Medical Mileage when you also make a stop for an errand

[mjc7]

How do you calculate mileage for getting to and from medical appointments when you also make a stop for an errand?

[Opus 17]

I would use the direct distance from home to the provider and back again.  If you stopped or went out of your way, that doesn't really count, so use the mileage as if you went straight there and back. 

[JulieS]

Yes, you have to start or stop tracking the medical mileage when do the errand.  

For example, you drive 10 miles from your home to the doctor office. After your appointment you drive 3 miles to the grocery store. Your medical mileage ends when you get to the grocery store, so you get 13 miles for this trip. 

Second example, you drive 5 miles from your home to the post office. Then you drive 4 miles to the doctor's office, then 9 miles back home. In this case your medical miles start when you leave the post office, so this trip is also 13 miles.