topic If I'm itemizing my medical expenses, and I'm looking at expenses, should I be listing the cost BEFORE my insurance, or just out of pocket? in Deductions & credits

If I'm itemizing my medical expenses, and I'm looking at expenses, should I be listing the cost BEFORE my insurance, or just out of pocket?

joecastellano — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:43:49 GMT

For example, if I were to look at a procedure I had done, and the claim was for $30,000 but insurance covered $27,000, would I list $3,000 as my expense, or the full $30,000?

Re: If I'm itemizing my medical expenses, and I'm looking at expenses, should I be listing the cost BEFORE my insurance, or just out of pocket?

DoninGA — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:49:28 GMT

In your example only the $3,000 would be entered as a medical expense on your tax return.

You only enter the medical expenses you actually paid with out pocket funds and which were Not reimbursed on a tax return.

Re: If I'm itemizing my medical expenses, and I'm looking at expenses, should I be listing the co...

MichaelG81 — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 19:06:20 GMT

Yes, only put what you ‌ paid, not the insurance. According to Topic No. 502 Medical and Dental Expenses it states you:

You can only include the medical expenses you paid during the year. You must reduce your total deductible medical expenses for the year by any amount compensated for by insurance or any other reimbursement of deductible medical expenses, and by expenses used when figuring other credits or deductions. This is true whether you receive the reimbursement directly or it's paid on your behalf to the doctor, hospital, or other medical provider.

Keep in mind, to deduct medical expenses, it has to be more than 7.5% of your AGI or adjusted gross income. Also, you must itemize all deductions rather than take Standard Deduction for this to count. Don't include what insurance paid for.

@joecastellano Edited [01/18/2023 | 04:13 PM PST]