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I am getting ready to prepare my tax expenses for 2014 and I have an appointment with my urologist Friday. Do I need to ask for a letter of medical necessity for my diapers or a prescription? Both? This year due to other issues my medical bills will be more than 10% of my gross income so I am going to claim my incontinence supplies. And advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

I asked my PCP for a letter of medical necessity for my diapers amd he gladly complied......insurance covers my foley supplies but I'm on the hook for all my diapers/pads/pullups......I'm still trying to compile a cost estimate but for diapers alone it's looking like it's under $1000 as of right now......

You'll only need the letter if you get audited.

Remember to include the costs of supplements (if medically advised), creams, lotions, wipes, disposal, lab work, mileage to/from medical visits or the obtaining of supplies (i.e., postal pickup), etc. Anything and everything related to one's condition can be added up; or so I've been told by my CPA.

Thank you all for the responses! I use neat scanner for my receipts and I have kept track of everything. I am just nervous about asking for it. I know I shouldn't be.

I know it is only an issue if I get audited but if the IRS sees a 33 year old claiming that much medical, I am sure they will probably take a closer look. Therefore, I would rather have it just in case, in the same way that I keep all my receipts for 7 years. I don't want to be playing catch up. I would rather be prepared to just hand them my files.

Has anyone else asked for a letter of medical necessity? And is that all I need? I think prescriptions are just for Medicaid or insurances that cover diapers. I just want my ducks in a row. THANK YOU!

I asked him for a letter of medical necessity and he agreed to mail it to me. When he asked for the details of how many diapers (I called them briefs) I said 3-4 and he was upset and wondered why I don't seek Botox or PTNS or intersim. He agreed the less drugs the better after we discussed vesicare and mybertiq not doing much for me.

I don't understand why he was shocked I use so many briefs. He even said the urinalysis showed my bladder to be extremely over active... Did he really think I would be going to the bathroom 18-25 times a day? My job won't allow it.

We agreed to meet in 6 months to just keep checking and to see if I want to pursue more aggressive treatments. I told him, after 10 years, I doubt it.

So I will have my letter if I get audited. Thanks all!

I've never asked for one. I just add supplies in with all my other medical expenses, but I doubt I'm very high risk for audit.

Honestly, I dont think 3 or 4 diapers is all that many for someone who is moderately to severly incontinent. I wear full briefs all the time, even htough i have some control because i never know when I will have an episode, or how much urine it will be. One thing that does concern me is that some days i do go more than 4 hourss without urinating, either in the toilet or in the brief.. Perhaps its's due to lower fluid intake.. or its the kidney stone blockiing things up.. I will have it removed soon enough. I have not had any sharp pains as of late. and I still urinate at least once a day. Actually.. when I finished the work day today.. i experienced a flood.. So i am still producing urine, and exceting it.. I think as long as I'm doing that, i don't have to worry about having to cath.. at least i hope not!.

Peace out!

Rob

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

Between medical expenses, mortgage payments, educational expenses, Dependant deductions and credits, and small business expenses and losses; my effective tax rate last year was -2.5%.

Turbo tax estimated my audit danger as moderate to high, but I still didn't get audited. I don't think it's all that rare for a 33 year old to have medical expenses, you should be fine.

Always expect the worst, so surprises are pleasant . I have my letter so I am set even if I do get audited.

Plus, you can get audited within 7 years of a current tax year, so even if you haven been hit yet, they still can in the future. So I keep all receipts for seven years