Can I Sell Medicare Supplies? What to Know
We buy sealed diabetic supplies for cash. We do not sell supplies.
No. We don't buy diabetic supplies paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal. That's a firm rule for us, with no exceptions.
Selling? See everything we buy.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.
If you have extra Medicare supplies, the best step is to lower your order. Here's how to tell who paid, and what to do instead.
What are Medicare and Medi-Cal?
Medicare is federal health insurance. It covers people 65 and older, and some younger people with a disability, ESRD or ALS.
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Medicaid is a government program for people with low income, run by each state.
Both can pay for diabetic supplies. Medicare Part B covers blood sugar test strips and may cover CGM sensors if you qualify.
Why we say no to them
We choose not to buy supplies paid for by any government program. It keeps things simple for you and for us.
A careful buyer asks who paid, and says no when the answer is unclear. That protects you as much as it protects us. If a buyer never asks, think twice about selling to them.
Our rule covers every product. It doesn't matter if the box is a CGM sensor, a pod or test strips. If Medicare or Medi-Cal paid, the answer is no.
This page isn't legal advice. If you have questions about your own supplies, ask Medicare, Medi-Cal or your plan. You can reach Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or on Medicare.gov.
How can you tell who paid?
Check these places:
- The pharmacy label. It often shows the pharmacy, your name, the date and sometimes the plan.
- Your plan statement. It lists what your plan paid for.
- Your pharmacy. Call and ask which plan paid for a fill.
- The box itself. Some boxes from medical suppliers say "NOT FOR RESALE."
If you aren't sure, ask before you offer anything. We'd rather check first than find out later.
Pharmacy labels can be hard to read. If you can't tell which plan paid, call the pharmacy and read them the prescription number. They can tell you.
More than one plan?
Some people have Medicare and a private plan, or Medicare and Medi-Cal. What matters is who paid for the supplies you want to sell.
If Medicare or Medi-Cal paid any part of a box, we won't buy it. If you paid with your own money or a private plan alone, and the box is sealed and in date, you can ask for a quote.
| Who paid | Can you offer it to us? |
|---|---|
| You, with your own money | Yes, if sealed and in date |
| A private plan only | Yes, if sealed and in date |
| Medicare, any part | No |
| Medi-Cal, any part | No |
| Marked "NOT FOR RESALE" | No |
What to do with extra Medicare supplies
Start by stopping the extras:
- Call your supplier. Ask them to pause or lower future shipments.
- Talk to your doctor. Ask whether your order should change.
- Ask a local clinic. Some take donations of sealed supplies, but rules vary, so call first.
Write down who you talked to and the date of each call. If extra boxes keep coming, that note helps when you call back.
Lowering your order is the best first step. It keeps boxes from piling up in your home.
Keep the boxes you already have in a cool, dry place while you decide. Don't let them expire in a closet if a clinic could use them.
Used needles and lancets need a sharps container right away. Don't put loose sharps in the trash.
Don't try to sell these boxes somewhere else, either. If a buyer offers to take them, that's a red flag. A careful buyer won't.
If you're on Medicare now but paid for some supplies before you joined, those older boxes may be different. Check the pharmacy label for the fill date and the plan. If you paid for them yourself or through a private plan, they may be OK to offer.
A real-life example
Say your father has Medicare. His supplier ships test strips every three months, but he now tests less often. A stack of sealed boxes is growing in his kitchen.
You call the supplier with him and ask to lower the amount. Then you ask his doctor whether the order should change. You set the extra boxes aside and keep them out of any quote.
The next shipment is smaller. The stack stops growing, and nothing goes to waste.
If a loved one had Medicare, the same rule applies after a death. If Medicare or Medi-Cal paid for the supplies, we can't buy them.
Call the supplier to stop future shipments. Have the account number and the date of death handy when you call. For supplies the family paid for, read our guide on a loved one's diabetic supplies.
What do we buy?
We buy sealed, unexpired supplies that weren't paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal and aren't marked "NOT FOR RESALE." See what we buy for the full list.
Not sure about a box? Send a photo of it and the pharmacy label. We'll tell you plainly if it's something we can buy.
We never charge sellers a fee. If we can't buy a box, we'll say so and explain why, so you can decide what to do next. You can call (909) 619-5262 to talk with a real person.
Keep reading
Questions
Do you buy Medicare supplies?
No. We don't buy supplies paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal.
Who can answer questions about my Medicare supplies?
Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov. You can also ask your plan or supplier.
What if I'm getting too many supplies?
Call your supplier and ask to lower your order. Your doctor can also help change it.
What if Medicare paid for only part of a box?
We still can't buy it. If Medicare or Medi-Cal paid any part, we won't buy it.
Have supplies you paid for yourself?
We don't buy Medicare supplies, but we do buy sealed, unexpired supplies you paid for yourself or through a private plan. We never charge a fee. Send a photo of each box and the pharmacy label for a free quote.