. This feature can be especially useful for seniors who are managing chronic conditions and may have questions or concerns about their health somewhat regularly. The registered nurses and physicians can also send routine prescriptions to patients’ pharmacies and can help patients understand when more in-person medical help may be necessary.
Plans and Starting Costs
GreatCall Lively Mobile users choose between a Basic, Preferred, or Ultimate Health & Safety package. The packages all include the same Lively Mobile Plus device and come with varying features. The Basic service package is the least expensive at $24.99 a month, and the Ultimate package is the most expensive at $39.99 a month. There are no discounts for quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payment plans.
Starting Costs
All users must purchase the Lively Mobile Plus device for $49.99, plus a $35 activation fee. All customers pay these starting fees, plus $10 for shipping, regardless of which Health & Safety package they choose. In 2019, GreatCall upgraded its device, now referred to as the Lively Mobile Plus. The LivelyMobile Plus offers some enhanced features, but the price remains unchanged.
There are no long-term contracts, and users may cancel their service at any time. Those who choose longer payment periods will receive a prorated refund for any prepaid months at the time of cancellation. All new users are also eligible for a 30 day trial period, during which they can return their device for a full refund, minus a $10 restocking fee.
Device and Plan Features
GreatCall only offers one device- its Lively Mobile Plus. Instead of selecting a specific device, users select a service plan and the system is programmed accordingly. The Lively Mobile Plus uses Verizon’s cellular network to connect with GreatCall’s own 5Star Urgent Response Center. The lightweight device is portable and waterproof and may be worn around the wrist, neck, or in a belt clip or purse.
Basic Package
Plan Features and Pricing
The Basic package includes standard emergency medical monitoring with the 5Star Urgent Response Center. As the most simple package, extra features like Urgent Care and GreatCall Link are not included.
This plan costs $24.99 a month for monitoring, plus a $49.99 device purchase fee, $35 activation fee, and $10 for shipping. The only recurring cost is the monthly monitoring fee.
Preferred Package
Plan Features and Pricing
In addition to emergency monitoring, the Preferred package includes Urgent Care on-demand telehealth services and GreatCall Link, a caregiver mobile app. The Preferred Plan costs $29.99 a month.
Ultimate Package
Plan Features and Pricing
The Ultimate Package is the most comprehensive service option. It includes the same services as the Preferred Package, plus automatic fall detection and a product replacement plan, which covers the cost of replacement if the device is lost, stolen, or damaged. It is the only GreatCall Lively Mobile package with automatic fall detection, so those looking for that feature much choose this plan. It is also the most expensive, at $39.99 a month plus the one-time device purchase, activation, and shipping fees.
| Basic | Preferred | Ultimate | |
| Monthly Cost | $24.99 | $29.99 | $39.99 |
| One-time fees | $49.99 purchase, $35 activation | $49.99 purchase, $35 activation | $49.99 purchase, $35 activation |
| Type of Device | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile |
| Connection | Cellular | Cellular | Cellular |
| Battery Life | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shower-proof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Range | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Fall Detection | Not Available | Not Available | Included in Monthly Cost |
Optional Features
Users may choose to add device protection to their service plan for $3 a month. The protection plan covers replacement costs if a device is lost, stolen, or broken for any reason. The feature is automatically included at no extra charge with the Ultimate service package.
Monitoring
GreatCall owns and operates its own emergency monitoring center, the 5Star Urgent Response Center. All 5Star agents hold IAED certification and are trained in emergency procedures. Operators will stay on the line with callers until help arrives to ensure their safety. 5Star operators can also help with non-emergency situations, such as if a caller is locked out of their home.
