self employed health insurance premium deduction question

[jmf2]

I retired from a company a couple of years ago. They offer a retiree medical program to retirees. It is the same insurance plan I had as an employee but through the retiree medical program I have to pay the entire cost of the plan (after tax dollars). I decided to take that plan because it is a good plan.  I am now self employed and contract with a different company. The company I contract with does not offer health insurance to contractors.

My wife works for the state and is covered by the state health plan.  The state plan can be extended to me but it would cost a lot and is not as good a plan as I have through my previous employer's retiree plan. (My retiree plan is a little more expensive than the state plan but it is also a better plan.) Can I deduct the insurance premiums I pay for the retiree.

[JotikaT2]

It Depends. 

If you are able to itemize your deductions as opposed to taking the standard deduction, you may be able to take a deduction. 

But the deduction is limited to qualified medical expenses which exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income for 2019.

In TurboTax, you can enter your medical premiums in the Federal section of the program.

1. Select "Deductions & Credits"
2. Select "Medical"

Continue through the screens until you see the following, where you can enter your premiums:

[AmeliesUncle]

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@jmf2 wrote:

My wife works for the state and is covered by the state health plan.  The state plan can be extended to me

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That makes you ELIGIBLE for employer-subsidized health insurance, which would disqualify you from claiming the Self Employed Health Insurance deduction.