Ontario - how to claim surgery cost on Income taxes

[Mrs.Bales 31]

Hello fellow Canuks, I have given up on having insurance help recover some of the costs so I am wondering if anyone has guidance on what to do/collect/save/copy so that I can at least try to claim the cost on mine or my husband's income tax.

Feel free to reply in forum or private - any info would be appreciated.

[Sharpie 3,306]

I thought Canada had national health insurance.. so it doesn't cover bariatric surgery? I don't know about their income tax system.. ours allows deductions for medical costs but it has to exceed a % of your income before it counts..

[LessLee 119]

I read on the Slimband forum that you can request a tax receipt through their finance department. I am sure most clinics are similar.

Sharpie, Yes the surgery can be covered but you have to qualify for the surgery at BMI of over 40 or at least 35 with co-morbidities, then there are huge waiting times also. Plus you have to be referred by your family doctor to even see anyone to discuss it.

My work benefits do not cover any weigh-loss procedures.

In my case, my family doctor wouldn't even refer me to a surgeon, she just kept giving me "pep-talks". I was over bmi 40 at one point, but when I decided to self-pay I was bmi 39 and I do not have co-morbidities so I wouldn't qualify to have it covered. So, some of us go to private clinics.

[MiniMi 1,468]

I thought Canada had national health insurance.. so it doesn't cover bariatric surgery? I don't know about their income tax system.. ours allows deductions for medical costs but it has to exceed a % of your income before it counts..

Anything over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income can be deducted.

[jennybean 175]

Hi, just keep the receipt and there is a line item for medical expenses on the tax form. My doctor told me I might see about $3,000 (out of the $16,000) back at tax time. Every little bit helps! I live in Ontario and am self paying too.