My parents had come here in 2007 from India and my dad was admitted to the hospital but due to the pre-existing conditions, the insurance got denied. So I paid the amount in full in March 2008 on my dad's behalf.

My question is can I get tax exemption on that amount? I paid it on my dad's behalf so I have a medical document with the bill on my dad's name and then I have the payment receipt in my name. My parents are in India.

I am working on H1B here from 4 years and so I need to file 1040.

You can claim medical expense deduction for yourself or your dependents. It appears you will not meet requirements to claim your parents.

Also. Medical expense is itemized deduction. You will take deduction only if your itemized deductions are more than your standard deduction.. You can deduct the expenses that are more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (Form 1040, line 38). Read: Your U.S. Tax Return: Itemized Deductions (http://taxipay.blogspot.com/2008/05/itemized-deductions.html)