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| A doctor's diagnosis is an important first step. |
by Lynn
Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
As costs rise
for incontinence products and other home health care supplies, savvy consumers
look into any possible means of reimbursement. Options for partial or full
reimbursement depend on medical condition, age, financial ability and local
resources.
Expenses for
incontinence supplies may be tax deductible if shown they’re needed to relieve
the effects of a specific disease, according to U.S. Internal Revenue Service
guidelines. In cases where incontinence products are needed for a condition
like simple bladder weakness, individuals may have other options for
reimbursement.
First steps
Start by
seeing your doctor, who may diagnose you with medical incontinence and may be
able to advise you on seeking reimbursement based on your health and financial
situation. Ask your doctor for a letter that explains your medical need for
incontinence products and consult your tax adviser.
A diagnosis
in writing from a health care professional is an important first step toward
maximizing options for reimbursement, according to Heather McDonald, senior
accountant with Roberts, Ritschke & Tyczkowski, Ltd. “If you have a
diagnosed severe neurological disease — Alzheimer’s, for example — and you wear
Depends, there is guidance to allow individuals to take the deduction. For
something like bladder weakness, you’d need more extensive documentation to
even consider the deduction,” she says.
In addition
to Alzheimer’s, there are more than 600 neurologic diseases, according to the
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Other major types include muscular
dystrophy, spina bifida, and Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. Patients
who have suffered stroke, injuries to the brain or spinal cord, epilepsy,
cancer or meningitis also are considered to have neurologic disease.
Your health
insurance plan
While many
private insurance plans do not cover incontinence supplies, you may be
reimbursed through a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending
account (FSA) if certain conditions are met, according to McDonald.
“An HSA is
self-funded; medical expenses are paid with a debit card or check. An FSA is
employer-sponsored. It would have to be a qualified medical expense for both of
them. It must be in writing or it would not qualify,” says McDonald.
With an HSA,
funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax at the
time of deposit, and funds roll over and accumulate year to year if not used.
With an FSA, an employee sets aside a portion of earnings, which are not
subject to payroll taxes, to pay for qualified expenses; funds deposited into
an FSA must be used within the calendar year. With flex spending plans,
receipts are submitted to a plan administrator and participants receive
reimbursement checks. HSA plans are self-administered to pay for medical
expenses.
Medicare
Medicare is a
health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with
certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease.
Medicare programs include hospital insurance, medical insurance and
prescription drug coverage. To see if you may be eligible for benefits, use the
Medicare Eligibility Tool.
Medicaid
Medicaid is
health insurance that helps many people who can’t afford medical care pay for
some or all of their medical bills. If you are a U.S. citizen with limited
income and you qualify for Medicaid because of age or disability, Medicaid may
send payments directly to your health care providers. Visit Medicaid for
information on qualifications and to find a program in your state.
County
offices for the aging
Check your
telephone book’s county government section for aging and disability resource
centers. These county offices may be able to direct you to resources to help
you receive reimbursement.
Diaper banks
Some areas
offers diaper banks, where products are donated by organizations or
individuals, then given to people who cannot afford them. Although many diaper
banks focus on newborns, some include incontinence supplies for adults. Check
your phone book or look online to see if your city or state offers this
service. Your local senior center may be able to help you find resources as
well.
Next steps
When it comes to purchasing incontinence
products for the first time, consumers easily can be confused by the array of
brands, styles, sizes and absorbencies. And once opened, they can’t be
returned, so mistakes are costly.
To remedy the
problem, we have knowledgeable ladies to answer questions at 1-800-985-1353.
And our website is packed with free, helpful, easy-to-find resources, including
information on types of incontinence, a product finder tool, samples to try
before you buy, a caregiver resource library and hundreds of articles.
Consult your
tax professional for advice on medical and other deductions.
About The
CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their
loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information
about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of
Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web
site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most
important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to
prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for
incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The
CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit
http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353. Help
support this ad-free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two
minutes.
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| Call us. We're here to help. |
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