Did Japan decide to charge an ambulance fee for emergency transportation? No, that's not true: Ambulances for emergencies remain free. However, starting June 1, 2024, three core hospitals in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, will collect a 7,700 yen ($51) "selected medical treatment fee" from patients with mild symptoms not requiring hospitalization. Not covered by insurance, this fee aims to encourage appropriate visits to emergency medical institutions.
The claim appeared on a video (archived here) on TikTok on January 25, 2024. It opened (translated from Japanese to English by Lead Stories staff):
Ambulance charges apply
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Fri Feb 16 14:51:39 2024 UTC)
As reported by a local newspaper in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, (archived here), Mayor Masato Takegami reiterated the details of the upcoming selective medical treatment fee system during a press conference on February 5, 2024. The system, set to start in June at the three core hospitals in Matsusaka City, will primarily involve collecting a 7,700 yen fee for selected medical treatments. This fee applies to patients with mild symptoms who are transported via emergency services but not admitted to the hospital. Takegami emphasized (as translated):
There's a lot of misunderstanding, like charging for ambulances.
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has provided detailed information (archived here) concerning selective treatments for people visiting large hospitals without a referral. Additionally, Matsusaka City has officially stated the "selected medical treatment fee" for ambulance usage at its three core hospitals on the city website (archived here). The website said the Matsusaka District Regional Fire Union documented 16,180 emergency dispatches in 2020, exerting immense pressure on emergency systems and medical services.
