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Letters from Medic Alert

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
H

HOBIE

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I have had 2 letters from them wanting money. I have had my bangle for more than 20yrs & no other calls for money. When i got this thing there was no details of getting charged every year for it. (all it is a device with phone number on). A one off payment not yearly payment. 😡 cos they have changed the rules.
 
When I was with them it was an annual payment of around ?20, which I see is now ?30.

I ended up giving up, not so much on the annual fee, but the charges for amending ones details after one used the two included alterations. It would of cost me a fortune as my meds have constantly been changing.

I noticed on Google that its been reported that in America lifetime members of their medic alert service were getting billed, don't know if its the same company.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174992/
 
Maybe a one-off trip to the local engraver for a dog tag is in order?
 
HOBIE said:
I have had 2 letters from them wanting money. I have had my bangle for more than 20yrs & no other calls for money. When i got this thing there was no details of getting charged every year for it. (all it is a device with phone number on). A one off payment not yearly payment. 😡 cos they have changed the rules.
Click to expand...

I had one of those letters a while back told them quite firmly to delete all of my details as their prices were worse than any bank charges I had ever heard of 😱

I think you could change tel no., and address free of charge but any medical details......... ie, insulin pump user then it was something like ?27.

My personal view is they have breached the original contract that I and you had signed all those years ago.
 
I have never been asked for money before, cant remember when i got it & if it was a lifetime thing (i bet it was). I think i will just get a black marker pen & right it on me heed :confused:😉
 
Universal Medical is still free for the online record (engraved on your bracelet, etc) if you buy a bracelet, necklace etc, and a stainless steel one is only ?20.99.

see: http://www.universalmedicalid.co.uk/
This service is free for life with the purchase of any medical ID.

No enrollment fees
No annual fees - ever!
 
I agree sue. I think we are being asked to pay for a big office block with lots of staff & bosses with mercs. I am not paying any coins so wish me luck 🙂
 
Thanks Vic. Have been on site & looks good. They even do usb with all medical stuff that you want to put on. 🙂
 
Pumper_Sue said:
My personal view is they have breached the original contract that I and you had signed all those years ago.
Click to expand...

Are you 100% certain that there wasn't a clause that said eg

We retain the right to change the terms of this contract whenever we feel like it

:confused:
 
trophywench said:
Are you 100% certain that there wasn't a clause that said eg

We retain the right to change the terms of this contract whenever we feel like it

:confused:
Click to expand...

Not 100% sure nope. but there were two levels of payment one off life or an annual payment. So unless I'm closely related to Dr who and have regenerated, I can't see how they can change it.
 
Vicsetter said:
Universal Medical is still free for the online record (engraved on your bracelet, etc) if you buy a bracelet, necklace etc, and a stainless steel one is only ?20.99.

see: http://www.universalmedicalid.co.uk/
This service is free for life with the purchase of any medical ID.

No enrollment fees
No annual fees - ever!
Click to expand...

I have just received my Universal Medical necklace and a spare for 1/2 price, at least this is a one off payment, with access to the online database [www.myihr.com]which is available 24/7-365 and free. I have decided that I will no longer have a medic alert membership, it was about ?15 ten years ago, now ?27 and will probably increase😎
 
I'm liking the look of this Universal Medical, I have an SOS Talisman at the moment, but when I need a new one I may consider a change.
 
What attracted me to the Universal Medical ID, is that I have engraved on the front my 'dog tag' medallion, my name, that I have diabetes T2, on the back I have engraved, my medication, blood type, and that I am an organ donor.

Whereas with medic alert a first responder/ health professional has to, contact medic alert, quote the membership number for the patients details.

I have to say that I have been a bit miffed to say the least that medic alert charges an annual [membership] fee for keeping my details, if I had discovered Universal Medical ID earlier, I probably would have moved earlier🙄

At the end of the day ?27 annual fee, which will probably increase now that they have moved, is still money that can be put to use elsewhere.

Even if Universal Medical ID folded tomorrow, I still have the medallion.
 
I like the idea you can update the medical details yourself & alter at a later date. 🙂
 
I have a silver bracelet from universal medical alert which my hubby bought me for Xmas a couple of years ago. The whole idea is brill. Unfortunately the bracelet hubby bought was too small so I sent it back with a cheque for ?14.50 to lengthen it (no argument with that) they lost it. It eventually took me 4 months to get it replaced... and the replacement went black, so they replaced it again, by this time it was July(!) but having said that it's a lovely bracelet that I like wearing and it gives me the security that people can get at my medical details and I can alter them at will.

The iniquitous charges from Medicalert have been discussed on several forums and I rather think they will be losing their customer base.
 
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We do use medic alert for my son but they are certainly overpriced! Does this Universal one engrave an emergency contact no. on the ID?
 
Up to a certain number of characters they will engrave whatever you ask them to Redkite.
 
Thanks. I'll save the info for when our medicalert subscription next comes up!
 
I put my Nhs number,address,phone nos,Type 1 etc engraved for free, Will get in a few days . Will let you know what its like. 🙂 Help them trying to help you !
 
having read another thread about medic alert charges I looked into it. I was told if ever I was in an accident and they were contacted I'd be charged for that too. AT this point I said well I am not renewing my subscription then as I have never needed it and I have enough things on me already (including my worj pass) and a bracelet that reads diabetes that I didn't need them anyway.
 
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