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Cardionet review: biotel mcot 31

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Author of the review
10:53 am EDT
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The heart monitor they sent me does not work. The patches kept coming loose, and when I finally got one to stick the sensor failed to communicate with the cell phone monitor. Every time I called I got a different reason. First it was a network problem and keep wearing the patch. Next was with a Technician that walked me through the process and I was told if it failed again they would send me another unit. It failed again last night after a few minutes and this morning another Technician refused to believe I have a defective unit and wanted me to go through the whole process again and started arguing with me. At this point I'd had enough, I'm sending it back.

This was a complete waste of time.

31 comments
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Barbie H
Sarasota, US
Apr 06, 2023 9:13 pm EDT

First heart monitor they sent me didn’t work. Then they billed me almost $1,000 after I was told it would be completely covered by insurance. Worst company ever. I regret using their product.

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MMim
Glendale, US
Dec 21, 2022 2:13 pm EST
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I wore the BioTel portable cardiac monitor for 2 weeks out of the prescribed 30 days. Skin issues prompted me into wearing the wired electrode unit. 2 weeks into the 30 days of monitoring, I called Philips Biotel and requested more hypoallergenic leads. Representative told me that my account was closed on the day that I applied the unit, then I was told that no data came through, then I was told that data did indeed come through but it was "artifact", illegible readings. Asked why I was not notified through messages on the phone, one tech told me that yes they did message multiple times. I told him that I did not receive the messages as I checked daily on the monitor for correspondence. I told him if it was not communicating and they tried to reach out and didn't hear back, why did they not call me, email me, or contact the prescribing physician? Notified my Cardiologist, sent the unit back, and am Thankful that I didn't experience a life-threatening arrhythmia while (NOT) being monitored.

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Runia
Bonneau, US
Dec 05, 2022 10:18 am EST

I had the same problem as many others.Will send it back

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Runia
Bonneau, US
Dec 05, 2022 10:16 am EST

I had the same issues and I won’t put it back on...

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ASUS SUCKS
Cleveland, US
Oct 05, 2022 11:28 am EDT
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I guess you're lucky I have had four defective heart monitors the original one installed by Carolina cardiology was defective.. biotel sent me another one.. it was defective.. biotel sent me another one.. it was defective... so I started yelling and screaming and using some very graphic language finally Carolina cardiology Richard Street return my call finally and said to come in they're going to give me another one... it was defective...

I strongly suggest to anybody stay away from by hotel this is my heart and Carolina cardiology is incompetent lazy and stupid it is Pickens county South Carolina and they don't have enough intelligence to be respectful and understand healthcare... calls to Prisma advocate are no good... Carolina cardiology refuses to return all calls... so you're lucky at least you get some help... live contacting and raising all kinds of paperwork I'm sure it will not do any good...

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Retomp
Wilsey, US
Nov 09, 2022 1:43 pm EST
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Replying to comment of ASUS SUCKS

I got billed for the defected device, which they claim it was working but they phone said no signal and the patch always was flashing not being connected. The second device they sent didn't pick up high heartrate or my heart fluttering. Still got billed for them both. Not happy

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American Patriot14
, US
Sep 30, 2022 5:46 pm EDT

i am just figuring that biotel sucks..all true reviews..sent me defective sensor...then sent me another defective sensor...then sent me eefective monitor..i am right now on number 4...sooo po'd...carolina cardiogy..lied..kicked me non patient...as a heart patient with missing or inappropriate care...im now a non patient.. Easley sc..

nothing i can do..women all got together lied ..im gone...

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Tafv Skywatcher
, US
Sep 27, 2022 4:50 am EDT

how many other people have been burned by the MCOT device either thru the patch system or the lead wire? should there be a class action? I am all for their being better technology for medical issues to be diagnosed and monitored but this is this device hurting more than it is helping?

let me know what you think?

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not at all happy with the situation
newyork, US
May 24, 2023 6:28 am EDT

this also happened to me second-degree burns when I called it and they really didn’t care that this has taken place

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Connie Burrell
Madison, US
Oct 12, 2023 8:59 am EDT

I just got mine couple days ago and has been burning I WILL NOT BE WEARING THIS left a bruise on my chest how embarrassing I am PISSED 😤

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Larry Chadwick
, US
Aug 03, 2022 1:09 pm EDT

WHAT A FRAUD!...MEDICARE should cease funding this sub par hustle. DOJ reports a $6.4 million dollar lawsuit against this corporation. It has made fraudulent claims against patients/our government.

As most users have attested, I, too, was frustrated with the lack of connectivity for the majority period of time.

Unfortunately, while at a hospital taking a chest scan, I removed the sensor. Moving around for numerous procedures, the sensor device was lost. This was reported to BioTel.

They have harassed me for over 4-6 months in trying to force me to pay $995 JUST FOR THE SENSOR ONLY! MEDICARE billing advised me not to pay the amount because the whole set cost a total of $990.

Even after sending them the billing statement from MEDICARE, they still are trying to force me to pay $995. An itemized cost for each component has been duly requested from them. They refuse to comply.

THIS COMPANY IS OUTRAGEOUS!

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ABruster
, US
Jul 31, 2022 1:22 pm EDT

My 18 yrs old son was told to wear one for 2 weeks. Have had several connectivity issues. On night 4, my son was woken up with his chest burning under the sensor patch. He took the patch off and told me the next morning. I took the sensor and monitor and turned them off and put back in the package. He will not wear it any more. This is a serious issue with these systems. BioTel, fix your stuff.

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linda29
, US
Jul 13, 2022 4:44 pm EDT

My cardiologist ordered this device for heart monitoring. A rash developed from the pads as well. The biggest complaint that I had with the device is the error messages and having to stay on the phone for multiple hours waiting for customer service to answer the phone. After customer service answered they were able to tell me the steps to correct this error message. The first device had to be returned as it continued to have issues. The second device was delivered free of charge. Then I got the bill. Very unhappy with the cost of wearing the device for 1 month. I contacted Biotel to dispute the charge, which I did not win. They offered to put me on a payment plan which is not the issue. The issue is the high cost associated with the device. I had no idea at how expensive it is. I asked for a break down in the cost. They told me the cost is for using the device and reading the data but could not or would not provide a break down of the associated cost. If you need a heart monitor, I recommend that you understand the cost prior to accepting the device and to request options for an alternative device.

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Michael Batman
Fairfield, US
Jul 08, 2022 11:02 pm EDT

I just began using the heart monitor yesterday. The 1st patch I applied repeatedly failed to connect. The 2nd patch connected but repeated disconnected over 12 hours, apparently because (1) the seatbelt lightly brushed it, (2) I was sitting on the sofa and (3) multiple times while I was cleaning litter boxes. That patch most definitely is not designed to allow normal activities. After 12 hours, it prompted me to apply a 3rd patch due to the many failures. I refused to do so, totally frustrated. I work in IT and it was obvious that the patch doesn't form a good connection with the body. I therefore switched to using the leads: a more old-fashioned design approach. I got a good connection immediately and the device has been working without issue for 12 hours, even through cleaning the litterboxes. I strongly recommend not using the patches and just using the leads to save yourself frustration and wasted time. (The instructions say not to use the leads unless instructed to do so. No one instructed me to do so, but when I inquired about using them, they said I could.)

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Dissapointed customer1234
Cambridge Springs, US
Jun 30, 2022 11:49 pm EDT

Completely dissatisfied with BIOTEL MCOT 30 day heart monitor. It burned my skin. The darker areas feel fried. I got blisters on my skin and I’m pretty sure it will scar. Can hardly wear anything with straps (which as a woman is hard to not do). Never again.

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Dissapointed customer1234
Cambridge Springs, US
Jun 30, 2022 11:48 pm EDT

The BIOTEL MCOT 30 day heart monitor absolutely destroyed my skin. The darker red areas feel as if they literally fried (they are elevated and harder than the rest of my skin). It gave me blisters and I think my skin is going to scar. Never again. Completely disappointed and absolutely not worth it.

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Rose McI
Tulsa, US
Aug 12, 2022 11:48 am EDT
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The patch did the same exact thing to me. I just sent my unit back to Biotel two days ago and I will refuse to use this company’s product ever again should my doctor put in another prescription for one. Plus the sensor never worked right. Didn’t sync correctly with the monitor.

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BCW48
, US
Jun 23, 2022 12:25 pm EDT

My Biotel heart monitor patches gave me terrible irritation/burns on my skin. I called the company and one of their representatives suggested the crafle with only two small patches. They itched worse than the big patches. I managed to get 30 days but never again. Plus their charges are ridiculous! Medicare and/ow BCBS paid $9000 every time I had to wear it. And this time makes three times that I had to wear it. Apparently many people complain with burns/skin irritation. This company needs to do better.

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Sharon Kintz
, US
Jun 19, 2022 11:20 pm EDT

What an experience …..Not a pleasant one I must say. Second device. First one they sent , they locked the phone and they had me send it back. New one arrives. They send 5 patches ; to be changed every 5 day. Well it lasted only 3 days….next “TYE” customer service rude individual said “it is probably a used monitor”.

Great well with 5 patches you can hardly stretch that out to meet every 3 days…so smart mouth TYE said….we will send you more patches….well I said “ how about sending me a new monitor so I don’t RIP my husbands skin off every 3 days. “ For what this company charges we should have a new monitor.” Smart mouth TYE said “ No we are not sending you a new monitor they are all used”. Absolute rip off….and that goes for the skin the tape takes with it. JOKE….this is health care? This is a rip off, in every sense of the word. I am sending this to the physician who ordered this joke.

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Kristy love
Blanchester, US
Jun 17, 2022 9:46 pm EDT

Not much of a review yet except this first day i put on(which was yesterday6/16/22) i put the patch on within an hour i called them they said it wasnt on an so i had to remove the patch fyi it was bothering me but for that hour i had it on. So i removed it as instructed an my chest was on fire the patch burned my chest bad. Just water touching it is painful.today i put the electrode one on and the little patches on one side toutches the burn and the rope necklace u have to wear.i called and they didnt habe much to say exect seek medical treatment.this shouldnt be on the market. My chest continues to be on fire this should not be on the market.

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dadgad
, US
Jun 14, 2022 4:50 pm EDT

Yes, all of the above, rash where patch is, constant alarms: monitor not connected to device, no cell reception move to another location?, patch not connected to skin try pressing down firmly, etc. I had to call the company the first day and all they could say was that sense my phone would not pick up a Sprint cell signal ANYWHERE in my house including my front yard, I would have to get in my car several times a day and drive somewhere until I picked up cell reception. Really? I finally had it this morning after the first 7 of my "prescribed" 14 days and took the damn thing off. I wrote my doctor and asked if she had enough data to discontinue, and if not, why. I am an otherwise extremely fit 65 year old male who swims laps daily along with high intensity workouts on my bike, but was having PVCs that were often enough to be worrisome. My doctor put me on 25 mg of Metoprolol once a day and the PVCs disappeared, but she still insisted on doing this test. The ball is in her court now and unless she can show compelling evidence that the PVCs are dangerous (although since I am not having any that seems absurd) then the patch stays off and gets mailed back next week.

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Ray Sinsay
, US
May 21, 2022 12:01 am EDT

So many issues and customer service agent didn’t pick up the calls for more than 30 minutes. Sensor internal error with first set. Second set sensor wouldn’t charge and connect to patch. So annoying that I have to go back to the UPS store and send the second one back. Hopefully third time will be the charm because I have a feeling that this monitor dilemma is only making my heart condition worsen.

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R Sinsay
, US
May 21, 2022 12:00 am EDT

So many issues and customer service agent didn’t pick up the calls for more than 30 minutes. Sensor internal error with first set. Second set sensor wouldn’t charge and connect to patch. So annoying that I have to go back to the UPS store and send the second one back. Hopefully third time will be the charm because I have a feeling that this monitor dilemma is only making my heart condition worsen.

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Ray Sinsay
, US
May 20, 2022 11:58 pm EDT

So many issues and customer service agent didn’t pick up the calls for more than 30 minutes. Sensor internal error with first set. Second set sensor wouldn’t charge and connect to patch. So annoying that I have to go back to the UPS store and send the second one back. Hopefully third time will be the charm because I have a feeling that this monitor dilemma is only making my heart condition worsen.

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hitchens
Sarasota, US
May 07, 2022 10:43 am EDT
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My experience with Bio-Tel heart monitoring was unsatisfactory for the following reasons.

1. The original device began malfunctioning in less than a day.

2. After the second malfunction, a customer service rep told me that the device had to be replaced by company policy and that a replacement device would be overnighted to me. The "overnight" shipping took 5 days.

3. The company failed to adjust the monitoring period to reflect the unmonitored time when I was waiting for the replacement. As a result I was monitored for less than 20% of the time requested by my cardiologist.

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Rick Erlinger
, US
Mar 13, 2022 3:54 am EDT

I got a heart monitor from my doctors office on Feb. 16th 2022. The charger stopped working on March 9th. I contacted technical support on Wed. March 9th and they said they would overnight me a new one. On March 10th I received patches not a new charger. I called them again and I was told they would overnight me a new charger. Today is March 13th and I still haven't received it. Meanwhile my prescription to wear the monitor for 30 days is running out. I haven't been able to wear it for the last 4 days however I'm being charged for it. Technical support is useless.

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JillH04
San Antonio, US
Mar 27, 2022 7:59 pm EDT

The same exact thing happened to me. Put on the heart monitor Feb 22, 2022. It failed by Feb 24, 2022. Called customer service (must’ve got the same person). She said she would overnight a new one to me. I got patches. Had to call back and the new agent said that a new monitor was never ordered. Finally got it a week later. How does this happen at least twice?

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Idibs
Tampa, US
Apr 17, 2022 3:25 am EDT
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You have described the problems I am having. It complained about patch disconnected two hours after I got it. Sometimes 30 minutes after I put a new patch. Frustrated, I contacted my cardiologist and they helped put on a new patch. Same problem

I will return the monitor

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People First
North Falmouth, US
Oct 22, 2021 2:01 pm EDT
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I just returned my 'wonder device'...meaning I WONDER WHO PUT THIS ON THE MARKET & IF DOCTORS EVER TRIED ONE FOR THE TWO WEEKS I WAS REQUIRED TO WEAR IT...PLUS! keep within 10 feet of the 'monitor' PLUS CHARGING EVERY NIGHT meaning I had to hook up an extension cord to my bed so I could keep it within the dang 10 feet...Terrible scratching & painful removal from my tender 77 year old skin...
WHAT [censored] put this out? Hoping you make a BUNDLE because I will NEVER be duped into having a doctor prescribe it & a young sweet technician put it on mre! WAS I GIVEN A CHOICE? Oh no...just wear for 2 weeks...Bye Bye...OH! BTW< I had to be driven to the nearest UPS store to RETURN IT! no directions given as to WHERE, JUST DO IT! ...and Googling UPS locations was given the most distant one (20 minutes on way) instead of a closer Staples store. I RETURNED AL OF IT...ALL THE WASTEFUL PASKAGIUNG & PLASTC JUNK...WHYNOT SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC POOST OFFICE system (UPSP) instead of ANOTHER PRIVATE CORPORATE EMPIRE? When 'they' get it, I hope there's an actual PERSON who will read my 3 page 'comment'...SHAMEFUL WASTE of Medicare Medicaid & OUR PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS to support this ridiculous piece of technology only serving corporate hospital & doctor cutbacks of people & staff and FORCING PATIENTS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES and DO FOR THEMSELVES. How sad!
America...what happened to our country? Profit above People, PROFIT BEFORE EVERYTHING.
Sad. Lillia Frantin, Cape Cod MA

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T. Greenwell
, US
Sep 26, 2021 9:36 am EDT
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BioTel Heart Monitor:
I had a monitor installed at my Doctors office, and it started alarming 20 minutes later leaving the doctors office (check leads not connected). I checked them and all of them were perfectly connected.
The transmitter (phone) kept alarming and I received a call company message.
This is when all s—t started! After going through many checks with the devices, they said that they would send me a new unit.. received it and I installed the monitor on my chest following instructions. Both units were fully charged! I turned on the phone/transmitter and it came up with “unit ready to be initialized. Could not go into the operating screen. 📞 the company and spent about 45 minutes with tech, with we will send you another new unit.?

Received the new unit and it had the same problem and resulted in another lengthy phone conversation ending with we will send you another unit. I asked them if they had any quality control? Yes! I asked if they could open the box and verified if the phone 📞 would come on with the proper screen. We will just send me a new one. I asked for them to send me any transmitter/phone they knew it worked No we could not do that.
New unit arrives and same problem! Called them and the guy at BioTel spun his wheels for about 10 to 15 minutes and did some checks on his end and then told me he would call me back. About two hours later, he called and told me to ship all the units back and go see my Doctor. PISSED me off!
I took the patch off my chest and it had irritated my skin and left a deep impression on my chest and left 15 or more sores or more and a severe rash. It has been 20 hours and my chest looks like Hell!
I wish I could attach a photo! I don’t recommend dealing with this company!
Tim G.

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Alexa Jones
, US
Jun 12, 2022 1:33 pm EDT

same issues as all of the above. An absolutely wretched device.