Medical Expenses for Cancer Treatment in another State

[superdav]

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.   In October I flew to Arizona from Idaho to meet with the Mayo Clinic regarding Treatment Options.  I spent 2 nights there in a hotel and used Uber as Transportation once there.  It was decided to head down there in November to begin treatment.  I had several preliminary appointments and tests from November through December 2025.  My actual Radiation Treatment began in January and  February of 2026.  We drove down in an RV and have stayed at a RV Park.  In the past we have come down as a Snow Bird usually in late January.  Treatment has finished but we will be staying through March.  That's the Background....

Question is What can I deduct as Medical Expense if I itemize expenses over the 7.5%?

And.....

What does significant mean below?, obviously we did some pleasure and recreational activities in between treatments

1. There is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel away from home.

Thanks in advance

[CesarJ · Accepted solution]

If you itemized deductions and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you may deduct qualified medical expenses related to your treatment, including certain travel costs.

Transportation:

You can deduct airfare, Uber/rideshare, taxis, parking, or medical mileage if driving, as long as the primary purpose of the trip was to receive medical care. 

Lodging:

You may deduct lodging costs up to $50 per night per person. This applies to you and one person traveling with you (up to $100 per night total). The lodging must be primarily for and essential to medical care and not considered lavish. The site fees may qualify (subject to the nightly limit), but RV ownership costs such as depreciation or insurance wouldn't. 

Meals and recreation:

Meals while traveling for medical care aren't deductible. However, having some incidental recreation between treatments doesn't automatically disqualify your trip. The key requirement is that the primary reason for being in Arizona is to receive medical treatment. As long as the treatment was the main purpose of and any recreation was incidental, the travel expenses can still qualify.

Also remember that medical expenses are deductible in the year they are paid. 

Here's a list of medical expenses you can include. 

Wishing you the very best with your treatment and recovery.

[superdav]

Thanks!  As I pointed out.  We do come down here quite often in the Winter primarily Late January through March to get out of the cold.  This year we came early specifically for this treatment.  It did overlap slightly to a regularly scheduled stay in 2026.  I would think that I could claim the mileage and nightly stay for my wife and I through the treatment anyway?  Or just the treatment days?

Also...thank you for the encouraging words!

[ThomasM125]

You can deduct the mileage and lodging for the treatment period of time if that is the main reason you were there. I assume you need days off between treatments, so as long as they are not excessive, you can deduct your expenses for that period of time if it would have been impractical to return home.