Scales (Diabetes)

Are scales for diabetes CRA eligible in Canada?

No. The CRA explicitly states that an amount paid by patients with diabetes for a scale — whether to weigh themselves or their food — is not an eligible medical expense under any provision of subsection 118.2(2) of the Income Tax Act. Scales cannot be claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) and cannot be reimbursed through an HSA or PHSP, even if purchased on the advice of a medical practitioner.

What Does Not Qualify

• A scale purchased by a person with diabetes to weigh themselves
• A food scale purchased by a person with diabetes to weigh food portions for blood sugar management
• Any scale bought for diabetes self-management purposes, regardless of whether a doctor recommended it

Good to Know

• The CRA treats scales as a general household item, not a medical device, even when used as part of a diabetes management routine.
• Mobile apps that help manage blood glucose levels without actually measuring them are also excluded under the same CRA guidance — see Mobile Applications for Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels.
• Devices that actually measure blood glucose (e.g., blood coagulation monitors, continuous glucose monitors) may qualify under separate provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are diabetes scales CRA eligible?

No. The CRA explicitly excludes scales purchased by patients with diabetes — for weighing themselves or their food — from eligibility under subsection 118.2(2) of the Income Tax Act.

Can I claim a diabetes scale through my HSA?

No. Since scales for diabetes are not METC eligible, they cannot be reimbursed through an HSA.

Source

Based on the CRA's official eligible medical expenses list and Income Tax Folio S1-F1-C1, "Drugs, medicaments and other preparations or substances".