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