Claiming Travel Expenses For Medical Appointments: A Guide

If you need to travel long distances to receive medical care, you may be able to claim travel expenses as a deduction on your taxes. The specific requirements for claiming these expenses vary depending on your location and individual circumstances. For example, in Canada, you can claim expenses if you travelled more than 40 kilometres one way to receive medical attention, while in the UK, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you are referred to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist treatment. In the US, the IRS allows you to deduct mileage for medical care if the transportation costs are primarily for and essential to the medical care.

How to claim travel expenses for medical appointments in Canada

If you need to travel for medical care in Canada, you may be able to deduct travel expenses from your taxes. The Canadian government may allow you to claim medical expense travel credits depending on how far you travelled for your care. Many of the expenses you incur when travelling for medical treatment are tax-deductible.

Conditions for claiming travel expenses

Firstly, you must have travelled at least 40 kilometres (one way) from your home to get medical services that were not available locally. You must also have taken a reasonably direct travel route, and it must be reasonable for you to have travelled to that place for those medical services.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include transportation costs, meals, accommodation, and parking. Transportation costs can include public transportation expenses (e.g. taxis, bus, or train) and vehicle expenses. If you travelled more than 80 kilometres (one way), you may also claim accommodation, meal, and parking expenses in addition to your transportation expenses.

Calculating meal and vehicle expenses

You can use either the detailed or simplified method to calculate meal and vehicle expenses. The detailed method requires you to keep all receipts and records for your 12-month period. The simplified method allows you to claim a flat medical mileage rate, but you may still need to provide documentation to support your claim.

Claiming expenses

You can claim eligible medical expenses on line 33099 or line 33199 of your tax return (Step 5 – Federal tax). Line 33099 is for claiming medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and your dependent children under 18. Line 33199 is for claiming medical expenses for other dependents, such as children over 18 or grandchildren.

Documentation

You will need documentation from your medical practitioner confirming your attendance. This can be a receipt for services or a signed letter. You will also need to keep receipts for any expenses you are claiming.

Claiming travel expenses for medical appointments in the UK

If you need to travel for medical appointments in the UK, you may be able to claim travel expenses through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme or the Health Service Low Income Support Scheme. Here is a guide on how to claim travel expenses for medical appointments in the UK:

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

If you are on a low income and need Health Service treatment at a hospital, Health Service centre, or private clinic, you may be eligible for financial help through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme. You must also be under the care of a consultant to qualify.

Those receiving the following benefits may be eligible:

• Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
• Guarantee Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (with or without Working Tax Credit)
• Working Tax Credit with the disability element or severe disability element

You can check your eligibility using the tax credit calculator. If you are claiming Universal Credit, you may also be able to get help with health and travel costs for you, your partner, or your children.

To claim, you will need to fill out a Health Costs Form HC1 and post it or hand it in to your local Jobs & Benefits office. If you are eligible, you can claim at the hospital or clinic during your appointment and will be reimbursed immediately in cash upon showing proof of a qualifying benefit, a tax credit exemption certificate, or a certificate showing qualification for the Health Service Low Income Support Scheme.

Health Service Low Income Support Scheme

If you are on a low income but do not receive any of the above benefits or allowances, you may still claim travel costs through the Health Service Low Income Support Scheme. You can claim help with travel costs up to three months after your appointment if you can prove your eligibility at the time of the appointment. To do so, fill in a refund claim form HC5, available from Health Service hospitals and Jobs and Benefits offices.

Other Considerations

If you are using a private car for travel to your medical appointments, you can claim for petrol costs (and car parking charges where unavoidable) up to the cost of the same journey by public transport. The hospital should inform you of the mileage rate for petrol costs for private transport.

If public transport is unavailable or impractical, you must contact the hospital ahead of time to get approval for alternative travel arrangements.

Claiming travel expenses for medical appointments in the US

Claiming travel expenses for medical appointments can provide financial relief, especially when you factor in accommodation, meals, and other related expenses. Here is a guide to claiming travel expenses for medical appointments in the US:

Eligibility:

To be eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses for medical appointments, you must meet specific criteria. For example, you may need to have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher, be travelling for treatment of a service-connected condition, or have an income below a certain threshold. Additionally, the medical services you require must not be available locally.

Documentation:

It is important to maintain proper documentation to support your claim. This includes proof of attendance at the medical appointment, such as receipts for services or a letter signed by your healthcare provider. Keep track of your mileage and retain receipts for transportation costs, meals, and lodging.

Claim Submission:

You can file a claim for reimbursement online through the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS). Alternatively, you can submit your claim by mail or in person at the VA facility where you received treatment. If submitting by mail or in person, you will need to fill out and sign a Veteran/Beneficiary Claim for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses form (VA Form 10-3542).

Claim Calculation:

The reimbursement amount is typically based on the mileage rate or the actual expense, whichever is less. The standard mileage rate for a personal vehicle is $0.16 per mile. If using a personal vehicle, you can deduct actual expenses such as fuel costs, but this does not include license and registration fees.

Timeliness:

Be mindful of the deadline for submitting your claim. It is important to file your claim within 30 days of your appointment or from when you become eligible for reimbursement. Each appointment requires a separate claim.

By following these steps, you can effectively claim travel expenses for medical appointments in the US and receive reimbursement for your eligible costs.

What to do if you can't claim travel expenses for medical appointments

If you are unable to claim travel expenses for medical appointments, there are a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue.

Firstly, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for claiming travel expenses. In many places, you must travel a certain distance to be eligible for reimbursement. For example, in Canada, you must travel at least 40 kilometres one way to obtain medical services that are not available locally. Similarly, in Queensland, Australia, you must travel at least 20 kilometres one way or more than 150 kilometres a week from your home or workplace for the appointment.

If you meet the distance criteria, there may be other reasons why your claim was denied. For instance, it is typically required that there were no equivalent medical services near your home, and that you took a direct route to your appointment. If you did not meet these conditions, it could be why you are unable to claim travel expenses.

Additionally, it is important to provide the necessary documentation to support your claim. This usually includes receipts for your travel expenses, such as gas receipts or public transport tickets, as well as documentation confirming your attendance at the medical appointment, such as a receipt for services or a letter signed by your service provider.

If you believe that you meet all the criteria and have provided the necessary documentation, you should contact the relevant authority handling your claim. They will be able to provide specific guidance on why your claim was denied and advise on any further steps you can take.

How to calculate mileage for claiming travel expenses for medical appointments

The process of claiming travel expenses for medical appointments can be a tedious task, but it can help you save a significant amount of money. Here is a detailed guide on how to calculate mileage for claiming travel expenses for medical appointments:

Understanding the Requirements:

Before calculating your mileage, it is essential to understand the requirements for claiming travel expenses. In most cases, you need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for reimbursement. For example, in Canada, you must travel a certain distance (at least 40 kilometers one way) to claim transportation costs, and the medical services must not be available locally. Similar criteria may apply in other countries or regions.

Calculating Mileage:

Calculating your mileage involves determining the distance travelled specifically for your medical appointments. This can be done by recording the odometer readings at the beginning and end of your trip or using online maps or mileage tracking applications to calculate the distance between your home and the medical facility.

Determining the Rate:

The rate per mile or kilometer varies depending on your location and the guidelines set by the relevant tax or healthcare authority. For instance, in the US, the IRS sets the standard mileage rate for medical appointments, which was 21 cents per mile driven for medical purposes in 2024. In Canada, each province or territory has its own rate, which is updated annually. Be sure to check the rate applicable to your location.

Calculating Expenses:

To calculate your eligible expenses, multiply the distance travelled for medical treatment by the rate for your specific location. For example, if you travelled 160 kilometers for a medical appointment and the rate in your province is 55 cents per kilometer, your eligible expense would be $88. This amount can then be claimed as a medical travel expense.

Record-Keeping:

It is crucial to maintain proper records and documentation to support your claim. Keep track of your mileage, dates of travel, and any receipts related to your trip, such as fuel or parking receipts. Some authorities may require you to submit these documents as proof of your expenses.

Utilizing Tools:

Take advantage of mileage tracking applications or websites that can help you automatically calculate and track your mileage. These tools can simplify the process of recording and organizing your mileage information, making it easier to claim your travel expenses.

Remember to refer to the specific guidelines provided by the relevant tax or healthcare authority in your region to ensure you are calculating and claiming your mileage accurately and in compliance with the applicable rules.

Frequently asked questions