The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) in response to last night’s (28 May 2018) ABC’s Four Corners story ‘Mind the Gap’ provides the following reminder to Members:
Members must uphold the professional ethics and behaviour expected of members of ASAPS. This includes abiding by the Codes of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Medical Board of Australia (MBA), Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), The New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPS) and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA).
ASAPS Members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence with the highest professional and ethical standards of patient care and safety as well as surgical expertise and innovation in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
In relation to financial dealings, ASAPS Members must be honest and transparent. As a member of the Society our members are aware that best practice involves:
- Not exploiting patients’ vulnerability or lack of medical knowledge when providing or recommending treatment or services.
- Providing the patient with information in writing about the cost of the procedure, which should include:
- Total cost, details of deposits required and payment dates. Note: No deposit should be payable until after the cooling off period.
- Refund of deposits.
- Payments for follow-up care.
- Possible further costs for revision surgery or additional treatment.
- Advising the patient that most cosmetic procedures are not covered by Medicare.
- Not offering patients additional products or services that could act as an incentive to purchase unnecessary treatments (e.g. free or discounted flights or accommodation).
- Avoiding offering financing schemes to patients (other than credit card facilities), either directly or through a third party, such as loans or commercial payment plans, as part of the cosmetic or surgical services.
- Being transparent in financial and commercial matters relating to the practice, including in your dealings with employers, insurers and other organisations or individuals. In particular:
- Declaring any relevant and material financial or commercial interest that might have an impact on the patient’s care.
- Declaring to patients any professional or financial interests in any products endorsed by or sold from the practice, and not making an unjustifiable profit from the sale or endorsement.
- Ensuring there are no financial conflict of interest that may influence the advice provided to patients.
- The use of Medicare Item Numbers under your Medicare provider number is your legal responsibility and should not be abused. If you need to remind yourself of the rules and your obligations please do so here.
President
Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
