[Paper/Press release] A new paper on changes in referral rates after the mandate of charging for non-referral first visits has been published

This study investigated the changes in referral rates after the mandate to charge an additional fee for non-referral first visits at higher-level hospitals.

• Referral rates increased by 4–5% in Regional Medical Care Support Hospitals with 400 or more beds when mandated.
• There was no significant change in the Special Functioning Hospitals and Regional Medical Care Support Hospitals with 200–300 beds.

These results suggested that functional differentiation had progressed in Regional Medical Care Support Hospitals with 400 or more beds.

To access the press release:

https://www.jihs.go.jp/content4/pressrelease/2025/20251205084043.html

To access the paper: