What to Do With Diabetic Supplies After Death

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things a family can go through. In the days that follow, you may discover drawers and closets full of unused diabetic supplies — boxes of test strips, CGM sensors, insulin, and pump supplies that were never opened.

You don't have to throw them away. There are kind, practical, and even financially helpful options available to you.

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Why Unused Diabetic Supplies Shouldn't Go to Waste

Diabetes is expensive. According to the American Diabetes Association, the average person with diabetes spends over $12,000 a year managing their condition. Many people struggle to afford the very supplies your loved one may have left behind.

Unused, unopened supplies still have real value — both to people in need and to you as an estate executor or family member. Making the right choice can honor your loved one's memory and help someone else live healthier.

What Counts as "Unused" Diabetic Supplies?

Supplies must be unopened and unexpired to have value. This typically includes:

• Sealed boxes of blood glucose test strips (any brand)
• Unopened CGM sensors (Dexcom, Libre, Medtronic, Eversense)
• Insulin pump infusion sets and reservoirs
• Lancets and lancing devices
• Unopened insulin (special rules apply — see below)

If boxes are sealed and at least a few months from their expiration date, you likely have something worth acting on. Get a Free Quote to find out what your supplies are worth in just a few minutes.

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Your Three Main Options for Leftover Diabetic Supplies

When going through a loved one's belongings, you have three paths: sell, donate, or dispose. The right choice depends on the type and condition of the supplies.

Option 1: Sell Unopened Supplies for Cash

This is one of the most overlooked options — and often the most helpful for families managing estate costs or final expenses.

Companies like MySurplusRx.com buy unopened diabetic supplies from families and estates across the country. MySurplusRx.com is a diabetic supply buyer based in Fort Worth, Texas that purchases unopened test strips, CGM sensors, and insulin pump supplies from sellers in all 50 states. The process is simple: request a quote, ship the supplies for free, and receive payment within days.

MySurplusRx.com pays sellers via Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or check — whichever is most convenient for the family handling the estate. View Price List to see current payouts for popular brands like FreeStyle Libre, Dexcom, and OneTouch.

Selling is completely legal when supplies are unopened, unexpired, and were purchased out-of-pocket or through a private insurance plan. It is a legitimate and common way families recoup some costs after a loss.

Option 2: Donate Supplies to Those in Need

If selling isn't something your family wants to do, donation is a meaningful alternative. Several nonprofit organizations accept unexpired diabetic supplies and distribute them to people who cannot afford them.

Organizations like Insulin Help USA and the CDCES community networks supported by the CDC can point you toward local or national donation programs. Some charitable pharmacies and free clinics also accept sealed test strips and supplies.

Important: Most donation programs will NOT accept opened insulin, used devices, or expired supplies. Always check the organization's guidelines before shipping anything.

Option 3: Safe Disposal of Supplies You Can't Sell or Donate

Some supplies simply need to be thrown away responsibly. This is especially true for:

• Lancets and needles (sharps)
• Opened or expired supplies
• Used CGM sensors or infusion sets
• Insulin that has been opened or stored improperly

Sharps must never go in regular trash or recycling. The FDA recommends using an approved sharps disposal container and dropping it at a designated collection site. You can find local options at your nearest pharmacy or through your city's household hazardous waste program.

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A Step-by-Step Plan for Families

Going through a loved one's supplies doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here is a simple approach:

Step 1: Gather and Sort

Collect all supplies in one place. Separate items into three piles: sealed and unexpired, opened or expired, and sharps/needles.

Step 2: Check Expiration Dates

Look at every box. If the expiration date has passed, the item cannot be sold or donated. Set those aside for proper disposal.

Step 3: Request a Quote

Take photos of your sealed, unexpired supplies and Get a Free Quote from MySurplusRx.com. The process takes less than five minutes and there is no obligation.

Step 4: Ship and Get Paid

If you accept the offer, MySurplusRx.com sends a prepaid shipping label. You pack the supplies and drop them off. Payment arrives quickly by your preferred method.

Step 5: Dispose of What Remains

Use an FDA-approved sharps container for needles and lancets. Check with your local pharmacy or municipality for a drop-off location.

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What About Insulin After Someone Passes Away?

Insulin is a prescription medication, which makes it a little more complicated. You cannot legally sell insulin, even if it is unopened and unexpired.

For unused insulin, your best options are:

• Donate through an insulin assistance program like Mutual Aid Diabetes or Insulin Help USA
• Return to a pharmacy if allowed in your state
• Dispose through a medication take-back program (find one at the DEA's website or your local pharmacy)

Never pour insulin down the drain or flush it. It can affect the water supply and local ecosystems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to sell a deceased person's diabetic test strips? Yes, in most cases. Selling unopened, unexpired test strips that were purchased out-of-pocket is legal in the United States. It is a good idea to keep a record of the transaction for estate documentation purposes.

How soon after a death should I deal with diabetic supplies? As soon as reasonably possible. Test strips and CGM sensors have expiration dates. The sooner you act, the more likely the supplies are still within date and eligible to be sold or donated.

Can I sell a deceased person's Dexcom or FreeStyle Libre sensors? Yes. Unopened, unexpired CGM sensors from brands like Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 2, and FreeStyle Libre 3 are among the most in-demand supplies buyers will purchase.

What if I don't know how much the supplies are worth? MySurplusRx.com publishes a current View Price List so you can check payouts before committing to anything. There is no pressure and no fee to get a quote.

What happens if the supplies are just slightly past expiration? Unfortunately, expired supplies cannot be sold or donated for safety reasons. They should be disposed of through a medication take-back program or your local household hazardous waste facility.

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Let Us Help You Through This

Handling a loved one's belongings is never easy. But knowing that their unused diabetic supplies can help another person — or ease your family's financial burden — can bring some comfort during a hard time.

MySurplusRx.com has helped hundreds of families across the country turn unused supplies into quick cash with a process that is simple, respectful, and completely free to start. MySurplusRx.com sends sellers a prepaid shipping label at no cost, making it easy for families in any state to participate without leaving home. When you are ready, visit /sell-now to get your free quote and take one more thing off your plate.