In a wireless battery operated medical component (10), a battery life monitor, particularly a voltage monitor (16), takes voltage readings of a battery (12) to assess charge level as the battery (12) drains. The monitored charge level and medical data are transmitted (20) to a receiver (22) associated with a remote host unit (24). The host unit includes historical and typical battery level information and estimates remaining life of the battery (12). Battery life and medical information are displayed on a user interface (42). Typical battery operated medical components include EKG sensors, pulse sensors, blood oxygen sensors, blood measure sensors, brain wave sensors, temperature sensors, perfusion pumps, IV drip controllers, patient identification tags or wrist bands, pacemakers, respirators, x-ray detectors, and an MRI coils.