California · Legal Guide

Is It Legal to Sell Diabetic Test Strips & Supplies in California?

Generally, yes - in California an individual can legally sell their own unused, sealed, unexpired diabetic supplies that they legitimately own, with specific exceptions below (most importantly, supplies funded by Medicare or Medicaid cannot be resold).

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The Short Answer

Why It's Generally Legal

Unused, sealed diabetic supplies are individually owned surplus goods, and selling your own surplus on a recognized secondary market is generally lawful. A few plain points:

It's Your Property

Once supplies are legitimately yours and you no longer need them, they're surplus goods you own - like any other unused item you might resell.

A Recognized Secondary Market

There's an established secondary market for unused diabetic supplies, used by people who are uninsured, underinsured, or in a coverage gap.

No Prescription Needed to Sell

A prescription is required to be dispensed supplies - not to sell surplus you already own. You don't need a license to sell your own unused supplies.

The Key Exception

Government-Funded Supplies Cannot Be Resold

Supplies obtained through Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, or other government or insurance programs that prohibit resale cannot be resold. This is the single most important exception, and it's why we do not buy Medicare- or Medicaid-funded supplies. If your supplies came through one of those programs, they are not eligible for the secondary market.

The Rules That Matter

Condition Rules & What's Not Okay

Condition Rules

Supplies should be factory-sealed, in their original packaging, unexpired (or within accepted windows), and not tampered with. Condition is what makes a sale legitimate and safe for the next owner.

What Is Not Okay

Reselling opened or used items, misrepresenting condition or expiration, or selling government-funded (Medicare/Medicaid) supplies is not okay - and we won't buy those.

Our Stance

How We Keep It Compliant

We keep every purchase on the right side of these rules. Here's exactly what we do and don't buy:

We buy only legally owned, unused, sealed, in-date supplies from individuals
We do not buy Medicare-, Medicaid-, or Medi-Cal-funded supplies
We don't accept opened, used, or tampered-with items
We buy Dexcom, Omnipod, FreeStyle Libre, and test strips – see What We Buy

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Disclaimer: General Information, Not Legal Advice

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and program rules change and apply differently to different situations. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please consult a qualified attorney. Reading this page does not create any attorney-client relationship.

Common Questions

Selling Diabetic Supplies in California: FAQ

Is it legal to sell diabetic test strips in California?

Generally, yes. In California it is legal for an individual to sell their own unused, sealed, unexpired diabetic test strips and supplies that they legitimately own. The main exception is supplies obtained through Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, or other government or insurance programs that prohibit resale – those cannot be resold. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can I sell diabetic supplies I got through insurance?

It depends on the source. Supplies funded by Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, or other programs that prohibit resale cannot be resold. Supplies you bought yourself, received as surplus, or otherwise legally own and no longer need are generally fine to sell if they are sealed and unexpired. We do not buy Medicare- or Medicaid-funded supplies. If you're unsure about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.

Do I need a prescription or license to sell my own unused supplies?

No. You do not need a prescription or a license to sell your own unused, sealed, unexpired diabetic supplies as an individual on the secondary market. A prescription is required to be dispensed supplies, not to sell surplus you already legally own.

Is it legal to sell unused Dexcom or Omnipod supplies?

Generally, yes. Unused, sealed, unexpired Dexcom sensors and Omnipod pods that you legally own can be sold by an individual in California, subject to the same exceptions – they cannot have been funded by Medicare, Medicaid, or another program that prohibits resale. We only buy sealed, in-date supplies from individuals.

Do you buy Medicare or Medicaid supplies?

No. We do not buy supplies that were funded by Medicare, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, or any government program that prohibits resale. We only purchase legally owned, unused, sealed, non-government-funded supplies from individuals. For more on the process, see how to sell diabetic supplies.