Japan International Clinic Alliance (JICA) Statement

On the Reasonableness of Medical Fees and Their Rationale

Introduction

To all international travelers visiting Japan, our overseas travel insurance partners, and other related stakeholders:

After receiving medical care at an international clinic in Japan, some of you may feel concerned or uncertain about medical fees.

For example, you may feel that the cost was higher than expected, that the breakdown of charges was unclear, or you may be an insurance coordinator dealing with medical billing disputes.

We fully recognize that issues related to transparency and fairness of medical fees can arise for foreign visitors to Japan.

At Japan International Clinic Alliance (JICA), we are fully committed to providing high-quality medical services at fair and reasonable prices.

This article provides an objective, fact-based explanation of how our medical fees are calculated and how Japan’s healthcare system influences these costs. Our goal is to ensure that you can use our services with confidence and peace of mind.

Table of Contents

• Overview of Medical Fees and the Insurance System in Japan

• Comparison of Medical Costs Between Japan and Other Countries

• Fees at Other International Clinics in Japan

• JICA’s Fees, Services, and Medical Cost Examples

• Our Philosophy on Fair and Reasonable Medical Pricing

  
  

1. Medical Fees and the Insurance System in Japan

In conclusion, when foreign tourists receive medical care at medical institutions in Japan, all medical expenses are borne 100% by the patient.

Japan’s healthcare system is based on a universal public health insurance model that applies only to residents who are enrolled in Japan’s public insurance programs. Short-term visitors such as tourists or business travelers are not eligible to join this system.

As a result, all medical services provided to foreign travelers—including consultations, examinations, treatments, and medications—are classified as uninsured medical care (private or self-pay treatment).

Importantly, the medical care provided to foreign travelers is medically equivalent to the care Japanese patients receive under the public insurance system.

Foreign patients are not receiving “special” or “different” treatment. The difference lies solely in the payment structure, not in medical quality or standards.

For Japanese residents, 70–90% of medical costs are covered by public insurance, leaving only 10–30% as out-of-pocket expenses. 

Foreign travelers, however, do not receive this public subsidy and must pay the full cost themselves.

In Japan, fees for insured medical services are strictly regulated by the government under a nationwide fee schedule. However, uninsured medical services are not subject to such price controls. 

Medical institutions therefore set fees based on actual operating costs, including personnel expenses, facility maintenance, and administrative operations.

When providing care to foreign patients, additional resources may also be required, such as:

• English-speaking medical staff

• Professional medical interpreters

• Multilingual medical documentation

• Administrative coordination with overseas insurance companies

• Risk management for potential non-payment

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These factors can cause medical fees for foreign travelers to appear higher than expected.

Summary

The reason foreign travelers may perceive medical costs in Japan as high is not due to improper billing or lack of transparency, but rather due to fundamental differences in healthcare systems and insurance eligibility.

Foreign travelers receive Japan’s high-standard medical care without public insurance subsidies.

For further information, please refer to official Japanese government resources on medical insurance for foreign visitors and residents.

4. JICA’s Fees, Services, and Medical Cost Examples

🩺 Service Overview

Japan International Clinic Alliance (JICA) provides 24/7, year-round emergency medical support and hotel/home visit services for travelers staying primarily in the Kansai and Okinawa regions, with planned expansion to Hokkaido and Tokyo.

Our goal is to ensure that travelers can access Japanese medical care anytime—at hotels, private accommodations, remote areas, or islands—even at night, on weekends, or during holidays. 

Key Features

• Registered nurses visit the patient’s accommodation

• Licensed physicians conduct consultations via telemedicine

• Prescribed medications delivered directly when necessary

• Medical support available in remote and island regions

• Official medical translation support in up to 20 languages

  
  

💡 Three Key Benefits That Ease Patient Concerns

1. Full Insurance Claim Support

JICA issues an official medical receipt (“Recept”) that includes all information required for insurance reimbursement. 

Unlike standard hospital receipts, it is specifically designed to facilitate overseas travel insurance claims.

2. Cashless & Credit Card Payments

While many medical institutions in Japan still require cash payments, JICA supports credit card payments, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of cash.

3. Care Completed Without Leaving Your Room

We remove the burden of traveling to a hospital, waiting times, and language barriers. Our integrated support—nurse visit, online doctor consultation, and medication delivery—allows patients to receive care comfortably at their accommodation.

Pricing

• Base Visit Fee: from USD 650(Minimum daytime fee for nurse dispatch + online medical consultation)

Additional charges may apply depending on the patient’s condition and treatment:

• Nighttime / weekend / holiday surcharges

• Area-based transportation or remote location fees

• Examination and medication costs

• Documentation fees (e.g., insurance medical certificates)

Please refer to our official website for detailed pricing and area-based transportation fees.

4.Our Philosophy on Fair and Reasonable Medical Fees

1. Alignment with Market Standards

JICA’s fees are set in reference to the general pricing range of international clinics in Japan and do not significantly deviate from market standards. Since foreign travelers are not covered by Japan’s public insurance, services are inevitably provided as private medical care.

2. Ensuring Safety and Medical Quality

Our pricing structure supports:

• Proper staffing and clinical management by licensed physicians and nurses

• Continuous readiness for emergencies, nighttime, and after-hours care

• Multilingual support, medical interpretation, coordination, and safety management

These services exceed the operational scope of standard insured care and must be reflected in pricing.

3. Transparency and Patient Support

We strive to reduce patient anxiety by:

• Explaining estimated costs and fee structures in advance whenever possible

• Clearly communicating any potential additional charges

• Supporting insurance documentation and reimbursement procedures

• Responding to post-treatment billing inquiries

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Conclusion

For these reasons, we believe that our medical service fees are reasonable, market-aligned, and designed to ensure patient safety, medical quality, transparency, and trust.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this statement.

We sincerely hope you enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Japan.