32nd Edition: Navigating the Complexities of Acute Care Hospital Options in the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Medical Fee Revision – Choosing Between New Acute Care Hospital A, B, and Comprehensive Inpatient Fees – PwC

The introduction of "Acute Care Hospital A & B" and the option of "Comprehensive Inpatient Fees" in the FY2026 medical fee revision strongly prompts Japanese acute care hospitals to undergofunctional reorganization and a fundamental review of management strategies.This is not merely a change in reimbursement rates, but a question of each hospital's future positioning. It is a powerful trigger for accelerating management decisions.

In the context of medical M&A and business succession, this revisionIt is a powerful trigger for accelerating management decisions.Compliance with new facility standards and nursing staffing requirements demands significant investment and management resources, posing a considerable challenge for independent hospitals and corporations facing succession issues. Hospitals aiming for Acute Care A & B may pursue economies of scale through M&A, diversifying investment and human resource risks. Conversely, if meeting these standards proves difficult, transitioning to management centered on comprehensive inpatient fees and divesting or partnering with groups offering different medical functions may be a realistic approach.

Faced with these increasingly complex options, medical institution managers shouldre-evaluate their institution's strengths and weaknesses and formulate a clear strategy for 2026 and beyond at an early stage.For those facing succession issues, business succession through M&A can be seen as an opportunity to stabilize management and ensure a sustainable healthcare delivery system.The complexity highlighted by PwC simultaneously serves as an impetus for strategic reorganization.will serve as an impetus for strategic reorganization.