If you're using a glucose meter to test blood sugar levels or have in the past, you might be surprised to see flyers claiming that companies will buy test strips from you. It may seem mysterious that companies would purchase something from people that they could just buy in a store. However, the test strip resale market is robust and you could make extra money with it. What about this market should you know?
Why People Have Extra Strips
If you're a diabetic, you use test strips every time you use the meter. If you're feeling unwell or your results are not in the therapeutic range, you might be using more strips in the day. If you're a type 1 diabetic, you may be using the meter and strips even more. For these reasons, you might have purchased multiple strip boxes through your insurance. The meter manufacturer might have sent you boxes, and your doctor may have given you some.
However, there are many times when people no longer need all those strips. Even if you remain a diabetic, you might switch to another glucose meter. If you were only testing your blood during pregnancy with gestational diabetes, after delivery you've got all those extra strips boxes. Those with extras can legally sell those unneeded strips to others, unless Medicaid or Medicare paid for them.
How Profit is Made
If you're curious about selling your strips, you might wonder how the process works and how profit is made. You'll likely make contact with a small business who buys the strips from people like you who have boxes they don't need. They will check that the boxes are sealed and ensure that your boxes aren't expired; people should no longer use expired strips and therefore those companies are unlikely to take them. The companies will pay you a set price and go on to offer those boxes to buyers.
How Others are Helped
The people who buy secondhand strips are usually those who cannot afford high retail prices. They might have to meet a high deductible before their insurance helps lower those costs, or they may have no insurance at all. They might have diabetes and not be checking their blood sugar levels because they don't want to use their meager supply of strips. When they're able to get strips on the secondary market, they can save money and take better care of their disease.
For more information on test strips look at companies like American Medical Surplus.
