Selling Diabetic Test Strips: The Reddit Questions, Answered
If you've searched this with "reddit" on the end, you're looking for a straight answer rather than a sales pitch. Fair enough. Here are the questions that come up most, answered honestly — including the one situation where selling is genuinely illegal, and the parts that don't flatter buyers like us.
The short version on legality
Reselling your own unused, unexpired, over-the-counter supplies is legal. Selling supplies paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or another government health program is a federal offense — and a buyer who knowingly purchases them can be liable as well.
That's why we ask. We don't buy government-funded supplies, and we'd rather turn down a box than put either of us in that position.
Is it legal to sell diabetic test strips?
In most cases yes, with one significant exception. Test strips sold over the counter are ordinary consumer goods and reselling your own unused, unexpired boxes is legal. What is not legal is selling supplies that were paid for — in whole or in part — by Medicare, Medicaid, or another federal or state health program. That's a federal offense, and it can create liability for a buyer who knowingly purchases them too.
How do I know if mine were covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
Check the box and your pharmacy paperwork. Supplies dispensed through a government program are often marked, and boxes printed "Not for retail sale" or bearing a Medicare/Medicaid label are the clearest sign. If you paid cash, used commercial insurance with a normal copay, or bought them off the shelf, you're almost certainly fine. If you're unsure, tell us and we'll work it out before anything changes hands.
Is selling test strips a scam?
The transaction itself is a real market — supplies are expensive and uninsured people buy them below retail. But buyers vary a lot in how they behave. The recurring complaints are quotes that get revised downward after a package arrives, buyers who go quiet once they have your box, and offers that come in far under what the item is worth.
How do I avoid being lowballed?
Get the number before you ship. A buyer who won't quote a specific amount from a clear photo of the box and expiration date isn't going to become more generous once they're holding it. Expiration date drives price more than anything else — 9 or more months out is worth substantially more than 6, and that gap can be 50% or more on some products.
Is it safe to meet a buyer in person?
Meet somewhere public and busy in daylight — bank lobbies, grocery store parking lots, and police station exchange zones all work. A legitimate local buyer will not object to meeting on your terms. If someone pushes to come to your home or insists on an unusual location, that's your answer.
What actually affects what I get paid?
Expiration date first, then condition, then brand and box size. Sealed and unopened is worth the most; a dented or creased box is usually a small deduction rather than a rejection. Opened, water-damaged, or expired boxes generally can't be resold at all. Retail boxes typically pay more than mail-order equivalents of the same product.
What won't you buy?
Anything covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or another government program. Opened or unsealed boxes. Expired product. Recalled lot numbers — we check these. And anything we can't identify from a photo. If an item doesn't qualify we'll tell you and explain why rather than making a low offer and hoping you accept it.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules can vary by state and by how your supplies were obtained. If your situation is unclear, talk to someone qualified before selling anything.
How to vet any buyer
None of this is specific to us — apply it to whoever you sell to, including us.
They quote a specific number from a photo, before you ship
They tell you what they won't buy, and why
They'll meet in public, on your terms
They ask whether your supplies were government-funded
"Send it and we'll see what it's worth"
Offers that change after the package arrives
Pressure to decide immediately
No verifiable phone number or local presence
Go read the discussions yourself
We're a buyer, so weigh what we say accordingly. These communities are where people compare notes without a company in the room: