Japan’s Healthcare System and Its Outlook (updated: 2014 April)
www.japanmacroadvisors.com [email protected]
Executive Summary
2
A participation to public insurance system is mandatory to all residents in Japan. The prices of medical treatment and subscribed pills are regulated under the fee-for-service system. Patients directly pay 10-30% of the services they receive while insurers pay the reminder. The quality of the healthcare in Japan is considered to be high. Japan boost one of the longest life expectancy and one of the lowest infant mortality. At the same time, the system has been cost effective. Despite the recent rise, the per capita healthcare expenditure is below OECD average. However, its medical expenditure is growing fast in recent years. The total cost of public healthcare has risen from 4.9% of GDP in 1984 to 9.9% of GDP in 2011. A government study estimates that the cost will further rise by 3% to GDP by 2025, mostly due to the demographic change. While reforms are underway to restrain the rise, a rise of 2% to GDP seems inevitable, in our view.
3
Overview
Outlook
Reform Measures under discussion
Healthcare system in Japan
4
The healthcare system in Japan is characterized by two principles: 100% public insurance coverage • All residents and below must join one of the two public insurance systems regardless of
whether or not they have private health insurance.
Fee-for-Service. • In principle, all medical treatments and pills are covered under the public insurance system.
Patients pay portion of treatments and medicines (10-30% depending on age), and the rest is paid directly to medical service providers by the insurers. There is a cap on patient’s burden in all insurance systems – patients can seek reimbursement for payment above the cap.
• Fees are regulated. The government has a control over what is deemed as medical treatment and their fees .
Japanese Public Insurance System
5
There are three category in the public insurance system: The elderly over the age of 75 is covered under a universal insurance. For working age and below, they need to subscribe to either National Insurance, if they are self employed, or Employee’s Health Insurance, if they are employed.
The Latter-Stage Elderly Insurance System (14.7 million people under coverage)
National Health Insurance
(38.3 million people)
Employee Health Insurance*
(73.7 million people)
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The number of insured is as of March 31, 2012. * For simplicity, includes mutual associations for public officials and teachers.
75
20
Age
Japanese Public Insurance System
6
There are two public insurance systems for the working age: National Health Insurance and Employee’s Health Insurance. Employee’s Health Insurance
• Employers deduct insurance premium from salaries of their employees, match them, and
pay the whole premium to insurers.
• Corporations and industry associations build health insurance insures.
National Health Insurance
• Self-employed, non-salary workers, non-workers are covered by the National Insurance.
Separate System for the Elder
7
In 2008, “Medical Care System for the Latter-Stage Elderly” was established for medical needs for those Age 75+. • Those age 75 and above will pay 10% of fees for medical services, while their premium is
automatically deducted from the pension money they receive from the government.
• Additional premium paid by those between Age 65 to 74 will be set aside by insurers for the Age 75 and above. EHI and NHI also pay some money annually to Age 75+.
• In principle, summarizing, 50% is be funded by the national government, 10% by the elderly, and 40% by the working age population.
A measure to levy additional insurance premium for high income earning elderly is under consideration. • This change for the elderly could raise 230 billion yen for the public insurance system.
8
Infant Mortality Rate (deaths per 1000 live births)
Quality of Japan’s healthcare is Japan’s Infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world, 2.3 per 1000 live births.
Infant Mortality Rate
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
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¹
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
9
Life Expectancy (Total population at birth)
Japan’s life expectancy is one of the longest in the world. It rose to 83 years approx. in 2011 from 72 years in 1970.
Life Expectancy at Birth
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
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n F
ed.
Ind
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2011 1970
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
Health Expenditure
10
Japan’s health care system seem cost-effective. Its healthcare expenditure per capita is USD 3,213 (purchase power parity), slightly below the OECD average of USD 3,322.
Health Expenditure Per Capita, 2011 (or nearest year)
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
US
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Health Expenditure
11
In terms of % GDP, Japan is on a par with the OECD average. (health and long term care combined)
Health Expenditure as % GDP, 2011 (or nearest year)
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
20.0%
Un
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Long-term care
Health
12
Current Status
Outlook
Measures
Medical Expenditure Growth
13
The per capita medical expenditure is increasing as the society ages. Despite the narrower coverage after 2007, the medical expenditure for the elderly continues to raise as a portion of the total expenditure.
Source: (left) Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. National Institute of Population and Social Security Research. (right) Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. “Annual Health, Labour and Welfare Report 2012-2013”
Health Expenditure Per Capita and % Age 65+ Population
-
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
250.00
300.00
350.00
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
19
54
19
57
19
60
19
63
19
66
19
69
19
72
19
75
19
78
19
81
19
84
19
87
19
90
19
93
19
96
19
99
20
02
20
05
20
08
20
11
Population % 65+
Per Capita
Health Expenditure Used by the Elderly (%)
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
2003-2007 Coverage Change: Age 70+ ⇒ Age 75+
Healthcare Expenditure
14
Currently, the government pays approximately 40% of the medical expenditure. Their burden is expected to continue increasing as the total expenditure grows.
Government, 38.4%
Employers, 20.2%
Employees, 28.4%
Patients, 12.3%
Others , 0.7%
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. *Data is for FY2011. ** From [White Paper 2013]
Medical Expenditure by Payers* Payment by the National Government**
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
19
80
19
82
19
84
19
86
19
88
19
90
19
92
19
94
19
96
19
98
20
00
20
02
20
04
(JPY bn)
Healthcare Expenditure Forecast
15
Japan’s healthcare expenditure (medical and long term care combined) has been increasing.
Healthcare Expenditure : Historical and Forecast (Medical and Nursing Expenditure Combined)
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The figure includes nursing expenditure after 2000. Forecast is from the Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Tax. Forecasts made in March 2012, included in the final report.
(JPY trn)
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
19
84
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
89
19
90
19
91
19
92
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93
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94
19
95
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96
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19
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20
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20
01
20
02
20
03
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20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
15
20
20
20
25
Forecast
Healthcare Expenditure Forecast
16
The healthcare expenditure (medical plus nursing) is expected to increase both in nominal numbers and as a percentage of GDP. 40% of the increase (in amount) is from nursing.
Source: The Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Tax. Forecasts made in March 2012, included in the final report.
Healthcare Expenditure: Historical and Forecast (Medical and Nursing Expenditure Combined)
(JPY trn)
2011 2012 2015 2020 2025
GDP 484.0 479.6 509.8 558.0 610.6
Medical Expenditure 39.0 35.1 39.5 46.9 54.0
Elderly Nursing Expenditure 9.0 8.4 10.5 14.9 19.8
Total as % GDP 9.9% 9.1% 9.8% 11.1% 12.1%
Healthcare Expenditure Forecast
17
Even if only the cost-cutting measures are taken, the total expenditure is expected to increase by 1.5% of GDP.
Source: The Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Tax. Forecasts made in March 2012, included in the final report.
Healthcare Expenditure: Historical and Forecast (Medical and Nursing Expenditure Combined)
2015 2025
As Is Reformed As Is Reformed
Health Expenditure 39.1 39.5 53.3 54.0
Elderly Nursing Expenditure 9.9 10.5 16.4 19.8
Impact of Reform 0.2% 0.7%
0.5% 2.1%
Improving in-hospital care 1.5 6.5
Transferring in-hospital patients to out-hospital 0.3 1.1
Improving nursing care 0.9 5.3
-0.3% -1.4%
Shortening in-hospital stay 1.1- 5.9-
Decreasing hospital visits 0.3- 1.5-
Increasing home-care 0.2- 0.8-
Prevention 0.1- 0.6-
1.0 4.10
Impact as
% of GDP
Impact as
% of GDP
(JPY trn)
Medical Expenditure Growth
18
The speed of Japan’s health expenditure increase outpaces other countries.
Annual Average Growth Rate of Per Capita Health Expenditure 2000-2011
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
-14.0%
-12.0%
-10.0%
-8.0%
-6.0%
-4.0%
-2.0%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
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19
Current Status
Outlook
Measures
Deterrence of Unnecessary Access
20
On average, a Japanese visits doctors 13 times per year. Introduction of general practitioners (GPs) as gatekeeper may be able to reduce the burden of doctors, and hence decrease the total number of visits.
Number of Annual Doctor Consultation Per Capita 2011
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
Ko
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Deterrence of Unnecessary Access
21
Approximately 70% is spent on services at hospitals and clinic.
In Patient , 37.3%
Out Parient , 34.8%
Dental, 6.9%
Medicine, 17.2%
Hospital Living Cost,
2.1%
Nurse Visits, 0.2%
Aftercare, 1.5%
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Data is for FY2011.
Health Expenditure by Usage
Deterrence of Unnecessary Access
22
Japanese in-patients tend to stay in hospitals for a longer period of time than those in other OECD countries. If then can stay at home under care of local community and practitioners, the expenditure may decrease.
Average Length of Stay in Hospital 2011
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
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Separate System for the Elder
23
In 2008, “Medical Care System for the Latter-Stage Elderly” was established for medical needs for those Age 75+. • Those age 75 and above will pay 10% of fees for medical services, while their premium is
automatically deducted from the pension money they receive from the government.
• Additional premium paid by those between Age 65 to 74 will be set aside by insurers for the Age 75 and above. EHI and NHI also pay some money annually to Age 75+.
• In principle, summarizing, 50% is be funded by the national government, 10% by the elderly, and 40% by the working age population.
A measure to levy additional insurance premium for high income earning elderly is under consideration. • This change for the elderly could raise 230 billion yen for the public insurance system.
Generics and Prevention
24
More use of generics will help Japan contain medical costs. Generics use in Japan is about half of the OECD average in value and volume. Prevention is also likely to help minimize the number of patients with adult diseases that require frequent and continuous services.
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
By Value By Volume
OECD19 Average
Japan
Share of Generics in Total Pharmaceutical Market 2011
Source: OECD “Health at Glance 2013.”
Mixed Treatment
25
Patients may become allowed to be treated under the insurance and out of their own pocket simultaneously. This will increase the welfare of patients by choice, while this may potentially save the government some money. • The original plan was to allow mixed treatment so that patients of difficult disease will have
more options. However, recently, the ministry is showing unwillingness to allow it.
• As a compromise, it is likely that a new rule will be set up regarding the mixed treatment. • Written proposal describing different treatment options for patients must be
submitted by doctors to patients. • Medical moral hazard (i.e. doctors suggesting unnecessary treatments) must be
avoided.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information herein is not intended to be an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of
an offer to buy or sell, any securities and including any expression of opinion, has been obtained from or is based
upon sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness although Japan Macro
Advisors (“JMA”) believe it to be clear, fair and not misleading. Each author of this report is not permitted to trade
in or hold any of the investments or related investments which are the subject of this document. The views of JMA
reflected in this document may change without notice. To the maximum extent possible at law, JMA does not
accept any liability whatsoever arising from the use of the material or information contained herein. This research
document is not intended for use by or targeted at retail customers. Should a retail customer obtain a copy of this
report they should not base their investment decisions solely on the basis of this document but must seek
independent financial advice.
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