Medical Alert Systems Through Indiana Medicaid: PERS Coverage and Options

A fall at 2 AM. No one else in the house. Your parent lies on the floor for hours before anyone realizes something is wrong. A personal emergency response system (PERS) — the pendant or wristband that connects to a 24/7 monitoring center with one button press — prevents that scenario. And if your parent is on Indiana Medicaid, it may be covered at no cost.

How Indiana Medicaid Covers PERS

Personal Emergency Response Systems are a covered service under the PathWays for Aging waiver for Medicaid-eligible seniors aged 60 and older. The system typically includes:

• A base unit connected to the home phone line or cellular network
• A waterproof wearable pendant or wristband with a call button
• 24/7 monitoring center that dispatches emergency services when activated
• Monthly testing to verify the system is operational

To receive a Medicaid-funded PERS, your parent must be enrolled in the PathWays for Aging waiver with an active Person-Centered Service Plan. The MCE's care coordinator authorizes the device as part of the care plan based on fall risk assessment and living situation (particularly important for seniors living alone).

The CHOICE program may also cover PERS for eligible seniors who are not yet on the Medicaid waiver. Check with your local Area Agency on Aging about CHOICE-funded emergency response options.

If Your Parent Isn't on Medicaid

Private-pay PERS options range from $25 to $50 per month for basic monitored systems. Many companies offer:

• Traditional landline systems — base unit plugs into a phone jack, pendant has a 300–600 foot range
• Cellular/mobile systems — no landline required, GPS tracking for outside the home
• Smartwatch-style devices — automatic fall detection, GPS, two-way voice communication

When comparing private options, verify:

• Is fall detection automatic or button-press only?
• Does the monitoring center contact your designated family members or just 911?
• Is there a contract or can you cancel month-to-month?
• What happens during a power outage — does the system have battery backup?

Getting Started

If your parent is enrolled in PathWays for Aging, ask the care coordinator to add PERS to the service plan during the next quarterly review (or sooner if there's been a fall or near-miss).

If your parent isn't on the waiver yet, a PERS device is one of the most cost-effective safety measures you can put in place immediately — $30/month for private pay versus the cost of a single ER visit after an undetected fall.

For families building a complete safety plan that includes PERS alongside home modifications, attendant care, and waiver services, the Indiana Home Care, Waivers & Support Guide covers how to coordinate all the pieces through Indiana's care system.

See more Indiana guides →