Insurers Should Help Pay For Senior GPS Tracking Bracelets
One of the biggest problems facing the baby boomer generation is rising health care costs. Doctor visits and prescription drug costs continue to rise, leaving many seniors struggling to sufficiently manage their health-related issues. One of the more serious health problems facing the elderly is the degenerative disease known as Alzheimer’s, and sadly no known cure is available. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s present many unique challenges not only to the person diagnosed but also family members and caregivers. This is because one of the very problematic symptoms of the degenerative illness is the behavior of wandering. Wandering seniors can place themselves in harm’s way, but GPS tracking bracelets offer a convenient way for families and caregivers to monitor high-risk seniors. The only problem is that GPS tracker hardware and data plan costs are often not covered by medical insurance providers.
GPS Tracker Bracelets: What’s The Cost?
Many healthcare costs can be extremely expensive. MRIs, medications, wheelchairs and a number of other products or services can cost thousands of dollars. Even those with some of the best insurance coverage plans have to fork out large sums of cash for surgeries, doctor visits and prescription drugs. GPS tracker devices also come with a cost, but a relatively small cost when compared to many of the other costs associated with medical care. For example, a reliable senior GPS tracking bracelet will cost roughly $700.00. This one-time cost is not a rental, rather the purchasing cost for a person/family/medical center to on the GPS tracking hardware. GPS tracking watches or bracelets provide real-time GPS locational data. Therefore, they send and receive data in the same way a mobile device transmits data. This data transfer requires a monthly cost. The average monthly data plan for a senior GPS tracker is $29 per month.
Getting Medical Coverage For GPS
Every health insurance coverage provider has different plans for people. HMOs and PPOs all come with some advantages and disadvantages and that is why seniors should research different policies based on their medical coverage needs. GPS tracker bracelets are very affordable compared to the cost of many other medical devices, and the trackers are necessary to keep many seniors battling Alzheimer’s from wandering. Therefore, some health insurance plans will cover the cost of GPS tracking hardware and monthly tracking costs. People in need of GPS tracker bracelets should speak directly with their insurance provider so see what options are available and what costs can be covered. However, no price tag can be placed on the safety of a loved one. With the cost of personal GPS tracking devices being so affordable, any person or family needing such a device should make the investment.

Sage is a freelance writer with a background in information technology.