How to define qualified medical travel expense

[CTLam]

How can one confidently determine if airfare and lodging for surgery is considered to be for "personal reasons" or medically necessary?  In this situation the surgery is necessary and not elective and the type of surgeon required is not common.

[Anonymous]

• Lodging expenses (but not meals) while away from home to receive medical care provided by a physician in a hospital or a medical care facility related to a hospital, provided there was no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel. Don't deduct more than $50 a night for each person who meets the requirements in Pub. 502 under Lodging.

travel would probably be deductible in most cases because you have to get to and from the place 

one caveat    say you live in New York City fly to Chicago to vacation before surgery and then on to treatment is in Los Angeles.       I think there could be an issue with at least some of the cost.  

[marythk]

Surprised meals aren't qualified medical expenses. Very different costs from eating at home and on the road.

[KrisD15]

The IRS says you would have had to eaten regardless. 

[CTLam]

I understand that lodging expense to claim is no more than $50 per night, per person.  How are travel expenses looked at?  For instance person "A" needed to travel by air for surgery and they required someone to assist them throughout the trip, person "B."  Can travel expense for both "A" and "B" be claimed or just for person "A" who is undergoing the surgery?

[KatrinaB48]

It depends. The IRS will allow the cost of airfare for a parent accompanying a child for medical treatment. They will also allow the cost of airfare for a nurse or other person who can give injections, medications, or other treatment required by the patient who is traveling to get medical care. However, the patient must not be able to travel alone. Please view the transportation expenses section under What Medical Expenses Are Includible? in this IRS link for more information.