Is the cost of a wilderness rehab program a deductible medical expense?

[jnellison]

My son has behavioral issues and was in a rehab program last summer prescribed by his psychiatrist. It is not covered by insurance. Is it deductible as a medical expense?

[SweetieJean · Accepted solution]

Deductible wilderness therapy fees must relate to actual treatment the patient receives under the supervision of a psychologist, psychiatrist or other qualified therapist. For example, if you pay for a wilderness program for your son, and the program operates under the supervision of a doctor who employs qualified therapists, the expenses are deductible. However, if you send your son on an extensive camping trip with a company that operates wilderness vacations, you cannot include the expense as a medical deduction.

[jessholt322]

If a summer behavioral/mental health program is ordered by a mental health MD and is run by Psychologists/therapists where behavioral therapy is administered during the day camp from the response it appears as if these would qualify for medical expenses as insurance does not cover the costs. However to prepare for this what documentation or information from program/camp would be needed file these costs correctly on taxes?

[JohnB5677]

The IRS allows all taxpayers to deduct the total qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses for the year that exceeds 7.5% of their adjusted gross income.

If you were ordered by a MD to take this health program it is deductible.

• You should first have the doctor's order recommending you take the camp and the underlying reason. 
• You will also have to gather all of your unreimbursed expenses (Not covered by insurance).  These are out of pocket expenses that you incurred. 
• It would also be good if you had a description of the camps goals and itinerary.

[mwauters]

Good concise answer; thank you.

Follow up question:

Is it necessary to be recommended by a MD or is a licensed psychologist recommendation sufficient?