MC Plus Material – 07_Overview of the FY2026 Medical Fee Revision 7. Functional Differentiation and Strengthening of Outpatient Medical Care, etc. Page 5 – Center for Health Policy Information

Key News Points

The overview of the FY2026 medical fee revision, particularly the “Functional Differentiation and Strengthening of Outpatient Medical Care, etc.” from the Center for Health Policy Information’s materials (Page 5), suggests key considerations for medical M&A and business succession. These include mid-to-long-term management and succession strategies that consider the medical fee revision cycle, economies of scale through group participation (maintaining facility standards, distributing investment costs), and leveraging tax benefits by transitioning to specific medical corporations or social medical corporations.

Perspective from the M&A Medical Editorial Department

The FY2026 medical fee revision’s focus on “Functional Differentiation and Strengthening of Outpatient Medical Care, etc.” has the potential to impact not just fee schedules but the very management structure of medical institutions. Specifically, concrete measures for functional differentiation and strengthening are expected to further clarify ward functions such as highly acute, acute, recovery, and chronic care, as well as roles within the community-based integrated care system. This presents an opportunity for small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics to redefine their positioning and fundamentally review their future management strategies, and consequently, their business succession plans. For instance, by specializing in specific functions, they can enhance expertise and maintain or improve their medical fee evaluations, while for other functions, they may need to consider collaboration with nearby medical institutions or functional consolidation through M&A. Grouping to maintain facility standards and distribute investment costs can be an effective option not only for cost reduction but also for maintaining and improving the quality of medical care. Comprehensive consideration, including the utilization of tax schemes, is essential in this revision cycle.

Points Indicated by This News

• The differentiation and strengthening of outpatient functions will directly impact the management strategies and business succession plans of small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics.
• Clarification of ward functions and redefinition of roles in the community-based integrated care system will necessitate a review of a facility’s positioning.
• Grouping may contribute to enhancing specialization and improving quality by maintaining facility standards and distributing investment costs.
• Utilizing tax schemes, including transitions to specific medical corporations or social medical corporations, can broaden management and succession options.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• What specific “differentiation and strengthening” of outpatient functions should our facility aim for?
• How can we specifically proceed with functional division and collaboration with nearby medical institutions?
• To what extent can tax benefits from grouping or corporate transitions be expected based on our facility’s size and situation?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

The trends in the FY2026 medical fee revision, especially regarding the differentiation and strengthening of outpatient functions, may significantly impact your institution’s future management strategy and business succession. This is a good opportunity to re-evaluate your institution’s strengths and weaknesses and consider the optimal succession scheme (M&A, grouping, corporate transition, etc.) in light of the revision details. Identifying your institution’s role in the future healthcare provision system and consulting with experts early on can lead to succession under more favorable terms and the establishment of a sustainable management foundation.

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.) supports the business succession of medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics on a completely success fee basis as an M&A support institution certified by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. Consultations are accepted with strict confidentiality. Free consultation here