Which medical expenses are not eligible?
There are a number of expenses that are commonly claimed as medical expenses in error. The expenses you cannot claim include the following:
•athletic or fitness club fees;
•birth control devices (non-prescription);
•blood pressure monitors;
•cosmetic surgery - expenses for purely cosmetic procedures including any related services and other expenses such as travel, incurred after March 4, 2010,cannot be claimed as medical expenses. Both surgical and non-surgical procedures purely aimed at enhancing one's appearance are not eligible. These non-eligible expenses include the following:
◦liposuction;
◦hair replacement procedures;
◦filler injections (for removal of wrinkles);
◦teeth whitening.
An expense, including those identified above, may qualify as a medical expense if it is necessary for medical or reconstructive purposes, such as surgery to address a deformity related to a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease.
•diaper services;
•health plan premiums paid by an employer and not included in your income;
•health programs;
•organic food;
•over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, even if prescribed by a medical practitioner;
•personal response systems such as Lifeline and Health Line Services;
•the following provincial and territorial plans:
◦Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
◦Manitoba Health Plan
◦Medical Services Plan of British Columbia
◦New Brunswick Medicare Division of Provincial Department of Health
◦Newfoundland Medical Care Plan
◦Northwest Territories Health Insurance Services Agency of Territorial Government
◦Nova Scotia Medical Services Insurance
◦Ontario Health Insurance Plan
◦Prince Edward Island Health Services Payment Plan
◦Quebec Health Insurance Board (including payments made to the Health Services Fund)
◦Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Plan
◦Yukon Territorial Insurance Commission; or
•travel expenses for which you can get reimbursed.