A government panel Wednesday announced new medical service fees aimed at encouraging home care over hospitalization of the elderly and giving priority to pediatric services.
The panel is calling for a record cut of 3.16 percent in the state's share of medical fees.
The government will introduce clinics to support home care for the elderly, aiming to reduce long hospital stays.
It is also eyeing an increase in fees for nighttime and emergency home-care service to encourage health-care providers to improve regular home care, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council said.
The medical service fee system is revised every two years. The new system will take effect in April.
In the area of pediatric services, there will be an increase in hospital and nighttime emergency-service fees and the government will encourage health-care providers to place a greater emphasis on medical services for infants.
A first-time visit to a hospital with 20 or more beds will cost 2,700 yen instead of 2,550 yen, and the charge will be cut to 2,700 yen from 2,740 yen for clinics with less than 20 beds.