| Japan, a nation with a long life expectancy, a | | | | Negative points of the Japanese system |
| rapidly aging population and a reputation as being | | | | Doctors on average see more patients and thus |
| expensive, surprising has one of the lowest per | | | | spend less time with each individual patient than in |
| capita health care costs among the developed | | | | the US. Hospital conditions are often not as nice |
| nations. Here is a basic look at the system, how it | | | | as those found in the US. For example, unless |
| controls costs and some of its positive and | | | | paying for a private room, most patients stay in |
| negative points. | | | | shared rooms with the patients separated by |
| Residents of Japan are obliged to join one of two | | | | curtains. Most hospitals do not take reservations. |
| types of health insurance systems. One type is a | | | | Patients simply go to the hospital and wait their |
| social insurance plan which is normally for | | | | turn. |
| corporate employees. The other is national health | | | | Drugs are often over prescribed. One reason for |
| insurance, which is for the self-employed, students | | | | this is that since doctors spend less time with |
| and others not covered under a social insurance | | | | each patient, the sometimes simply prescribe |
| plan. | | | | drugs for initial visits instead of more thoroughly |
| When someone goes to a hospital in Japan, | | | | diagnosing the problem. The other reason is that |
| insurance will usually cover 70%-80% of the | | | | hospitals sometimes can make money off the |
| costs upfront with the patient paying the | | | | prescriptions. |
| difference. For more expensive treatments, the | | | | Since going to the hospital is relatively cheap, |
| patient can receive a reimbursement for costs | | | | people abuse the system and seek medical |
| incurred. | | | | treatment when it is not really needed. Many |
| By law, the insurance plans cannot deny a | | | | hospitals are losing money since prices are often |
| legitimate claim or refuse anyone regardless of | | | | set too low. Also, there is underinvestment in |
| preexisting conditions. Also, medical care is not | | | | some areas and the system is laden in paperwork |
| rationed by age or for any other reason. Most | | | | and regulation. |
| hospitals are privately owned. However, the rates | | | | While premiums are still much lower than the US, |
| they can charge for most services and drugs are | | | | they are rising and an increasing number of people |
| set by Japanese Health Ministry every couple of | | | | cannot afford them. However, this is often offset |
| years. | | | | by programs that provide medical care for the |
| People are free to choose whichever hospital they | | | | children and the elderly. Overall, while the Japanese |
| like. In spite of the fact Japanese people receive | | | | health care system does a good job at providing |
| more medical care and spend more time in | | | | nearly universal coverage at an affordable price, it |
| hospitals, Japan spends less on health care, and | | | | is not without it problems. |
| health insurance costs are much lower. | | | | |