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Why non-hospitalisation medical expenses are cold-shouldered both by the insurers and the tax authorities?

I do agree with you. The Income-Tax Act, 1961 gives full exemption to hospitalisation expenses picked up by the employer of the employee and his family subject to certain conditions but condescends to exempt only Rs 15,000 per annum of non-hospitalisation expenses.

This is harsh especially when a person unfortunately is afflicted with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes necessitating lifelong intake of medicines without hospitalisation. Surely, the income-tax law cannot expect everyone to take to yoga or pranayam as well as modified lifestyle, including proper eating practices and give up medicines. The bias towards hospitalization both on the part of taxman and insurers is perhaps rooted in the fear that non-hospitalisation bills can be easily manipulated.

S. MURLIDHARAN

More Stories on : Income Tax | Health | For the Asking

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