[Medical Fee Revision] Interpretation of Doubts (Part 4), Regarding Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement, etc. – PT-OT

News Highlights

The interpretation of doubts regarding the FY2026 medical fee revision (Part 4) has been released, with particular details provided on the “Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement.” This revision serves as specific guidelines for healthcare institutions to strengthen information collaboration and build a patient-centered medical care delivery system. Management and succession strategies that consider the revision cycle, dispersion of equipment investment burdens through economies of scale, and utilization of tax schemes including transitions to specific medical corporations and social medical corporations are emerging as essential points for the sustainable growth of healthcare institutions.

M&A Medical Editorial Department’s Perspective

The detailed Q&A regarding the interpretation of doubts, especially concerning the “Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement,” strongly reflects the government’s policy to promote regional medical collaboration. It is not merely about meeting the enhancement requirements; the development and strengthening of information sharing infrastructure with collaborating healthcare institutions (such as nearby clinics and long-term care facilities) will determine the future competitiveness of healthcare institutions. From an M&A perspective, healthcare institutions where the collaborative system is being smoothly established or has already been established can gain an advantage in intra-group collaboration after business succession. Conversely, healthcare institutions where the establishment of a collaborative system is lagging may face difficulties in continuing their business independently. This serves as an opportunity to more concretely consider options such as expanding scale through M&A or improving efficiency through strengthened information collaboration within a group.

Points Indicated by This News

• The detailing of the Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement suggests a move into the concrete execution phase of strengthening regional collaboration.
• The status of the collaborative system’s development can serve as an evaluation criterion for creating intra-group synergy after M&A.
• The necessity for mid-to-long-term business succession and M&A strategies linked to the medical fee revision cycle is increasing.
• Participation in a group that can enjoy economies of scale and disperse equipment investment burdens serves as an alternative to independent management.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• What level of system investment is necessary to meet the calculation requirements for the Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement?
• What technical and operational challenges are anticipated in building an information collaboration infrastructure with collaborating clinics and long-term care facilities?
• If our institution considers M&A, to what extent will the strength of the collaborative system be evaluated by the acquiring party?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

The detailed explanation of the “Electronic Medical Information and Referral System Maintenance Enhancement” in this medical fee revision suggests the difficulty for healthcare institutions to achieve sustainable growth independently. If you are concerned about strengthening regional collaboration, IT investment, or the increase in future equipment investment burdens, this may be a good opportunity to concretely consider options such as joining a group through M&A or business succession. Consider your institution’s current situation and future management strategy, and consider consulting with an expert.

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