A new paper authored by PhD student Hiroko Sakurai and Professor Naoki Kondo, along with a multidisciplinary team, has been published in the JMA Journal (Japan Medical Association Journal).
The review evaluates the extent to which the Japanese medical reimbursement system incorporates assessments and actions related to Social Determinants of Health (SDH), such as economic status and social support, with a special focus on primary care settings. The researchers reviewed eight specific reimbursement requirements. They found that while recent updates, such as the “Hospitalization and Discharge Support Fee” and “Guidance in Cooperation with Mental Health Care Fee,” explicitly recognize SDH factors like economic deprivation and isolation, significant challenges remain. The study highlights the need for clearer definitions of SDH factors within the payment system, creation opportunities to assess SDH outside of hospital settings, and stronger incentives for collaboration with community support sectors.
This study offers critical insights for future revisions of the reimbursement system to better address health disparities in Japan.
Click here to access the paper.