[Medical Fee] Electronic Health Information Exchange Surcharge Calculable as Basic Function Even After Expansion of Electronic Prescriptions – Health Policy Information Center

News Highlights

In the 2026 medical fee revision, the Electronic Health Information Exchange Surcharge is expected to be calculable as a basic function even after the expansion of electronic prescriptions. This will reduce the risk of changes in calculation requirements for medical institutions continuing their information exchange system investments. The news highlights suggest M&A and business succession points such as preparation for medical fee revisions, economies of scale, and utilization of tax schemes.

M&A Medical Editorial Department’s Perspective

The decision not to change the calculation requirements for the “Electronic Health Information Exchange Surcharge” in this medical fee revision indicates the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s intention to maintain incentives for DX promotion in medical institutions amidst the major trend of electronic prescription adoption. In particular, this surcharge can be a crucial source of funding for system investment recovery and strengthening collaboration with other medical institutions, especially for small and medium-sized medical institutions and clinics aiming to participate in the community-based integrated care system. Strategies that leverage the economies of scale through group formation to diversify future medical fee revision risks while building an advanced information exchange system will likely become more realistic options when considering M&A. For example, by sharing and distributing the initial investment burden for electronic health record systems and information exchange platforms among multiple facilities, it is expected that the financial burden on individual medical institutions will be reduced, and the high-quality medical provision system will be maintained and strengthened.

Points Indicated by This News

• Continuation of the calculability of the Electronic Health Information Exchange Surcharge means maintaining incentives for DX investment.
• Securing funding for information exchange is emphasized in conjunction with the spread of electronic prescriptions.
• Potential to promote DX and strengthen regional collaboration for small and medium-sized medical institutions.
• Distribution of system investment burden through group formation contributes to management stability.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• What specific information exchange is envisioned with the spread of electronic prescriptions?
• Is there a possibility that the calculation requirements for the Electronic Health Information Exchange Surcharge will change in the future?
• If grouped, to what extent can the costs of introducing and operating information exchange systems be reduced?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

Medical institution managers who are concerned about their own information exchange system and future system investment plans, considering the spread of electronic prescriptions and trends in medical fee revisions, may find it worthwhile to consider the possibility of group formation or collaboration through M&A. Especially if facing challenges such as initial investment, ongoing maintenance costs, and securing personnel, consulting with experts can reveal concrete paths to both stabilize management and improve the quality of medical care.

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