Doula - Eligible Federal Medical Expense?

[GoBigRed]

I have looked everywhere and have asked a few accountant/CPA friends.  No one has been able to give me an answer so far and my research has not been conclusive.  Anyone have experience with this or know if a doula can be claimed as a deductible federal medical expense on federal taxes?  We still had a surgeon deliver because of last minute complications.  Without going into details, we had lots of medical expenses this year where the deduction actually will come in to play for us.  We paid out of pocket and have receipt. 

Appreciate the assistance.

[BlueLesPaul]

I don't have anything official on this, but the unofficial information I have access to a my work tells me that a doula will only qualify to the extent that the doula provides medical care for the patient (e.g., mother and/or child); services such as emotional support, parenting information, child care, and housekeeping will not qualify.

[GoBigRed]

Thanks!  I am leaning towards it not being an expense.

[Dr. A]

We were actually able to get part of our Doula services covered by insurance, and all of it went through on an HSA submission. However, that was in 2011, and I know ACA changed the qualified services list. We had the doula use insurer billing codes on the invoice.

[GoBigRed]

Thanks for the tip.  I think we are going to try and submit it to insurance.  Worth a shot.