(1) PURPOSE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The objective of this Law is to provide to workers and their dependents insurance benefits for their illnesses, injuries not due to occupational causes in the case of workers, or deaths or childbearing due to non-occupational causes, thereby contributing to stabilization of life and improvement of public welfare

(2) OUTLINE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The Law prescribes definitions of the insured and insurer, insurance benefits and a method of expenses burdened including the concept of health insurance.

(3) CABINET ORDER AND MINISTERIAL ORDINANCES
Enforcement Order of the Health Insurance Law
Enforcement Regulations of the Health Insurance Law
Regulations for Medical Care Performed by Insurance Medical Care Facility and Insurance Doctor Care
Regulations for Medical Care Performed by Insurance Pharmacy and Insurance Pharmacist Care
Cabinet Order for Transitional Measures Regarding Implementation of the Amendment to the Health Insurance Law, etc.

(4) OUTLINE OF THE CONTROL
1) Items Covered
Medical and pharmaceutical products (limited to medical and pharmaceutical products already obtained permission for approval as medical and pharmaceutical products in conformity with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law)

2) Outline of Specifications, Standards and Inspections, etc.
i. Drug Price Standards
The drug price standards is an itemized table of the medical and pharmaceutical products which can be used in insurance medical care facilities, and constitutes the base for calculating the expenses to be claimed by the insurance medical care facility from the insurer with regards to the medical and pharmaceutical products which are used in insurance medical care.
In order to reflect market prices, generally the drug price standards are to be thoroughly revised once every two years based upon a survey on drug prices. Accepting an advisory proposition made in 1987 by the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, it is scheduled that those medical and pharmaceutical products newly approved are to be listed periodically.

ii. Procedure for Application
Manufacturers of drugs wishing their products to be listed up in the drug price standards must apply to the Ministry of Health and Welfare after having obtained the required approval and permission on the drugs intended to be listed in conformity with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. The Ministry publishes this list in the Official Gazette after consulting with the related academic organizations.

(5) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RECENT AMENDMENT
The Amendment in October, 2002 includes updating of provided benefits (along with partial revisions on premium collection structure) and insurance premiums.

(6) REFERENCE INFORMATION
(Liaison Office for the Further Information)
Medical Economics Division, Health Insurance Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare
Tel: 03-3591-7649 http://www.mhlw.go.jp