Is a concierge medical fee deductible?

It's treated as if it were insurance for the purposes of taking the tax deduction. It also satisfies the insurance requirement of Massachusetts' health care law, and I presume also Obamacare. So while it may not literally be insurance, as far as most laws are concerned it is.

Which then raises the question: how is a concierge practice different from an HMO, so that the former should not get the same legal benefits?

Having had 27 surgeries over the last nine and a half years, I have seen more than my share of doctors and there are a few to whom I would gladly pay a concierge fee to know I would get an appointment immediately in the case of what I think is an emergency or within five days otherwise.

After my first visit of the year, I would pay the concierge fee and send it to my wife's health care reimbursement account. (All of us kept men keep all of our women working so we can use their employee benefits. More women means more benefits!)

Now if you aren't being kept by someone with terrific benefits and must use Schedule A Medical Expenses, our colleague Alan is on the money - Don't deduct a 2013 expense in 2012.

Dick

Alan, done on the thread or not, you are mistaken. The concierge fee is deductible, not because it is "like insurance" but because it is a payment for medical services.