I was just wondering if anyone who went to Mexico or out of country for surgery because their insurance wouldn't pay for it used the cost as a tax deduction for uncovered health care expenses? And if you did, did you also count the airfare?

Thanks

Kathy

Good question! I was wondering about this myself.

Airfare, surgery, tests, and medications are all deductible. Sadly, protein supplements are not. Hope this helps.

Wow - I would never have thought of this? You can deduct a medical procedure from another country off your taxes? How does that make sense?

I don't think the IRS cares where you had it done but that you paid for a medically necessary procedure with your hard-earned dollars.

Define medically necessary. I had a BMI of not quite 37 - insurance did not deem in necessary. I had no medical problems....yet. I felt it was preventive maintenence.

I don't think the IRS cares where you had it done but that you paid for a medically necessary procedure with your hard-earned dollars.

Define medically necessary. I had a BMI of not quite 37 - insurance did not deem in necessary. I had no medical problems....yet. I felt it was preventive maintenence.

The IRS has accepted that obesity is a disease and that treatment is deductible. Weight Watcher meeting registration and dues, phentermine prescriptions, gym memberships, and other methods when supervised or recommended by a physician--all are deductible. As far as medical necessity goes, the National Institute of Health recently revised their guidelines for lapband surgery and now state that a BMI of 35 should be used for surgical eligibility. I would imagine that you and your surgeon determined that another procedure (VSG) would benefit you as much as a band. Basically, as long as you and your surgeon/PCP can document your obesity, you can deduct the cost of surgery. Insurance companies deem lots of stuff not necessary, they aren't in the business of saying yes.

Feel free to consult your own tax advisor.

thank you!!!

The IRS has accepted that obesity is a disease and that treatment is deductible. Weight Watcher meeting registration and dues, phentermine prescriptions, gym memberships, and other methods when supervised or recommended by a physician--all are deductible. As far as medical necessity goes, the National Institute of Health recently revised their guidelines for lapband surgery and now state that a BMI of 35 should be used for surgical eligibility. I would imagine that you and your surgeon determined that another procedure (VSG) would benefit you as much as a band. Basically, as long as you and your surgeon/PCP can document your obesity, you can deduct the cost of surgery. Insurance companies deem lots of stuff not necessary, they aren't in the business of saying yes.

Feel free to consult your own tax advisor.