How does this compare internationally? For instance, what kind of measures does Germany employ for high-cost medical care? In fact, Germany also has a similar system, but its implementation differs somewhat from Japan’s approach. This article examines the role of Japan’s high-cost medical expense system within its healthcare framework and compares it with Germany’s approach, analyzing how each system affects patients and society as a whole. However, with the continual increase in medical costs, the sustainability of this system has become a major issue. The government has considered raising the threshold as a cost-control measure but ultimately postponed the decision. If the cap were raised, financially vulnerable patients might be forced to give up necessary treatments, jeopardizing the equity of healthcare access. This underscores how essential the system remains within Japan’s healthcare structure.Daiki Wakabayashi Japan has a system called the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System, which exempts patients from paying any additional medical costs once their monthly out-of-pocket payments exceed a certain threshold. Thanks to this system, patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, as well as their families, are protected from financial collapse and can focus on receiving appropriate treatment with peace of mind. In recent years, however, the sustainability of this system has come under scrutiny due to rising social security expenditures. The Japanese government has considered increasing the out-of-pocket payment cap this August, and although the proposal was ultimately postponed, the debate has raised concerns about how such a change could impact access to care for severely ill patients. Japan’s High-Cost Medical Expense System Japan’s system works by reimbursing the portion of medical expenses that exceeds a pre-defined threshold, thereby capping the patient’s financial burden. These caps are determined by income level and age, functioning as a crucial safety net for patients with serious illnesses. For example, a typical patient with average income may have a monthly out-of-pocket cap of around ¥80,000, while those in higher income brackets may have to pay more than ¥250,000. Conversely, low-income households and elderly patients benefit from significantly lower thresholds, reflecting a system designed with broad inclusivity.Goethe University, Germany8Comparison of High - Cost Medical Expensive Schemes:-Differencces in Cost-Relief Mesures Between Japan and Germany
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