Medical costs can add up, depending on the treatments you get and how often you need medical care. Even if you have insurance, you’ll probably have expenses you need to pay for out of pocket.
The IRS allows certain taxpayers to save money on their tax return by deducting qualified medical and dental expenses, such as:
- Prescription contact lenses
- Prescription eyeglasses
- Prescription medications
- Root canals
- Teeth cleanings
- Visits to healthcare providers and dentists
It’s important to consult with a tax professional to get a better idea of what medical expenses you can deduct. It’s easy to overlook less common expenses that may also be tax deductible.
How do I claim medical expenses on my taxes?
In 2019, emergency medicine physician and historian Luke Messac was working as a medical resident. He had heard about hospitals suing their own patients over unpaid medical bills, so he decided to investigate whether the hospitals where he worked were doing the same.
“In 2016, Emily Peters became, as she puts it, a “statistic in the maternal health mortality crisis.” While giving birth to her daughter, she had an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare and life-threatening complication that landed her in the intensive care unit.”
“Last year, Jennifer Reisz’s college-age daughter, Megan, was kicked in the chest multiple times by the family’s horse. Megan fell to the ground, unable to move or speak. Though she was alone, her Apple Watch detected her distress and called 911.

