Medical Expenses – What Can I Claim?
You may be able to salary package eligible medical and dental expenses incurred by you, your spouse/de facto partner, or other eligible dependants. Generally, eligible expenses include costs for medical services provided by registered medical practitioners, such as doctors, dentists, and specialists, as well as prescribed medications. If you receive a rebate from your private health insurer, only the remaining out-of-pocket (gap) amount can be salary packaged.
What you can claim
- Medical services provided by a registered medical practitioner, this may include: General practitioner (GP) consultations, Specialist appointments or Dental treatment
- Eligible medical and dental expenses incurred for: Yourself, Your spouse or de facto partner, other eligible dependents
- The out-of-pocket (gap) amount remaining after any private health insurance rebate has been applied
- Eligible overseas medical or dental expenses may be considered where supported by sufficient supporting documentation
- Expenses supported by valid tax invoices and proof of payment
What you can't claim
- Expenses that have been fully reimbursed by a private health insurer or another party
- The portion of a medical expense covered by a private health insurance rebate
- Expenses paid entirely by someone other than you or your spouse/de facto partner
- Fines, penalties, or infringement notices
- Claims supported only by an EFTPOS receipt without a corresponding tax invoice
- Receipts or invoices that cannot be adequately verified
- Non-medical personal expenses that do not meet the eligibility requirements for this benefit
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Scenario-Based Examples
Can I claim a doctor's consultation?
Jessica attends a specialist appointment and pays a consultation fee of $250. Her private health insurer reimburses $100. Jessica may be able to claim the remaining $150 gap amount, provided she supplies the invoice and proof of payment.*
Can I claim dental treatment?
Ethan pays $900 for dental treatment for his child and receives a $300 rebate from his health fund. Ethan can claim the remaining $600 out-of-pocket expense, provided he supplies the tax invoice and proof of payment.*
Can I claim prescription medication?
Sophie fills a prescription issued by her doctor and pays for the medication at her local pharmacy. Since prescribed medications are generally eligible medical expenses when supported by a valid invoice and proof of payment, so Sophie can claim this expense.*
Can I claim the full amount if my health insurer reimbursed part of the expense?
Lucas incurs a medical expense of $500 and receives a $350 rebate from his private health insurer. Lucas may only be able to claim remaining $150 gap amount as an eligible expense and not the full $500 payment.*
Can I claim using only an EFTPOS receipt?
Priya submits an EFTPOS receipt showing a payment amount but does not provide the tax invoice detailing the treatment received. The claim cannot be processed as an EFTPOS receipt alone is not a valid proof purchase or payment.*
Can I claim an overseas dental expense?
Daniel receives emergency dental treatment while overseas. He provides the invoice, proof of payment, and evidence of the Australian dollar conversion. Daniel can claim the overseas dental expense, subject to the eligibility requirements and supporting documentation.*
Can I claim an expense paid by a friend?
Marcus submits an invoice for medical treatment that was paid in full by a friend. Marcus cannot claim this expense as it was not paid for by Marcus or his spouse/de facto partner incurred the expense.*