What to Do With a Loved One’s Diabetic Supplies After They Pass

Quick answer: A loved one’s sealed, unexpired diabetic supplies can usually be donated or sold for cash, while opened or expired items should be safely disposed of. There’s no rush — sort them when you’re ready, and let nothing usable go to waste.

Sorting through a loved one’s belongings is hard, and medical supplies can feel like an especially uncertain pile to deal with. We work with families in this situation often, and we want to make it simple and pressure-free. Here’s a calm, practical guide to what to do with diabetic supplies after someone passes.

First, there’s no hurry

Sealed supplies aren’t going anywhere. Set them aside until you have the energy to deal with them. When you’re ready, the task is mostly about sorting into three simple piles: sell, donate, or dispose.

What can be donated or sold

If the supplies are sealed, unexpired, and were not obtained through Medicare or Medicaid, they can typically be donated or sold. That includes:

• Unopened test strips
• Sealed Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre sensors
• Sealed Omnipod pods and Medtronic pump supplies
• Unopened lancets

Selling recovers some value during an expensive time; donating gives directly to someone in need. Both are good outcomes — our guide to donating vs. selling can help you decide what feels right.

What should be disposed of

Opened, expired, or damaged supplies can’t be sold or donated and should be discarded safely. Lancets and needles are “sharps” and need a proper sharps container — never loose in the trash. Our safe disposal guide walks through doing this responsibly.

A note on insulin and prescriptions

Prescription medications, including insulin, can’t be resold. Many pharmacies and communities offer medication take-back programs for safe disposal — a good option for any leftover prescriptions.

Why it matters

Diabetic supplies are expensive, and there are people who struggle to afford them. Passing along sealed, in-date boxes — whether you sell or donate — means your loved one’s leftover supplies help someone else manage their health. If you’d like to understand who benefits, see why people buy used test strips. And if it’s easier to mail than meet, our free mail-in option is available nationwide.

Frequently asked questions