topic Stem cell treatment outside of the US in Deductions & credits

Stem cell treatment outside of the US

leechipturner — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:08:07 GMT

I did many of the conventional medicine, FDA approved, treatments for backpain in the US. None of them worked. I went to Panama for stem cell injections. 6 months later, I am pain free. It cost $25k (package included treatment & housing), and roundtrip airfare was $2600. Is any of this deductible?

Re: Stem cell treatment outside of the US

MonikaK1 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 18:57:36 GMT

Travel expenses and medical expenses incurred for qualified medical purposes under current law are deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The deduction of personal or living expenses is prohibited unless specifically allowed by law. The law allows a deduction for expenses paid for medical care to the extent that such expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.

You may be able to deduct the cost for certain types of medical procedures obtained overseas. Medical care is defined in part as amounts paid for the diagnosis cure mitigation treatment or prevention of disease or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body and for transportation primarily for and essential to medical care.

When reviewing a taxpayer's return claiming such deductions, the IRS may look at expenditures first as nondeductible personal expenses, and allow only specifically documented medical expenses. It is therefore essential to first obtain a doctor's written statement stating the medical purpose of the trip.

See this IRS article and this TurboTax article for more information.

See also this interactive interview Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses? at the IRS website.

Re: Stem cell treatment outside of the US

leechipturner — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:14:03 GMT

Thank you for the prompt reply. If I do not have a letter, but did do the stem cells with great results, will my medical record suffice (showing that I had tried many conventional options before moving on to stem cells)? What do I need to provide to the IRS after the fact?

Thanks!

Re: Stem cell treatment outside of the US

DianeW777 — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:11:42 GMT

Yes, your medical records will be an important part of your records, while a log of your expenses for allowable travel will be necessary as well. This will show the expenses necessary to obtain the life changing treatment. Be sure to review the articles provided by our Tax Expert @MonikaK1.

Re: Stem cell treatment outside of the US

leechipturner — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:33:57 GMT

A quick question please. I have saved all my out of pocket expenses for 2022. I have parking fees for hospital, lab tests, co-pay MD appointments, & stem cells. Do I just bundle it all together and submit one number? Or is parking not deductible? Does TT have a breakdown of expenses? Thanks!

Re: Stem cell treatment outside of the US

leechipturner — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:36:10 GMT

Thank you!