Compensation for Driving to Dialysis

[karen547]

My Social Worker gave me the papers to start recording my driving to treatment. I wanted to know how many of you are getting this as well? And how much do you get?

[boxman55]

hmmm.I wasn't aware you could claim your miles. Anybody?? ...BOXMAN

[willieandwinnie]

Boxman,

I'm with you on this one. We never had anybody ever mention this to us. But, if it is Social Workers responsibility, that would explain it at our clinic. 

Our tax guy told me to save all gas receipts and record mileage for going to doctor's, hospital, clinic and everything else related to Len's treatment. Even parking, which in DC can really get to be expensive. There isn't any transportation here unless you are in a nursing home. We live in the sticks. 

[jbeany]

If you have a high enough total medical cost, you can deduct the expense on your taxes.  There isn't any program in Michigan that reimburses for travel costs to get to clinic.  Maybe it's an individual state program where karen lives?

[Lori1851]

HI Friends,
I know when Dusitn started dialysis he drove to Indy it was like 50miles round trip. Dustin could have had a van pick him up the way I understand it. But,,,, he chose to drive go figure

Lori/Indiana

[boxman55]

It's like anything else you want to be independent. I could also set up transportation but then I would be waiting on them. If you can do it on your terms I think most people would not want to count on someone else...Boxman

[kimcanada]

When I first started dialysis, I drove just about 2 hours one way, 3 times a week...

I inquired if the Kidney Foundation had anything set up to help in the traveling expenses, and was told they are very reluctant to help people in something that is on-going, unlike helping with dental costs when you are getting ready for a transplant.

BUT... I am able to claim ever mile drove on my income tax return because I was over the 30 kms. I am not to sure how much this will all equal out to but I will let you know when I do my taxes up.

[del]

Kim if you are enough km away you can claim a meal on your income tax too.  You can also claim for a person to have to come with you ( a meal for them)  Just need the form signed by the dialysis unit (This is in Canada guys)  I claimed all this on income tax for 6 years.  As well a person on dialysis can now claim the disability deduction benifit as well. That's over 4000 dollars.  For 6 years I got back almost all the income tax I paid in.  I have medical insurance but they pay a maximum of $600 a year for travel.  We had a 206 km drive return so that did not help much.  There is a form from revenue Canada that explains it all.  If you have any questions feel free to PM me!!!

In my province if you are on Social Security (welfare) expenses will be paid for your trips to dialysis (they will pay for a taxi) everybody else is on their own!!

[BigSky]

Here you only get reimbursed milage if you leave out of town from the dialysis unit.  Some areas do have things where a local cab will pick them up for free and take them home for free.   From what I hear though the wait to get home can be quite long sometimes.

[Joe Paul]

We get that here where I live, its 15 cents a mile. Average reimbursement is 74.10 a month. They pay that for runs to the doctors offices, to pick up prescriptions and such, but I only turn in milage for dialysis trips.

[2_DallasCowboys]

Hmm, I wonder if Jersey has anything like this.
My husband's unit is very, very close to the house-
only 5 mins away- but we have had to make trips into
Penna for his fistula surgery.  Also, our primary care Dr
is in the next county- I am going to ask the S. worker
this week about this

Anne

[boxman55]

We get that here where I live, its 15 cents a mile. Average reimbursement is 74.10 a month. They pay that for runs to the doctors offices, to pick up prescriptions and such, but I only turn in milage for dialysis trips.

Joe Paul, is that a state thing or do you declare on your Federal...Boxman

[Joe Paul]

Actually you claim that through your county here in this part of Pennsylvania.

[cambonesegirl]

I ride with a medical transportation company to dialysis. Most of the time they're reliable, but flaky at times. My insurance fully covers the cost, so that means I don't have to drive myself to dialysis especially with the high gas prices.

[boclark54]

When my husband was in-center and driving his Social Worker tried for him and was turned down. Said you had to be on Medicaid or one of the state aide programs (not sure sure which) Being on Medicare didn't count, being on Social Security definitely would have put our income under any income limit.

[thegrammalady]

in colorado medicaid pays for non emergency medical transportation. there are several transportation companies and they also use the taxi companies. yellow cab picks me up at 4:45am and then at 10am three days a week. i have two drivers i work with they are very nice and always on time.  (would have problems if this went through dispatch every time) i could also get transportation to doctor appointments but prefer to drive myself for those.