MedicAlert Foundation

Review: health issue .. is that it is so rough it scratches my my arm/wrist badly

I have a pic if needed I can mail in it by parcel post.

I emailed this note (below) to medic alert 1/8/16

I sent in bracelet because it chewed up my arm so to speak. it was so rough got it back still rough returned it again, got it back a g a I n the engraving is still rough. I called medic alert I was told it passed inspection and then suggested to that it might be the band ( it is not the band) It is the area where the engraving touches my skin and the metal roughness digs into my skin.

I tried to wear it. In no time the engraving roughness has scratched my arm again. It is unwearable.

I think if anyone tried to wear it , it would damage , hurt their arm/wrist.

anyway since I have been told there are no refunds.

however, I am very disappointed that medic alet would have someone pay so much for something that is unwearable at NO fault of my own. so I doubt I will be renewing my subscription when the times comes.

when people get something that hurts them.. you would think they would refund . I would not say it hurt if it did not hurt me and unwearable IF I could wear it.

sadly disappointing with medic alert.

I think it was purchased about 6 weeks ago. late nov 2014 or early dec 2014.Desired Settlement: please refund the money for the bracelet.

Business

Response:

After investigating and reviewing the notes on the account, customer may be experiencing issues with the engraving due to the sensitive nature of the medical condition, and that she shared that her wrists swell. We would recommend getting a different product where the engraving is on the front of the ID rather than on the back of the ID. We can exchange the product for one of our Easy Flex medical ID bracelets. The bands come in purple, red, teal or black. We are happy to accommodate this exchange for Ms. [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: the easy flex band is $27.99 and the classic stretch band is $47.99 on their web site. I think I would still be loosing money. so my response is no.

Business

Response:

We would just like to respond to the customer with the response below, to be sure she understands our original offer in our response from yesterday. “We will process the order, however need to refer back to our original offer where it states that the engraving is on the front of the ID, not the back of the ID. We want to ensure this is understood and agreed to prior to completing the order for Ms. [redacted]. We will await a reply in agreement on the product.” Please let me know if you have questions regarding the response above.Thank you so much,[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I cancelled my membership to 6/2/2015. The only reason I remembered I even had this membership was when I saw charge on my credit card. I call as soon as I saw charge. They informed me I could cancel membership but no credit would be given. They said I needed to call before they charged me. That seems very poor business practice as they deal with a lot of older ones who can't remember from day to day let alone a year later.. Really!!! No notice that they were going to debit my charge card, I or anyone must remember. Very poor business practice for such a large company. Just want it on record that they have stolen my money. They let you cancel but no refund. I was less than 30 days to late. They say there is no refunds its on contract because I had auto pay??? Again makes no sense. I'm not going to use their service I don't feel any citizen should have to payDesired Settlement: I want my credit card refund for the services I no longer will be using. Prorate for the lousy few days of use!

Business

Response:

This was an automatic renewal that the member signed up for on 5-31-2013. Her membership was automatically renewed in 2014 as well as now in 2015. Although there was no communication by Ms. [redacted] to advise us of her intent to cancel her membership, we will honor her request for cancellation and refund. Ms. [redacted] should be aware that should she continue to wear her medical ID and we are contacted in an emergency, there will be a charge for services. The refund has been requested, the process can take up to two weeks to complete.

I'm extremely disappointed in this company. I ordered a bracelet on 3/12/15. I chose for medic alert to engrave what they thought was best due to my extensive medical history. Clearly stated on their website is this

"Engrave on my behalf after I complete or update my Health Record". Notice it says AFTER I COMPLETE my health record. I purchased the bracelet, typed a few drug allergies and was going to finish later. I logged back on about an hour later. I logged in. It said I wasn't authorized to put anything in my health record until I bought a bracelet or necklace. What? I thought maybe my order didn't go through, so I purchased it again. Again, no authorization to fill out a Anything that would need to go on my bracelet I immediatly told them to cancel the last order & informed them of my issues with not being able to utilize their services. On 3/13/15 I got a message that said the order I placed on 3/13 was canceled but 3/12 had already shipped. I called and spoke with someone and told her it's ridiculous to think when I've had over 42 surgeries and potentially fatal diseases that I would want a bracelet that says I'm allergic to IVP dye. Especially since I let them know immediatly that I couldn't update my health record. She apologized and said she was sorry but it had already shipped. I said I'm dying here! This is important! She put me on hold for 10 minutes came back and said she canceled the order but only if I paid a $10 fee! Outrageous! But, I paid it because I'm too sick to add on even more stress & I still don't have a medic alert bracelet so first responders know what to do.

Review: I am not sure if this constitutes a health issue or not. But I am home during the day and AT LEAST once per day I answer the phone where the caller ID registers the caller as [redacted]. The Automated system gives statistics about slip and falls for the elderly and how important to only have help a button away. The recording identifies them as Medic Alert. You are directed ti hit 1 for a representative and 5 to be removed. each day I alternate between 1 & 5. when you hit 5 the call just disconnects. when you hit 1 a representative comes on the line and says I have reached Senior Life Alert. When I say that I want to be removed from the system they just hang up. I have been laid off since August 6th and this happens, as I said AT LEAST once per day. It is annoying & frustrating!Desired Settlement: MAKE THEM STOP CALLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Business

Response:

I am writing to you from MedicAlert Foundation United States, which owns the famous andtrusted federally-registered MEDICALERT® trademark for emergency medical identification goods and emergency medical information services. MedicAlert Foundation is a nonprofit organization with more than 2,700,000 members in the United States, and more than 4,000,000 members worldwide. For over fifty years, MedicAlert Foundation has been dedicated to saving lives in emergencies by providing products and services pertaining to emergency medical identification and information for persons having non-apparent medical conditions.We have become aware of a telemarketing scam which has reached our members nationwide. In mid-April, we began receiving reports from our members as well as nonmembers who received automated calls posing as “MedicAlert” or “Medical Alert” to inform them that a “medical alert” device or alarm had been purchased for them. The callers claimed that the device had already been ordered and asked to schedule an appointment for delivery or installation and for the members (or consumers) bank account information or other sensitive information. The callers have also said that, while there is no charge for the device, there is a fee for the service. Sometimes, the callers provided a call back number. There have also been similar calls made by a live person who has solicited similar services and informed the member or consumer that a prepaid “medical alert” system is ready to be shipped and requested an address and credit card information for a monthly service.We take very seriously the protection of our trademarks and the valuable goodwill built up by our members and contributors, and we are extremely concerned by this recent scam. There are many news articles on the web that reference this scam or other similar scams. Some of these articles, written by regional Revdex.com offices or referencing these agencies, refer to the scam as originating with MedicAlert. We are also a victim of this fraudulent scam. Please also note another company, Life Alert, who recently filed a lawsuit against another company for impersonating Life Alert through scam phone calls. (See Attachments A and B). We are very concerned that this misrepresentation of MedicAlert Foundation is causing distress to our members and irreparable damage to the trust of our organization, and may be a detriment to our services that we provide to our members.We are asking for your help. We are requesting that the Revdex.com send out a press release, as well as a similar communication to the regional offices for posting on the regional websites, to educate consumers concerning the scam that is currently taking place and to clarify the nature of the scam. We ask that, in this communication, you clarify and correct any information or suggestion made by the Revdex.com that MedicAlert is in any way involved in these scams, as such statements may be misleading and damaging. MedicAlert Foundation is equally a victim of this fraudulent activity. We have placed a consumer alert on our website at www.medicalert.org so those visiting our website understand the current scam that is occurring nationwide and will have the information needed to contact agencies who need to be made aware of these scam calls, such as the Federal Trade Commission and the state Attorneys General.We thank you for your assistance in sharing this information. Please let us know what we can do to assist the Revdex.com with this very serious situation.Sincerely,[redacted]President & CEO

Review: My mom ordered a subscription through MedicAlert that included the bracelet (approximately $70) as well as free renewal for Wisconsin residents. She recently received the bill to renew. I contacted the agency on her behalf and was told they no longer are under contract with Wisconsin and no longer offer free renewals. They provided no prior notice to the change in service, we simply received the renewal notification and bill.Desired Settlement: I would appreciate if my mom, along with all individuals that subscribed to this agency under the free renewal agreement receive that service under the contract they signed. I believe they should be "grandfathered" into the new system.

Business

Response:

We will honor the request and waive the fees for this customer only. Our agreement with the State of WI, became null and void on waiving of fees once the state changed the original criteria for who could qualify for approval of an order. We are taking care of advancing the date and no other notices should go out unless they are already in the process

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: Threatened me with a fine and or fee if I used emergency medical services that would use their services. Also used hidden clauses to lock me into an auto renew service. That were beyond my knowledge. Here is attached email:

Hello [redacted],

Thank you for your response. I see you agreed to the terms and conditions for auto renewal on 3/15/2015 online when enrolling. I will remove your credit card information, but please be advised your membership has lapsed. If we receive a call regarding you, you will be subject to a $250.00 fee.

Kindest Regards,

[redacted].

Customer ServiceDesired Settlement: Written apology and adverse rating with the Revdex.com. Also reported to the appropriate medical agency warning them of their treatment of patients using this service. As it may cost lives!!!

Business

Response:

Customer enrolled online and agreed to the following Terms and Conditions, which included Automatic Renewal of service:MedicAlert ServicesBy purchasing medical identification product(s) and related service from MedicAlert Foundation International, you authorize MedicAlert Foundation to release all medical and other confidential information about you, in emergencies, and to other health care personnel you designate. MedicAlert Foundation relies upon the accuracy of the information that the customer supplies. Customer therefore agrees to defend, indemnify and hold MedicAlert Foundation (including its employees, officers, directors and agents) harmless from any claim or lawsuit brought by member or others for injury, death, loss or damages arising in whole or in part out of Customer's provision of incomplete or inaccurate information to MedicAlert Foundation.Automatic Renewal PolicyFirst-time medical identification product purchases include a pre-paid 12-month service subscription term (known as "My MedicAlert Services"). Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each subscription term for another 12-month term. You agree that MedicAlert Foundation may automatically renew your service subscription and charge your account on the one year anniversary of your last subscription date (the “Renewal Date”), unless you cancel your subscription before the Renewal Date. All notices regarding your subscription will be sent to your last email of record. To cancel your subscription without your account being charged for the next term, you must do so before the Renewal Date. You are responsible for timely canceling your subscription regardless of whether you receive any notice from us. The renewal payment is due on the Renewal Date and will automatically be charged to the same credit card that you used for the original purchase or the most recent renewal. Please notify MedicAlert Foundation Customer Service at 1-800-432-5378 before the Renewal Date of any changes to your email, account or billing information. Your cancellation will be effective at the end of the then-current 12-month subscription term for which you have already paid. The standard annual renewal price will be $24.99, unless you purchased an upgraded service package, or MedicAlert Foundation gives you advance notice of a price change.MedicAlert would never deny providing medical data in an emergency, however if a customer decides not to renew their service and we are called upon to provide a service they chose not to pay, then we do charge a fee of $250 for each occurrence where service is rendered on an account which is not currently paid. We will always work with the customer to attempt to bring the account current as only current and accurate information serves the customer best in an emergency.Customer was NOT charged the membership fee as the payment profile on account failed to successfully charge. Customer was advised of this by email, and asked to contact us to bring the account current.MedicAlert cannot be held responsible if the customer did not read the terms and conditions upon enrollment. We are, however, happy to help Mr. [redacted] out in the future should he change his mind about having a current and active service with MedicAlert.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: the business hid these options. It was a deliberate action to force customers to auto renew. Also threatening fines and or fees for using emergency medical care is wrong. I have no control over emergency room staff or other urgent medical care. If medical staff make contact with this business because they have the info on hand already not from a id tag. While I am incapacitated. Is beyond my control. Hesitation could cost me my life and the last thing I need to worry about is a fine while in an type of emergency . Just have them delete my account entirely I have destroyed all medical I'd tags related to this shiesty business

Business

Response:

We will honor the request of the customer and close his account.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: other customers should be warned of their bad business practices and given a bad Revdex.com rating. I was warned from friends but ignored them and they were correct about staying clear of this business. Does the customer have any protection from these illegal business practices

Review: I ordered 2 bracelets & 1 necklace, paying $61.97. When I received them, all were the wrong sizes with the wrong engraving. MedicAlerts engraving warranty states, "Should you notice any engraving issues, please let us know so we can make the corrections. Once the product is engraved & shipped, it is non-refundable but you can exchange it for a same valued product within 30 days." So I returned the items with a letter via priority mail with insurance, according to their instructions, & it was delivered to them on August 6th. On August 28th, because I had not heard anything from MedicAlert, I called them & spoke to [redacted]. She stated she had left several messages for me to call her back at both my home & cell numbers; however, this is completely untrue. After I told her the problems with the jewelry, as was stated in the letter accompanying it, she insisted the engraving was fine; she said it wasn't what I requested, but that it wasnt a big deal, because she was an EMT & the engraving was fine. After explaining my engraving was intended for any lay person, she sated they dont do the engraving I requested, which is untrue, because they put it on the last jewelry I ordered. As a side note, I wanted the LARGE Classic Red MedicAlert Bracelet, but received the small Classic Red. Because they only charged me for the small & because I expected them to send new items with the correct engraving, I offered to pay the price difference between the small & large ($10 for 2 bracelets) upon receipt of the correct merchandise. Instead, [redacted] said I could purchase 2 new bracelets & pay the full price for them ($49.98) & they would engrave them as I requested & send them in the correct sizes, because these have been engraved, so we cant sell them to anyone else. I refused this counteroffer & referenced the engraving warranty, stating if she was simply preventing me from having the items I wanted, send the smalls & necklace, but in correct sizes with correct engraving. They sent nothing.Desired Settlement: Either send me the 2 LARGE Classic Red MedicAlert Bracelets AND necklace with the engraving I requested and in the sizes I requested. Upon receipt of the correct merchandise, I will mail a $10 check for the then-price difference between the "small" and large of $5 each ($10 for 2 bracelets).OR, if you are preventing me from having the jewelry I want, send me 2 "small" Classic Red MedicAlert bracelets AND necklace - but for goodness sake, send in the CORRECT sizes with CORRECT engraving.

Business

Response:

We have replaced all 3 emblems for our member and he is mailing the orignal emblems to us. Member paid $20.00 and stated he will pay the difference for ordering the larger emblems. We have reviewed the engraving and sizing with member to confirm what he will be receiving.

Consumer

Response:

Consumer states that he has received the items in question and is satisfied. He would like to close the matter as resolved.

Review: I ordered a medic alert bracelet for my Dad 1 year ago. I was not aware that ordering a bracelet signed me up for a yearly renewal fee. I have spoken to two different people at this company with no results other that "it was on the website". Like I told the one woman, if I did see this [redacted] the website, that was a year ago shouldn't there have been an email sent stating hey your year is up and you will be charged 24.99 on July 27, 2016? She then said it was done by postcard this year. I pick up my Dad's mail everyday, there was NEVER a postcard from Medic Alert. She also said it is a 24/7 service that medical personnel use. I told her they would not have any info to give them because I never filled any type of info out for my Dad. I ordered a bracelet to say Kidney issues No Contrast.

They give you this 800 number, but phones never get answered have to leave message. Lady did call me back, and I "chatted" on line with a [redacted] who gave me this info:

Chat started

[redacted] joined the chat

Hello, how can I assist you?

[redacted] Miller

Hi [redacted]. Could you please tell me what the 24.99 charge that is being deducted from my bank account is for? I purchased a medic alert bracelet for my Dad a year ago, but signed up for nothing.

Yes, of course. Please provide me with his name and date of birth.

[redacted] 06/02/1935

Thank you. One moment please.

So I see that when he was enrolled online last year, the Terms of Service for automatic renewal were agreed to. Please see the following that was agreed to: First-time medical identification product purchases include a pre-paid 12-month service subscription term (known as "My MedicAlert Services"). Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each subscription term for another 12-month term. You agree that MedicAlert Foundation may automatically renew your service subscription and charge your account on thDesired Settlement: I would like money refunded to my account.

Business

Response:

Dear Ms. [redacted], We have placed a credit to your credit card on 7/29/2016. I wanted to address a couple of concerns you raised, to make you aware that we did attempt to communicate the automatic renewal in advance. On 6/15/2016 and again on 6/27/2016 we sent email reminders to the email address on file, however neither of these emails were opened. They may have ended up in a junk folder depending upon how your emails are filtered. Additionally, on June 1st a postcard reminder was also mailed to the address we have on file for your father. We apologize that this message never reached you, but with good intentions we attempted to advise you that this billing would be taking place.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I renewed my service with MedicAlert on 07-12-13 Starting pretty much right away I had problems in updating my info on their website. I would call and talk with usually two different people to get my info updated. It's really important that this info is up to date. Even after contacting MedicAlert my info was still not correct. In fact I even Filled out a survey that was sent to me complaining about this. Again I have tried calling and emailing with just getting the run around. In fact I tried calling again because another email directly from their website still was not answered. My membership renewal was do on the 6th of July and I wanted to discuss with someone concerning my problems. I didn't want to waste another $50.00 on a service well to be honest could kill me if the the info is not updated and the wrong info is given out to Medics or ER people. That's the reason I came to be a member of MedicAlert. The lady I talked with yesterday was nice but refused again to let me talk with her supervisor and discuss this problem. She was trying real hard though to get my money. I have been with these folks since 2012 and this is not a good way to do business. Not when someones life is at stake. Sorry.Desired Settlement: I would like to hear from someone friendly from MedicAlert concerning this. I feel I was not only ripped off $50.00, I also feel that a company that is supposed to be in the business providing a service in case of an emergency should make it easier and understand the health information needs to be updated on a regular basis to avoid bigger problems, even death. If they are unwilling to help in this matter then I think a refund in part if not in full is in order.

Business

Response:

We were able to immediately resolve open concerns from this member while providing assistance with online web self-services.

Business

Response:

As a charity organization, we work to maintain accurate and secure information, managing the data in a uniform way, established through our relationship in accordance with the American College of Emergency Physicians. As we are unable to accommodate Mr. [redacted]’s requests to his satisfaction, we are providing a full refund of his membership for 2013 and 2014. We ask that he allow 2-3 weeks for the full refund to be processed. We have terminated his services effective this morning, August 7, 2014.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: My brother [redacted] passed away Oct. 1, 2014. I am his sister and personal representative. He sent a check dated Oct. 1, 2014 for a 3 year contract. Upon calling them & cancelling, they told me no refunds. This I believe is a very poor policy. My brother was cancelling because he was deceased (I actually cancelled) not because he didn't want the service any longer. I believe there should be a prorated refund.Desired Settlement: Prorated refund

Business

Response:

We are issuing a refund of $70 to the estate of [redacted] who passed. We hope we were able to provide a sense of security and protection to him and his family during his years as a member.

Consumer

Response:

Consumer states that she accepts the business offer but would like state that their answer to consumer inquiries regarding issues like these were bad business practice. Consumer would like to be contacted on the delivery status of the check. She would like the check sent to [redacted]