Sagamihara City Introduces “High-Cost Medical Expense Direct Payment System” to Ease Financial Burden for Residents
Sagamihara City is set to implement a new system designed to alleviate the financial strain on residents facing significant medical expenses. Announced on July 31, 2025, at 3:05 PM, the “高額療養費受領委任払” (Kōgaku Ryōyō-hi Juryō Nin’i Barai), which translates to “High-Cost Medical Expense Direct Payment System” (or more accurately, “Acceptance of Assignment of High-Cost Medical Expenses”), aims to streamline the process of claiming reimbursements for medical costs exceeding a certain threshold.
This innovative system allows eligible individuals to have their out-of-pocket medical expenses capped at a predetermined limit, directly at the medical institution. Previously, residents often had to pay the full cost upfront and then apply for reimbursement from the city or their insurance provider. This new approach significantly reduces the immediate financial burden on patients, particularly those undergoing extensive or expensive treatments.
Key Benefits of the High-Cost Medical Expense Direct Payment System:
- Reduced Upfront Costs: The most significant advantage is that residents will no longer need to pay the full medical bill if it exceeds their co-payment limit. Instead, the city or insurance body will pay the remaining amount directly to the medical institution.
- Simplified Claim Process: By eliminating the need for individual reimbursement applications, the system simplifies the administrative process for residents, saving them time and effort.
- Improved Financial Planning: Knowing their maximum out-of-pocket expense in advance allows individuals to plan their finances more effectively, especially during challenging health periods.
- Enhanced Accessibility to Healthcare: By mitigating the financial barrier, the system aims to ensure that residents can access necessary medical treatments without undue financial worry.
How the System Works:
While specific details of the application and eligibility criteria will be made available by Sagamihara City, the core principle of the “Acceptance of Assignment” involves the patient formally assigning their right to receive the high-cost medical expense reimbursement to the medical institution. This allows the medical institution to directly receive the payment from the relevant public health insurance or social insurance system, thereby reducing the patient’s immediate financial responsibility.
To utilize this system, residents will likely need to obtain a specific certificate or approval beforehand. It is crucial for residents to consult the official Sagamihara City website or contact the relevant city departments for precise instructions on eligibility, application procedures, and any required documentation.
Sagamihara City’s proactive introduction of this “High-Cost Medical Expense Direct Payment System” underscores its commitment to supporting the health and well-being of its citizens. This initiative is expected to be a valuable resource for many, providing much-needed financial relief and ensuring that essential medical care remains accessible to all. Further details and guidance will be disseminated by the city as the implementation date approaches.
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相模原市 published ‘高額療養費受領委任払’ at 2025-07-31 15:05. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.