Deductable Medical Expense Questions

[scottl31]

In the info I found, it's hard to tell if all these would qualify.

Can the following medical expenses be deducted?

1. My wife is in a medical weight loss program at Kaiser. Can what she pays them for the program and food be deducted?

2. In Dec. 2016 my wife had knee surgery. Throughout 2017, she paid a naturopathic doctor for prolozone injections to aid in healing and cartilage regeneration. Can this expense be deducted?

3. Related to the knee, we spent a lot of money on things like supplements (collagen etc.), excercise and walking aids, special pillows etc. Can these be deducted?

4. Copays for doctor visits (Kaiser), dentist, orthodontist and oral surgery?

5. Prescriptions?

6. Cord blood banking/storage?

Thanks very much!

[MichaelL1]

1.  Yes,   providing your doctor has confirmed that your current weight is a threat to your health, and has therefore ordered you to enroll in a program to treat a specific disease, whether obesity (a designated disease as of 2002), hypertension, heart disease, or high cholesterol, for example. You must have this in writing.

While you cannot deduct the obvious – such as the cost of diet foods (considered a personal expense), home exercise equipment, health club/gym/spa dues, nutritional supplements or any costs that are covered by insurance 

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/deductions-and-credits/is-your-weight-loss-tax-deductible-4577/

2.  Yes, deductible  The IRS publication 502 is very good.  https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502

3.  Yes, except supplements and exercise equipment at home.  Pillow no.  See this link for some good information also.  https://www.gobankingrates.com/taxes/medical-expenses-can-write-off/

4. Yes deductible

5. Yes, deductible

6.  Yes, see IRS Chief Counsel Memorandum on this.  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/10-0017.pdf

7. You don't mention but mileage to and from the doctor visits are a medical expense also. 

[scottl31]

Wow, mileage? What about mileage to and from to get prescriptions?

[MichaelL1]

yes, any mileage that is related to medical needs.

[scottl31]

Great. I am still adding it all up, but haven't started entering into TT yet. Is there a specific place to enter the "medical" mileage, as opposed to like business mileage etc.?

[MichaelL1]

Yes, go to the medical area and it will ask about mileage as a question there,  The rate of medical mileage is 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for 2017.  Not great but every deduction helps.

[scottl31]

At first I thought it wouldn't be worth it. I think business is over 50 cents. But you are right, every deduction helps. Thanks so much for your help.

[scottl31]

Ok, now I just realized I had to go to select new glasses, and go beck to pick them up when they were ready. Can I deduct these two round trips?

[MichaelL1]

As long as the primary purpose of the trip was for medical reasons and it took place during the tax year, you are deducting them for.

[scottl31]

Looking over my return, I had thought the medical had to be over 10% of income. But on line 3 of schedule A, it's saying 7.5%. Is this a mistake in the forms?

[MichaelL1]

The IRS allows you to deduct qualified medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for 2017 and 2018. Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, all taxpayers may deduct only the amount of the total unreimbursed allowable medical care expenses for the year that exceeds 10% of their adjusted gross income.

[scottl44]

Hi Michael,
Not sure you are still getting notified on this thread, but had another question.

In my original question one, above, you said that if enrolled in the medical weight loss for specific health reasons, I must have it in writing.

In the Kaiser program, she didn't get it specifically in writing, but in her medical record, it shows the diagnosis as obesity. Is this sufficient or does she need something else in writing?

She was not happy with the Kaiser program and changed to one at John Muir. She obtained a letter from the doctor stating her condition of obesity and the necessity of treatment. Is there somewhere in TurboTax to submit this letter with the return?

Thanks,
Scott