Guest judybates Posted September 27, 2001 Posted September 27, 2001 A client of mine has a participant in their Healthcare Reimbursement Plan that stores blood "just in case" his children may need it in the future. Is this considered a reimburseable expense? Thanks.
GBurns Posted September 30, 2001 Posted September 30, 2001 Is there a possible medical reason for the storage, such as rare blood type, or is it just arbitrary vanity? George D. Burns Cost Reduction Strategies Burns and Associates, Inc www.costreductionstrategies.com(under construction) www.employeebenefitsstrategies.com(under construction)
jeanine Posted September 30, 2001 Posted September 30, 2001 It is possible to store (cybergenically, I think) umbilical blood following the birth of a child. The cord blood contains stem cells which could be used to treat a variety of medical problems that manifest at a later time of the child's life. Is this the type of storage that you are referring to? Any other autologous donation of blood lasts a much shorter time. Some people have blood withdrawn and stored in anticipation of a pending surgical procedure so that they can receive a transfusion of their own blood rather than a transfusion from an anonymous source.
KIP KRAUS Posted October 1, 2001 Posted October 1, 2001 I still say No Jeanine. What if does senarios don't count as medical expenses. Maybe in GBurn's senario where there could be a real medical reason for storage it might be considered a covered item.
jeanine Posted October 1, 2001 Posted October 1, 2001 I wasn't agreeing that it was a reimbursable expense....I was just responding as to the medical reason/vanity reason that was questioned.
SLuskin Posted October 5, 2001 Posted October 5, 2001 Actually, EBIA was citing IRS saying that umbilical cord blood storage would qualify under Section 213.
GBurns Posted October 6, 2001 Posted October 6, 2001 Can you say when and where this was done? George D. Burns Cost Reduction Strategies Burns and Associates, Inc www.costreductionstrategies.com(under construction) www.employeebenefitsstrategies.com(under construction)
SLuskin Posted October 8, 2001 Posted October 8, 2001 I can't find the site - have been looking for awhile. But I remember that it came in one of the EBIA Weekly updates. We discussed it at one of our weekly staff meetings here, and lucky for me, the employees remember it. Sorry I can't find it exactly right now, but will keep looking and let you know when I do.
Guest judybates Posted October 8, 2001 Posted October 8, 2001 This is in California and the participant is currently storing the blood in case his children need it in the future. There is no need for his children to use the blood at this time nor is it a rare blood type. He would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the storage.
GBurns Posted October 8, 2001 Posted October 8, 2001 Since it is not for a medical reason, not by prescription and not for the care, treatment etc etc, but is arbitrary and capricious etc it is not an expense of medical care and therefore not a reimburseable item. Unless SLuskin eventually finds the reference. George D. Burns Cost Reduction Strategies Burns and Associates, Inc www.costreductionstrategies.com(under construction) www.employeebenefitsstrategies.com(under construction)
Guest Harry O Posted October 9, 2001 Posted October 9, 2001 See PLR 200125507 where the IRS says that costs incurred for DNA collection and storage are not qualifying medical expenses. Seems like blood storage costs would fit into the same category . . .
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