後期こうき高齢こうれい者しゃの医療いりょう費ひ 「配慮はいりょ措置そち」終了しゅうりょう あすから窓口まどぐち負担ふたん増ぞうも

The measure to ease the increase in out-of-pocket medical expenses for people aged 75 and over who pay 20% at medical institutions will end on the 30th.

As a result, there will be cases where outpatient costs at the reception will increase after October 1st.

The standard out-of-pocket medical expense for late-stage elderly people aged 75 and over is 10%, but in order to reduce the insurance premium burden on the working generation, since October 2022, it has been raised to 20% for those with an annual income of 2 million yen or more in single-person households, or a household income of 3.2 million yen or more in multi-person households such as couples.

On the other hand, in order to mitigate a sudden increase in expenses, a special measure has been established for a limited period of three years, capping the increase in outpatient costs per month at 3,000 yen.

And now that three years have passed, this measure will end in 30 days, and from October 1st, there will be cases where the out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient visits will increase.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the increased burden will apply to people whose out-of-pocket payment rate is 20% and whose monthly outpatient medical expenses exceed 30,000 yen but are less than 150,000 yen.

For example, if the monthly medical expenses were 50,000 yen, the amount you had to pay was 8,000 yen—consisting of 5,000 yen 10% of 50,000 yen plus 3,000 yen—up to 30 days. However, from October 1 onward, it will be 10,000 yen, which is 20% of 50,000 yen, resulting in an increase of 2,000 yen.

However, thanks to the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System, your out-of-pocket payment at the counter will be capped at a maximum of 18,000 yen per month.

It is estimated that about 3.1 million people will be affected, and the average annual burden is expected to increase by around 9,000 yen.

On the other hand, this will reduce the insurance premium burden on the working generation by about 24 billion yen per year.

Fukuoka, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, We will make sure to thoroughly inform people so that there is no confusion caused by changes in out-of-pocket costs at service counters.

We would like to carefully consider measures to ensure the sustainability of the system as we work toward building an all-generation social security system where people support each other according to their ability to bear the burden, regardless of age, while continuing to make sure that necessary security for the elderly is not lacking.