Medical Fee Schedule Revised: Addressing Wage Increases for Healthcare Workers and Rising Prices; Initial Consultation Fee Up ¥57 for 30% Co

News Highlights

The medical fee schedule was revised on June 1, 2026. The primary objectives of this revision are to address wage increases for healthcare workers and rising prices. Specifically, for patients with a 30% co-payment, the initial consultation fee will be increased by 57 yen. Furthermore, the revision aims to provide greater flexibility in medical services, such as allowing “Sleep Disorders” to be used as a medical specialty name.

M&A Medical Editorial Department’s Perspective

The 57 yen increase in the initial consultation fee from this medical fee schedule revision may seem minor to individual medical institutions. However, the underlying rationale of “addressing wage increases for healthcare workers and rising prices” should serve as a catalyst for owners of small and medium-sized medical institutions, who are the backbone of regional healthcare, to seriously consider business succession and M&A. Rising labor costs directly impact profitability, especially for clinics in rural areas where securing specialized professionals is difficult, or those without a sufficient revenue base. In a situation where the growth in medical fees cannot keep pace with the increase in labor costs, joining a group that can leverage economies of scale or pursuing M&A for operational efficiency can be realistic options for maintaining a sustainable healthcare delivery system. This revision has once again highlighted the necessity of such measures.

Points Raised by This News

• The medical fee schedule revision, aimed at addressing wage increases and rising prices, directly impacts the increased labor and operational costs for small and medium-sized medical institutions.
• The 57 yen increase in the initial consultation fee is presumed to have a limited effect on actual business improvement.
• The addition of “Sleep Disorders” as a medical specialty name suggests a strategy of specialization and differentiation in specific fields.
• To maintain the healthcare delivery system, it is essential to consider business succession and M&A in conjunction with the medical fee schedule revision cycle.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• Is the 57 yen increase in the initial consultation fee sufficient as a source for staff wage increases?
• What types of medical institutions would benefit from the addition of “Sleep Disorders” as a medical specialty name?
• How will the impact of rising prices on business operations continue to affect the industry?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

Medical institution owners who feel that addressing labor costs and rising prices is a particular challenge due to this medical fee schedule revision are advised to share their current business analysis and future business succession plans with experts. By anticipating changes in the revenue structure, expanding scale through M&A or joining a group may lead to the maintenance of a sustainable regional healthcare delivery system. Early consultation can lead to the discovery of more advantageous options.

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. Consultations are accepted with strict confidentiality. Free consultation here.