This is one of the most commonly asked questions to our clinic. Applying to access superannuation is one of the ways that many patients fund their bariatric procedure without having to take out a loan from the bank. Unfortunately it is not guaranteed that everyone will be approved to access their superannuation for a bariatric procedure.
You will need to seek approval from the ATO no matter what superannuation account that you currently have, this includes self-managed super accounts.
What steps do I need to take to access superannuation for bariatric surgery?
Step 1 – Obtain a referral from your general practitioner to see Dr Adib
Step 2 – Book an appointment with our clinic for an initial appointment. If you meet the requirements for a bariatric procedure and are booked in for a procedure you can proceed to the next step.
Step 3 – An application will be completed by Dr Adib at Brisbane Obesity Clinic at the time of your appointment to access your superannuation.
Step 4 – You will need to have an application form completed by your general practitioner. (This is a requirement of the ATO that you have full support from both the specialist- Dr Adib and your general practitioner).
Step 5 – Complete an application form online with the ATO through your MyGov account. You will need to attach both application forms, along with quotes and any other information requested from the ATO.
Step 6 – Once you have been approved from the ATO the money will be released to your account to pay for your medical expenses.
Important things to remember when applying for your superannuation
1. You will be taxed on the money released from your superannuation account.
2. This may affect your end of financial year income assessment.
3. This may also affect any benefits that you may be currently receiving from the government
**Please note that you can only access your superannuation for unpaid invoices. The ATO will not allow you to access funds for a procedure that has already been paid for.
