What Weight Loss Expenses Can You Claim?

With obesity rates on the rise, more doctors are recommending weight loss surgery procedures. Not only do these surgeries help patients lose excess weight, they often resolve weight-related health issues like type 2 diabetes. These surgeries may seem expensive. Patients can save a lot of money in the long term on prescriptions and medical visits, however. On average, even patients who have to pay for their surgery out of pocket break even within a few years of surgery. There are also conditions that make weight loss surgery tax deductible. In part, this requires evaluation by a weight loss doctor like Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding.

Qualifying for Tax Deductions

Your Expenses Must Necessary

This is the big rule and an easy one to follow for weight loss surgery. Doctors adhere to specific guidelines before recommending such procedures. If your doctor thinks you qualify for bariatric surgery, the IRS should grant the tax deduction.

It gets hazy for other weight loss expenses. There are some unexpected things you can claim if your doctor recommends them. FDA-approved weight loss drugs and membership fees for weight management programs can be tax deductible, for example. So can various counseling programs that help with nutrition or behavioral modification.

Your Expenses Must Medical

The purpose of the weight loss must be medical. The IRS states that expenses don’t qualify if they’re simply for “improvement of appearance, general health, or sense of well-being.” They must specifically treat obesity or related health issues like hypertension and heart disease. You cannot claim peripheral expenses like diet foods either. Visit the IRS site to see what you currently can and cannot claim.

You should always speak with your accountant ahead of time if you’re unsure about an expense. Save all paperwork from your doctor, health insurance and weight loss efforts so that you’ll be ready at tax time, too.

Appointments with Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding

Are you a candidate for weight loss surgery? If you are struggling with obesity and weight-related health issues, we are ready to help you. For a complete evaluation, please contact Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding at the NYU Langone Weight Management Program.