If you are planning for health care expenses for 2010 and have an option for a medical savings account or, as it is sometimes called, a flexible savings account , don’t forget to include hearing-related costs like:

• Hearing Aids - most people get new ones every four to five years.
• Hearing Aid Batteries - batteries meet the IRS code for medical expenses and equipment.
• Yearly Hearing Exam - not all insurance companies cover this basic test.  Check and see if your does, and if it doesn’t, call your ENT and your Audiologist to find out how much a maintenance exam will cost.  Include the price in your health care costs for next year.
• Do you need special equipment at work or at home to help you communicate.  Include these expected purchases in your total.
• If you use Acupuncture or other natural health care services to help relieve tinnitus or other issues, the cost of the service is a qualified expense.

The full IRS publication is here.   The list of qualifying expenses start on page five.   Please email us if you have any questions.