Can You Claim Medical Bills on Your Taxes?

Health care costs can add up quickly — from routine doctor visits to emergency procedures, prescription medications, and long-term treatments. With the rising cost of health care, many Americans wonder: Can I claim medical bills on my taxes?

The answer is yes — but with some important conditions. In this blog, we’ll break down what qualifies, how much you can claim, and tips to make the most of this potential deduction.

Who Can Claim Medical Expenses?

You can deduct qualified unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) on your Schedule A (Form 1040) if you itemize deductions. That means:

• You must choose to itemize instead of taking the standard deduction.

• Only the portion of medical expenses that exceeds 7.5% of your AGI is deductible.

Example:
If your AGI is $50,000, you can only deduct medical expenses exceeding $3,750 (7.5% of $50,000). If you had $6,000 in qualifying expenses, you could deduct $2,250.

What Medical Expenses Are Deductible?

The IRS has a broad list of qualified medical expenses, including:

• Payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists

• Hospital services and fees

• Prescription medications and insulin

• Medical equipment like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and glasses

• Transportation costs related to medical care (e.g., mileage, parking, tolls)

• Insurance premiums (in certain cases, like long-term care or COBRA)

Non-Deductible Expenses Include:

• Over-the-counter meds (except insulin)

• Cosmetic procedures

• General health items like toothpaste, gym memberships, or vitamins (unless prescribed)

Can You Deduct Medical Bills Paid for Others?

You can claim medical expenses you paid for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents — even if the expenses were incurred for someone else in a prior year, as long as they were paid in the current tax year.

In some cases, you may also deduct expenses paid for a qualifying relative, even if they’re not claimed as a dependent, provided they meet IRS support criteria.

How to Claim Medical Expense Deductions

1. Itemize your deductions using Schedule A on Form 1040.

2. Keep detailed records: receipts, bills, mileage logs, and insurance statements.

3. Calculate your total unreimbursed qualified expenses.

4. Subtract 7.5% of your AGI from that total.

5. The remainder is your deductible amount.

Pro Tip: Should You Itemize or Take the Standard Deduction?

In 2024, the standard deduction is:

• $14,600 for single filers

• $29,200 for married filing jointly

If your total itemized deductions (including medical, mortgage interest, state taxes, etc.) don’t exceed the standard deduction, you’re better off not itemizing.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can deduct medical bills on your taxes — but only if you itemize and your expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI. For many taxpayers, the key is careful record-keeping and comparing whether itemizing offers more savings than the standard deduction.

When in doubt, consult a tax professional or use reliable tax software to ensure you’re getting the most accurate and beneficial return possible.