The AANZP Executive draws members’ attention to a communication from AHPRA together with the Medical and Dental Boards of Australia, concerning the certification of conditions for compassionate release of superannuation (CRS). We have been encouraged to share this guidance with all members and networks.
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AHPRA and the Medical and Dental Boards of Australia published new guidance for doctors and dentists in response to ongoing concerns of inappropriate conduct when certifying conditions for compassionate release of superannuation (CRS).
The guidance sets out how existing professional obligations in the codes of conduct apply when certifying that a treatment is necessary in a patient’s application for CRS. It highlights the need for practitioners with appropriate experience and knowledge in the area to conduct thorough assessments, gaining patients’ informed consent (including financial) and certifying only treatments that are necessary for the patient’s circumstances.
It also includes a warning for practitioners that influencing patients to access their super early without an Australian financial services licence could be considered financial advice and result in severe penalties from the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC).
This comes with new data released from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) which shows significant growth in applications for the compassionate release of super, with more than 93,500 applications for treatments that include IVF, weight loss and dental procedures.
This guidance is a response to concerns that some practitioners may be putting profit over patient care, builds on the release of a position statement in May and reiterates that any treatments recommended by practitioners should only be certified if they are necessary.
Read the joint media release from AHPRA and the ATO.