Can I claim medical reimbursements at the time of filing my income tax return?

Several employers offer a medical reimbursement of Rs 15,000 to their employees as part of salary. Medical Bills such as doctor consultations, medical tests and medicines are allowed to be claimed against this. Where no bills are submitted, the employer deducts tax from this amount and pays the net amount to the employee along with salary.
Several tax payers write to us asking whether they can claim medical reimbursement in their income tax return. Unfortunately, this benefit can only be claimed via the employer. There is no mechanism to submit bills to the IT Department to claim the benefit. The income tax act lays down that this can be done only by submitting bills to the employer.