Starting in April, COVID-19 patients in Japan will face out-of-pocket expenses for medical care and medications. This shift aligns with the government's decision to discontinue public financial support for COVID-19 treatment and medical institutions at the end of March.
Under the new system, patients will be responsible for 10 to 30 percent of treatment costs, similar to other illnesses. Currently, patients pay a fixed amount for COVID-19 medications, which can be costly. However, starting in April, they will pay a percentage of the actual cost.
Additionally, the government will eliminate subsidies for hospital medical expenses and financial support for medical institutions related to COVID-19. This includes subsidies for hospital beds specifically designated for COVID-19 patients and special reimbursement exceptions.
The government's decision to transition COVID-19 treatment to the regular medical care system is based on the downgrading of the disease to Category 5 under the Infectious Disease Control Law in May 2022. This move aims to normalize the treatment of COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.