Question:
Is reconstructive surgery tax deductible?
I know that weight loss surgery is now deductible according to latest IRS rulings. Does anyone know is plastic/reconstructive surgery is considered deductible? My insurance WILL NOT pay for the removal of excess skin due to weight loss for any reason - rashes, backaches, etc. If I could claim it on my taxes it would sure take some of the pressure off trying to come up with that much money. — georgiacarol (posted on August 16, 2002)
August 16, 2002
I know that the word "cosmetic" is specifically excluded--hard to
get a face lift on a reconstructive basis without a disfiguring accident.
You might check with a good tax acct. I wrote off those things my ins
& doctor judged medically necessary, didn't even try with the minor
fixit work I chose for myself.
— vitalady
August 16, 2002
I don't know if it's tax deductible, but if you participate in a Flexible
Spending (section 125/cafeteria) Plan through your employer - it may be an
expense you can submit for reimbursment. Go to
http://www.flexamerica.com/expenses2.htm. In there, it states that
"Cosmetic surgery, needed to improve congenital abnormality, personal
injury, or disfiguring disease" is a covered expense. Tt could be,
depending on how the surgeon bills, that it's covered.
— Rosario T.
August 16, 2002
My accountant says that reconstructive surgery to correct disfigurement
that is a predictable result of a medically necessary procedure is indeed
tax deductable. He also says if you are going to deduct that $30,000 be
sure to get all of your glasses and prescriptions, dental work, etc in the
same year to maximize your deductions. Unless you make a boatload of
money, you will also be able to deduct all of your insurance co-pays and
premiums for the year. Don't know about other plans but our flexible
spending account has a limit on it that comes nowhere near the cost
estimate I got for reconstruction.<p> I am still keeping my fingers
crossed that my consultation on the 29th will result in insurance covering
the abdominoplasty and eyelid surgery. I can live with my arms and I kinda
like my wrinkles.
— phoebe
August 16, 2002
Thanks for your responses. We have a health care reimbursement account that
we used up for my husband's lasix surgery earlier this year. It's almost
time to plan for next year. I haven't been to a plastic surgeon yet but one
estimate on the internet was between $16,000 and $20,000 for a tummy tuck
and breast lift/implants. I'm going to try to get in with a plastic surgeon
that works with our insurance in case they can get a breast reduction
covered but I'm not holding my breath cuz other than skin there isn't much
left in that department.
— georgiacarol
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