[Explanation] Medical Fee Increase Starts Today… What About Patient Burden? Outpatient Initial Visit Fee Up by 57 Yen Amidst Worsening Hospital Finances… Over 70% of Medical Institutions in the Red – livedoor News

News Highlights

Starting June 1, 2026, medical fees will be increased, with the outpatient initial visit fee rising by 57 yen. The background to this is a severe deterioration in finances, with over 70% of medical institutions operating at a loss. This situation underscores the importance of early consultation for business succession and M&A of medical institutions. By consulting with experts at the first sign of deteriorating current ratios or consecutive losses, it may be possible to maximize options such as negotiating the release of personal guarantees and ensuring the continuation of regional medical services and staff employment.

Perspective from M&A Medical Editorial Department

This revision of medical fees, particularly the 57-yen increase in the outpatient initial visit fee, directly impacts the revenue structure of medical institutions. However, the fact pointed out in the news that “over 70% of medical institutions are in the red” suggests that a simple increase in medical fees will not fundamentally improve their financial health. Especially for single-specialty clinics and small to medium-sized hospitals in rural areas, securing profits has already been a struggle due to a combination of factors such as rising labor costs, increased equipment investment, and declining patient numbers. In this environment, M&A will increasingly be chosen not just for business expansion, but from the perspective of “business continuity” before falling into financial distress. For instance, if a clinic that plays a role in the regional comprehensive care system were to close due to a lack of successor, the impact on local residents would be immeasurable. To avoid such a situation, it is a realistic step for management to objectively grasp their institution’s financial status and consult with an M&A intermediary company early on to negotiate the release of personal guarantees, maintain staff employment, and keep the light of regional medical care from being extinguished.

Points Raised by This News

• The current situation where over 70% of medical institutions are in the red indicates a severity that cannot be addressed by medical fee revisions alone.
• The 57-yen increase in the outpatient initial visit fee is likely to have a limited impact on revenue improvement for small clinics.
• For medical institutions with significant financial deterioration, M&A can serve as a last resort for “business continuity.”
• When prioritizing the maintenance of regional medical services, succession through M&A becomes a viable option to avoid closure.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• Despite the increase in medical fees, why are many medical institutions unable to escape from operating at a loss?
• How specifically will the 57-yen increase in the outpatient initial visit fee affect patients’ out-of-pocket expenses?
• What specific M&A schemes are commonly used for the succession of hospitals and clinics experiencing financial deterioration?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

If your institution’s financial statements for the past three years show a declining operating profit margin or a worsening trend in the current ratio, we recommend consulting with an expert. In particular, if you clearly lack a successor and wish to continue contributing to regional medical care, early M&A consultation can increase the possibility of achieving business succession under more favorable terms and negotiating the release of personal guarantees. Please take this as the first step to objectively assess your current situation and explore the best path forward before reaching the option of closure.

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