Question

Deductable Medical Expense Questions

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 1, 2019
1 reply
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In the info I found, it's hard to tell if all these would qualify.

Can the following medical expenses be deducted?

1. My wife is in a medical weight loss program at Kaiser. Can what she pays them for the program and food be deducted?

2. In Dec. 2016 my wife had knee surgery. Throughout 2017, she paid a naturopathic doctor for prolozone injections to aid in healing and cartilage regeneration. Can this expense be deducted?

3. Related to the knee, we spent a lot of money on things like supplements (collagen etc.), excercise and walking aids, special pillows etc. Can these be deducted?

4. Copays for doctor visits (Kaiser), dentist, orthodontist and oral surgery?

5. Prescriptions?

6. Cord blood banking/storage?

Thanks very much!

TurboTax Home & Biz Mac

MichaelL1

Employee

1. Yes, providing your doctor has confirmed that your current weight is a threat to your health, and has therefore ordered you to enroll in a program to treat a specific disease, whether obesity (a designated disease as of 2002), hypertension, heart disease, or high cholesterol, for example. You must have this in writing.

While you cannot deduct the obvious – such as the cost of diet foods (considered a personal expense), home exercise equipment, health club/gym/spa dues, nutritional supplements or any costs that are covered by insurance

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/deductions-and-credits/is-your-weight-loss-tax-deductible-4577/

2. Yes, deductible The IRS publication 502 is very good. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502

3. Yes, except supplements and exercise equipment at home. Pillow no. See this link for some good information also. https://www.gobankingrates.com/taxes/medical-expenses-can-write-off/

4. Yes deductible

5. Yes, deductible

6. Yes, see IRS Chief Counsel Memorandum on this. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/10-0017.pdf

7. You don't mention but mileage to and from the doctor visits are a medical expense also.