topic Can I deduct prescription medication expenses if I live in a foreign country as a government employee and have to use foreign medical care? in Deductions & credits

Can I deduct prescription medication expenses if I live in a foreign country as a government employee and have to use foreign medical care?

uknobles — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:14:38 GMT

I can only see foreign doctors and get foreign medication.

Re: Can I deduct prescription medication expenses if I live in a foreign country as a government employee and have to use foreign medical care?

ee-ea — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 06:45:56 GMT

Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners. They include the costs of equipment, supplies, prescription drugs and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes. They include the costs of insurance and deductibles paid by the taxpayer that pays for medical expenses. To be a part of itemized deductions the out of pocket medical expenses must be more than 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

In a word-deduct.

Re: Can I deduct prescription medication expenses if I live in a foreign country as a government employee and have to use foreign medical care?

Mike9241 — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 07:11:22 GMT

IRS PUB 502

You can include the cost of a prescribed drug you purchase and consume in another country if the drug is legal in both the other country and the United States