Medical Title

[Gretel]

I am totally stupid when it comes to titles and what they mean. Is a person with these titles "L., Ac., Dipl, C.H." a recognized doctor for medical expense deduction? She is doing Acupuncture and Herbs and deals mainly with allergies.

Looking at TTB it appears as though the title of the person administering the medical care doesn't really matter. Is that true?

[JohnH]

The abbreviation "Dipl" is a broad term used to denote a Diplomate in a medical specialty.
If you look at the credentials of many Board Certified Specialists, they will often use the formal term "A Diplomate of the (xxx specialty)" It's also used by posers and imposters to make their credentials sound important.

This might be of some help in your case:

http://www.nccaom.org/diplomates/index.html

I'm guessing the person is a Licensed Acupuncturist claiming they have a Diplomate in Chinese Herbology.
(Honest, I'm not making this up)

Whether they are a recognized doctor for medical expense deduction? I have no idea...

[gkaiseril]

You will need to see if the state licenses these types of practitioners in the same manner as it does traditional doctors.

See Connecticut Attorney General Warns of Bogus Medical Board Certification Scam
Targeting Immigrant Doctors http://www.credentialwatch.org/reg/lasko.shtml

[Koss]

Medical Expenses

The following text is from IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses:

Acupuncture

You can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for acupuncture.

Nutritional Supplements

You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, “natural medicines,” etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. Otherwise, these items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health, and are not for medical care.

Most states license acupuncturists. Some do not. If your client happens to live in a state that does not license the practice of acupuncture, that doesn't mean it's not deductible. The federal tax law recognizes acupuncture as a legitimate form of treatment. If the state fails to recognize it, the IRS will probably still accept it if the practitioner has some type of formal education, or a credential that is recognized in another state.

Hope this helps.

BMK

[JohnH]

I think I'll file all this away under "Alternate Career Choices" if I decide to throw in the towel next year....

[Gretel]

Thanks everyone. The picture becomes somewhat clearer now. Acupuncture treatment qualifies no matter who administers, herbs sold through acupuncture's office dispensary would qualify only if Acupuncture is a licensed medical professional and these herbs are like prescriptions.