From their point of view, they were.

There have been times that anyone wishes they weren't the sex they were born, transgender isn't that just longer. I don't understand it, but I am certain that I can't unless I had been born a boy.

Transgender is a touchy subject in psychology, but I believe that it is best treated through gender reassignment surgery, in those that are truly transgendered.

if this person is truly truly a woman trapped in a mans body, and nobody knows that but her, i say what the hell... people try to carry dogs and cats and half-cousins on their taxes, why not this?

As another sort of tax fraud? I can see that.

if there was a way to tell 100% it wouldnt be fraud...however it would also come with the stigma of being a disease, disorder, etc. and i doubt these people want anymore labels stuck to them...

I think the real question we're all ignoring to this point is whether the actual sex change is a viable treatment for this condition, or whether it is purely 'cosmetic' in nature - is the IRS process for determining this more stringent than determining dependents?

no the REAL question is who deemed the IRS capable of making decisions as to what is and isn't medically necessary

Well, they're really determining what does or doesn't reach the threshold to meet the definition for a tax write-off - that's not a subtle or nit-picky difference, either. It's kind of their job.

So, this person is basically Screwed?

Yep sounds like it!;)

only quoting you because your points were succint and easy to discuss...

but all of this is such a debatable area - and seeing as so few people on GC are doctors or psychologists (or transgendered for that matter), its REALLY hard for me to take people's personal OPINIONS too seriously. and that's really what a lot of these arguments (both for and against) come down to... personal opinions. sorry, but people's personal and religious views just aren't enough of a real argument.

at any rate i'm totally with you on the taxing issue james. damn irs. there's a freaking bloated gov't agency i wouldn't mind seeing scaled back some...

- m

Isn't medical necessity determined by the situation being life or death? Or hey.. maybe a lady with low self-esteem would think a breast augmentation is "medical necessity"?

I don't really see how cosmetic surgery could ever be deemed a "necessity."

Medical necessity is based upon whether or not the medical procedure will enhance the individual's current quality of life or increase their chances for living. Women who have breast redux because of back or breathing problems get those and are approved by insurance companies because it is medically necessary.

I don't think sex change procedures are cosmetic

Flippin' scripts...
 

To be honest, most folks have yet to study strict gender identity crises under the "genetic microscope". Yes, there are genes and mechanisms of gene regulations that are gender stratified. Mutations in these areas of the chromosome is massive. So we usually are not talking about a fully independent adult. There are also nuances of genes that seem to be inherited gender-specifically. I think I just read a Science or Nature paper that if the epigentic inheritance was given from Mother to Offspring (be it male or female), then this gene pattern arises. Moreover, we are also beginning to scrape the surface of microRNA regulation and silencers.

Should this transgendered person write their invasive surgery off as a medical expense?

The amount of surgery required and the invasivity of it--meaning the fact that is person elected to have it and by the mere surgery, if there were complications, could have died from it--suggests no matter how cosmetic we think it was or if it was elective, the person should be able to write it off on his/her taxes.

Basically, should the IRS be making ANY medical/clinical decisions and are they qualified to do so?

They can hire outside contractors to decide. But it should be of the person's choosing or at least 1-2 contractors in a collective group.

But, I am VERY uncomfortable with the IRS probing into my medical personal life. That is a HIPPA violation.

Medicine does NOT judge... We are losing that aspect about US Healthcare.

thank you for saying that

How many transgendered people do you know on a personal level?

HIPAA.