20 Ways to Claim Medical Expenses on Your Taxes
Discover 20 powerful ways to legally deduct medical expenses from your taxes and unlock hidden savings on everything from doctor visits to service animals!
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Maximizing your tax savings on medical expenses might be simpler than you believe—if you know what counts. From physician visits and prescription drugs to home adaptations and service animals, there are thousands of ways to legally deduct healthcare expenses. This article discusses 20 deductions that may return more cash to your wallet while getting you the care you require!
1. Deducting Doctor Appointments
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Each time you see a doctor, specialist, or even a psychologist, you can include those costs in your tax deduction. These can be in-person visits, telemedicine appointments, and even second opinions. Just keep your receipts and make sure they are not reimbursed by insurance.
2. Costs of Prescription Medications
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Your prescribed drugs, whether for chronic disease, pain relief, or mental illness, are tax-deductible. Over-the-counter medication is not unless prescribed by a physician. Be sure to receive an itemized statement from your pharmacy.
3. Health Insurance Premiums
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If you pay health insurance premiums directly (not through employer-sponsored pre-tax payroll deductions), your premiums could be deductible. The self-employed can deduct 100% of premiums for health insurance. If you obtain insurance at work, see if your contribution is made with post-tax dollars—if so, you may be able to deduct it!
4. Dental and Vision Expenses
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Dental cleanings, braces, root canals, and even dentures are all tax-deductible medical expenses. Vision care, such as eye exams, contact lenses, glasses, and even LASIK surgery, is also eligible. If your insurance doesn’t cover them, they might add up to a substantial tax break.
5. Medical Equipment and Supplies
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If you need a wheelchair, hearing aids, crutches, or a CPAP machine, these costs are deductible. Even batteries for medical equipment qualify! Keep receipts of any doctor-prescribed medical equipment.
6. Long-Term Care Costs
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Nursing home costs, home health aides, and even assisted living fees may be deducted if medically required. The IRS will accept deductions for daily living care expenses, such as bathing and eating. However, if it’s merely for convenience, it won’t be accepted.
7. Mental Health and Therapy Expenses
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Visiting a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist qualifies as a deductible medical expense. Even marriage therapy can qualify if therapy is for a diagnosed mental illness. Don’t forget travel expenses to and from your appointments!
8. Fertility Treatments
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Costs for in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg storage, and fertility medications can be deducted. If you’re undergoing treatments to conceive, these expenses qualify under IRS guidelines. Even if the procedure isn’t successful, the expenses still count.
9. Pregnancy and Childbirth Costs
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Prenatal visits, hospitalization, and even doula or midwife charges are tax-deductible. If you have a home birth, some attendant expenses—such as medical supplies—may be eligible. Breast pumps and lactation equipment are included as well!
10. Weight Loss Programs (Medical Necessity Only)
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If your physician puts you on a weight-loss regimen because of a diagnosed illness (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), you can claim it. This covers nutrition guidance, weight-loss medication, and even membership in a gym if ordered. Ordinary weight loss for looks doesn’t qualify.
11. Smoking Cessation Programs
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The IRS permits doctor-prescribed smoking cessation therapy to be deducted. Nicotine patches, prescription drugs such as Chantix, and even counseling are eligible, but not over-the-counter nicotine gum unless prescribed by a doctor.
12. Treatment of Substance Abuse
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Rehabilitation fees, such as detox programs, in-patient rehabilitation, and therapy, are deductible. This is true whether the treatment is for alcohol, opioids, or any other substance abuse. Travel costs to rehab can also be added.
13. Transportation and Mileage to Doctor’s Appointments
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Gas, parking charges, and even fares for public transportation to doctor’s appointments qualify as deductible expenses. The IRS has an annual standard mileage rate for medical-related travel. Document your trips and tolls or parking receipts.
14. Medical Home Modifications
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If you must put in a wheelchair ramp, enlarge doorways, or alter your bathroom because of a medical condition, you can write off the expense. However, if these alterations add value to your home, only the medical aspect is deductible. A doctor’s note may be necessary.
15. Medical Conferences and Education
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If you attend a medical conference related to the chronic illness or condition you are diagnosed with, you can claim registration fees as a deduction. Travel and accommodation are not deductible, but learning to manage your condition better is. This could be conferences on diabetes, autism, or orphan diseases.
16. Service Animals and Guide Dogs
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If you depend on a trained service dog for a disability, you can deduct care-related expenses. These include grooming, vet fees, food, and training. Emotional support animals are not deductible unless they qualify as medically necessary service animals.
17. Chiropractic Care
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Chiropractic care and spinal therapy by a licensed chiropractor are completely deductible. This includes treatments for chronic pain, X-rays, and physical therapy. Other alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, may be deductible.
18. Alternative and Holistic Therapies
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Acupuncture, naturopathy, and other alternative therapies are eligible if prescribed by a physician. Prescribed herbal treatments and traditional Chinese medicine are also included. Spa visits or the usual wellness treatments don’t qualify.
19. Hearing Aids and Audiologist Expenses
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If you need hearing aids, ear molds, or regular checkups with an audiologist, those expenses are deductible. Batteries and hearing aid repairs are, too. If you’re taking sign language classes for medical reasons, even the sign language classes are deductible.
20. Out-of-Pocket Expenses Not Covered by Insurance
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If your insurance company denies a claim for a necessary procedure, you can still deduct it. This is for treatments your physician considers necessary, but your provider will not pay for. Save all denial letters and payment receipts as evidence.