Can You Sell Diabetic Supplies After a Family Member Dies? (Yes, With One Important Exception)

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Losing someone is hard. Sorting through what they left behind can be harder.

If a loved one with diabetes recently passed away, you may be facing a cabinet — or a whole closet — of unused supplies: boxes of test strips, unused CGM sensors, maybe sealed pump supplies or insulin pens. It feels strange to even think about selling them. But it’s also wasteful to throw out hundreds or thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies.

The good news: in most cases, you can legally sell unused diabetic supplies from a deceased family member’s estate. There’s one important exception we’ll cover below, but for most families, this is a legitimate way to recover some value and ensure the supplies help someone else who needs them.

Let me walk you through how this works.

Start With the One Important Question

Before selling anything, you need to answer a single question:

How did the deceased get their supplies?

This matters because under federal law, diabetic supplies originally paid for by Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, or the VA cannot be resold. Even if your loved one received them legally, the law prohibits transferring them to a new owner after the fact.

Here’s how to check:

  • Look at the prescription label on the pharmacy bag or the side of the box. Medicare and Medicaid prescriptions are typically labeled with specific insurance information.
  • Check their records if you have access. Pharmacy receipts, insurance statements, or DME supplier invoices will usually indicate the payer.
  • Ask a family member who handled their healthcare. A spouse or caregiver often knows.

If your loved one had private insurance, an employer plan, a Medicare Advantage plan from a commercial carrier (this is nuanced — check with us), or paid out of pocket, you’re almost certainly clear to sell.

If their supplies were through Medicare Part B, straight Medicaid, the VA, or TRICARE — we can’t buy them, and no other legitimate buyer will either. In that case, the best option is to donate them. Organizations like SafeNetRx, Mercy Medical Angels, and some local diabetic support groups accept sealed supply donations.

What We Can Buy From an Estate

Assuming the supplies were not government-funded, here’s what we commonly purchase from estates:

  • Test strips — OneTouch, FreeStyle, Contour, Accu-Chek (other brands not currently purchased)
  • Dexcom G6 and G7 sensors, transmitters, and receivers
  • FreeStyle Libre sensors (2, 2 Plus, 3, 3 Plus, 14 Day) and readers
  • Omnipod pods (5, DASH, original)
  • Medtronic pump supplies
  • Sealed lancets and lancing devices

What We Can’t Buy (Even From an Estate)

  • Insulin of any kind — Humalog, Novolog, Lantus, Tresiba, Basaglar, etc.
  • GLP-1 medications — Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, Rybelsus
  • Any prescription medication
  • Opened or expired supplies
  • Used pumps or worn CGMs

Insulin is the item families most often ask about. It would be wonderful if we could redistribute it, but federal and state pharmacy laws prohibit anyone except licensed pharmacists from reselling prescription medications. There are some insulin-donation programs — but they have strict intake requirements.

How the Process Works for Estate Situations

We handle estate sales gently. Typical process:

  1. Take photos of everything. Don’t worry about organizing or sorting — just lay the supplies out and photograph them.
  2. Text the photos to 812-648-0149 or submit through our quote form. Tell us it’s an estate situation so we know to be patient and thorough.
  3. We identify and price each item. Most estates include a mix of brands and types. We’ll go through everything and give you a line-by-line quote.
  4. You decide what to sell and what to keep or donate. No pressure. Some families want to sell everything. Others keep certain items for sentimental or practical reasons.
  5. Bring supplies to our east-side Terre Haute office, or arrange mail-in if you’re farther away. For larger estates or families with mobility limitations, we can arrange in-person pickup within 50 miles.
  6. Get paid same day — cash, Cash App, PayPal, or Zelle.

The Emotional Side

For a lot of families, the supplies are more than just medical equipment. They represent years of daily management — the routines of a parent, spouse, or sibling. It’s okay to take your time.

We’ve worked with families who turned the proceeds into a memorial donation, paid for funeral costs, or simply covered the groceries that month. All of those feel right. The supplies were going to go unused; turning them into something meaningful is a way of honoring the person who left them.

A Quick Note on Taxes

Occasional sales of personal property at estate cleanup usually don’t trigger tax obligations, but if you’re handling a large estate or anticipate significant proceeds, check with the estate’s CPA or attorney. We don’t provide tax advice, but we’re happy to provide documentation of any sale for the estate’s records.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re ready — or even just starting to think about it — we’d be glad to walk through your situation at your own pace. There’s no pressure, no rush, and no charge to get a quote.

Call or text 812-648-0149. We answer the phone, and we’ll take as much time as you need.