MoneyLine By Neil Downing: Few Taxpayers Can Claim Medical Expenses.

Question: I see my [general practitioner] every three months, have blood work done every three months, and take a number of prescription medicines on a daily basis. Can I deduct any of this on my tax return?

— B.C., Warwick

Answer: You can try, but you’d be among the minority of taxpayers who succeed. Most people don’t deduct medical expenses because there are too many hurdles to clear. For example:

•Itemizing: When you do your federal income-tax return, you have a choice: You may claim a lump-sum deduction (called the standard deduction), or you may make a separate list of all your