Med 1 – The time is now!

As a Hibernian Aviva Health member you’re probably know by now that we aim to empower people to take greater control of their health. Well now you can take even greater control of your expenses too! Did you know you’re entitled to tax benefits and refunds along with your Hibernian Aviva Health cover?

Tax relief is available on health expenses, which haven’t been refunded or won’t be refunded by your health insurer, for yourself and/or your dependants. This could put a lot more money back into your own pocket!
 
You can now receive money back for your health expenses from January 1st to December 31st 2007 by completing a MED 1 form. This form can be used by PAYE employees and the self employed and it can be downloaded from www.revenue.ie. You can also submit your claim online.

Brilliant news!

This year when you total your medical expenses on the MED1 form, you don't have to deduct an excess figure any more (even though the excess details are still showing on the form). You will get tax relief on the total figure.

Your Essentials:

You will need to have a few things at hand before you start:
1. The MED 1 form itself as it contains detailed information on what you can and can’t claim for.
2. Your PPS number which is on your Certificate of Tax Credits or your payslip
3. All your receipts for health expenses
4. Evidence of tax paid such as a P60 or final payslip

The types of expenses that qualify for tax relief are:
  • Maintenance or treatment in an approved nursing home
  • Non routine dental treatment
  • Services of a doctor or consultant
  • Drugs/medicines where prescribed by a Doctor or other qualifying practitioner
  • Educational psychological assessment for a dependent child
  • Speech or language therapy for a dependent child
  • Orthoptic or similar treatment
  • Diagnosic procedures (x rays, scans etc.)
  • Physiotherapy or similar treatment
  • Expenses incurred on any medical, surgical or nursing appliance
  • Maternity care
  • Maintenance or treatment in hospital
  • Consumable products for special dietary needs
  • Other qualifying expenses
Expenses that don’t qualify for tax relief are sums received or due from:
  • Any public or local authority
  • Under your insurance policy
  • Other sources e.g. a compensation claim
Other expenses that don’t qualify for tax relief are:
  • The cost of sight testing, spectacles and contact lenses
  • Non routine dental treatment - for this claim you must hold a completed MED 2 form signed and certified by your dental practitioner

Our advice is to claim your Hibernian Aviva Health day-to-day and out patient expenses first and then apply for tax relief on the balance of your medical expenses. Not forgetting that if you’ve already received a refund from Hibernian Aviva Health or are due a refund, you can’t claim tax relief on that amount as well.

Here’s an example of how your claim could work:
 Lets say you had 6 visits to your GP at €45 per visit which is            = €270
With Hibernian Aviva Health day-to-day 50 you can claim back €30 per visit   = €180
You can then claim tax relief on the balance of €90 on your Med 1 claim

So it’s really very easy to get the most from your tax benefits. Just make sure you keep all receipts from your health expenses tucked away in a safe place as the revenue can request them up to a whole 6 years later.

More Information

Tax Benefits and Refunds
Day-to-day plans


Good links

Revenue: www.revenue.ie
 Department of Health & Children: www.doh.ie

MORE POWER TO YOUR HEALTH