The payout for unused diabetic supplies depends on four factors: the product family, the brand, the months remaining before expiry and the condition of the box.
CGM sensors and insulin pump supplies hold the highest value, insulin pens and brand-name test strips sit in the middle, and lancets and pen needles sit at the bottom. A box with more than a year to expiry in perfect condition receives the full quoted price.
The quote tool returns the exact payout for each item in seconds. The sections below explain each factor and rank the product families.
Which diabetic supplies pay the most
Continuous glucose monitor sensors and insulin pump supplies pay the most per box, because the retail price is highest and the demand from patients paying out of pocket is highest. The ranking by product family, from highest to lowest payout per box, is given below:
- CGM sensors and readers: Dexcom G7 sensors, Dexcom G6 sensors and transmitters, FreeStyle Libre 2 and Libre 3 sensors.
- Insulin pump supplies: Omnipod 5 pods, Omnipod DASH pods, Medtronic infusion sets and reservoirs.
- Insulin pens and vials with a US NDC label.
- GLP-1 pens in sealed retail boxes.
- Brand-name test strips: OneTouch Verio, Accu-Chek Guide, Contour Next, FreeStyle Lite, True Metrix.
- Inhalers in sealed retail packaging.
- Pen needles and lancets.
Our diabetic supply buyback program publishes a quote for every item in these families.
How the brand changes the payout
Brands with the largest patient base pay more, because resold supplies must match the meter or device a patient already owns. OneTouch, Accu-Chek, Contour and FreeStyle test strips pay more than store brands. Dexcom G7 pays more than older CGM generations. Retail-box Dexcom items pay more than DME or sample packs.
A brand that does not appear on the quote tool has no resale demand and is not purchased. The current list of test strip brands we buy and the Dexcom and Libre buyback items are on their category pages.
How the expiry date changes the payout
Payout rises with the months remaining before expiry, because the buyer of the resold box needs time to use it. The quote tool asks for the expiry month and prices each tier separately.
Boxes with 12 months or more receive the full price.
Boxes between 7 and 12 months receive a reduced price.
Boxes under 7 months are rejected.
Sellers with several boxes of one product enter each expiry month as a separate line.
How the box condition changes the payout
A factory sealed box in clean condition receives the full quote; a box with minor shelf wear receives a deduction; an opened, crushed, stained or torn box receives nothing.
The grade is set at inspection, not at the quote. Deductions for minor damage are shown with a photograph in the inspection result. The condition grades with examples are on the rejected products page.
How a quote is calculated
A quote equals the current price for the product and expiry tier, multiplied by the quantity, with the condition grade applied at inspection.
The quote holds for 10 days. Shipping is free with the prepaid USPS label, so the quoted amount is the amount paid for accepted items.
The four steps from quote to payment are explained in the guide on how the buyback process works.
Why buyers pay for unused diabetic supplies
Buyers pay for sealed diabetic supplies because patients without insurance or with high deductibles buy them below retail price. Test strips cost between $1 and $2 each at retail.
A month of CGM sensors costs several hundred dollars at retail. A sealed, unexpired box resold below retail saves a patient money and returns part of the cost to the seller. Expired or opened supplies are never resold, which is why they carry no value.
Selling locally, on marketplaces, or to a buyback service
A buyback service pays a fixed quoted price with free shipping; marketplaces and local buyers pay less and carry more risk. eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist remove listings for medical supplies under their policies.
Pawn shops rarely accept medical items. Local cash buyers advertise on signs and pay below the online quote. The full comparison is in the guide to selling test strips locally versus online.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a published price list?
The quote tool is the price list. Prices change with market demand, so the tool shows the current value for each product and expiry tier.
Do Dexcom G6 and G7 pay the same?
No. Dexcom G7 sensors pay more than Dexcom G6 sensors. Retail-box items pay more than DME-labelled items.
Do test strip brands pay differently?
Yes. OneTouch Verio, Accu-Chek Guide and Contour Next pay more than less common brands.
Does a pharmacy label reduce the payout?
No. Labels are removed at inspection. A box damaged while removing a label is graded as damaged.
Is the quoted price the amount paid?
Yes for every item graded as accepted. Deducted items are paid at the reduced grade shown in the inspection result.
Do pen needles and lancets have a minimum?
Yes. Pen needles have a five box minimum. Lancets are quoted per box.
