What to do with leftover supplies after switching devices or insurance
The short version: When your doctor or insurer moves you to a different meter, sensor, or pump, the sealed boxes left over from the old system are yours to sell, as long as they weren't paid for by Medicare or Medicaid. Sell them soon. They lose value as the expiration date approaches and as the old model is phased out.
Why this happens so often
Diabetes technology changes quickly, and insurance changes every January. The common situations:
- Strips to a sensor. Your doctor prescribes a CGM and the boxes of test strips in the cabinet go mostly unused.
- One sensor to another. You move from FreeStyle Libre to Dexcom, or the other way, or to a newer model of the same brand.
- Injections or a tubed pump to Omnipod 5. Or a change between pump brands, which leaves infusion sets behind.
- A new insurance plan. The new formulary covers a different brand, and the old supplies no longer match your meter or pump.
- Auto-shipments that didn't stop. A 90-day supply arrives after the prescription changed.
In every one of these, you end up with sealed boxes you will never open.
What's worth selling
- Sealed test strips: Accu-Chek, FreeStyle Lite, Contour Next
- Sealed sensors: Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre, Medtronic Guardian 4
- Sealed pods and infusion sets: Omnipod 5 and DASH, Tandem
Some older products no longer have a resale market. Dexcom G6 is the main one. We'd rather tell you that up front. The full picture is in how much supplies are worth.
Sell sooner, not later
Two clocks are running on leftover supplies. One is the expiration date: offers step down as the date gets closer. The other is the product itself. When a manufacturer replaces a model, demand for the old one fades. Boxes that would bring a good offer today may bring much less in six months.
Keep what you might need
Before you sell, make sure you are settled on the new system. Many people keep a meter and a small supply of strips as a backup even after moving to a CGM. Ask your doctor what backup you should have on hand, and only sell what is truly extra.
How to sell
Text a photo of the boxes to (469) 248-7159. In Dallas–Fort Worth we meet you and pay cash. Anywhere else, in Texas or any other state, we send a free mail-in label and pay by Zelle or Venmo the day your box arrives and checks out.
Common questions
I switched from test strips to a CGM. Can I sell the strips?
Yes, if they are sealed, in date, and a brand we buy: Accu-Chek Aviva Plus or SmartView, FreeStyle Lite, or Contour Next 100-count.
I upgraded from Dexcom G6 to G7. Do you buy the leftover G6?
No. We don't buy G6 sensors or transmitters right now. We do buy sealed G7.
My auto-shipments kept coming after my prescription changed. Can I sell the extras?
If they are sealed, in date, and weren't paid for by Medicare or Medicaid, yes. It's also worth calling the supplier to stop the shipments.
Insurance moved me to a different brand. Is the old brand still worth anything?
Usually, if it's on our buy list. A brand your plan no longer covers is still one that other people use.
Related guides
Is it legal in Texas? · What supplies are worth · Expired and short-dated boxes · Box condition guide · How to photograph boxes · Selling by mail in Texas · Pickup or mail-in? · Selling 20+ boxes · Selling safely · Selling a relative's supplies ·
Selling something specific? Test strips · Accu-Chek strips · Contour Next · FreeStyle Lite · Dexcom G7 · FreeStyle Libre · Omnipod · Medtronic · Tandem · Where we buy in Texas