A system and methods of maintaining communication with a medical device for exchange of information, instructions, and programs, in a highly reliable manner. Apparatus and methods for accomplishing this task include:1) The inclusion of a locating device in the system, in close proximity to an implanted device, but which does not drain the implanted device battery. The locating device may be implanted or external to the body.2) The use of motion detection and global positioning system devices to locate elements within a communicating system for the medical device；3) The assessment of received signal quality by elements of the system；4) The use of a notification system for a device user who is moving out of range of communications； and5) Documenting the absolute and functional integrity of instructions received by the medical device.
