International Medical Coordination Services
Guideline

1st Edition
February 2023

一般社団法人 国際メディカル・コーディネート事業者協会
International Medical coordination companies Association Japan (JIMCA)

0

Table of Contents
1. Purpose and Background of Developing the Guideline
2. Scope of Application of the Guideline
3. How to Maintain the Quality of International Medical Coordination Services
4. Matters to Be Complied with by International Medical Coordination Companies and Its
Implementation System
5. Contents of Record and Evidence to Be Kept and Its Disclosure System
6. Relevant Laws and Systems
7. Revision of the Guideline
8. References8-1. Relevant Laws and Systems
8-2. Examples of “Matters to Be Complied with and Its Implementation System”

11. Purpose and Background of Developing the Guideline
1-1. Purpose and Background
Foreign visitors to Japan with purpose of visiting medical institutions 1 in Japan needdetailed preparation, considering Japanese systems and laws, including Japanese healthcare systems, so that they can get medical services safely at medical institutions in Japan.
Foreign visitors need services that provide medical services2 as following: checking medical
information of patients 3 , preliminary consultation with medical institutions in Japan,
communicating rules about staying in Japan to patients in advance, getting a guarantor for avisa, making an appointment with medical institutions, checking payment for medical
expenses, providing interpreting and translation services, general arrangement for staying inJapan, a contact point/person for follow-up after patients return to their own country fromJapan. Therefore, international medical coordination companies4 (hereinafter referred to as“medical coordination company”) which cooperate with medical institutions and provide these
services (hereinafter referred to as “International Medical Coordination Services” 5 ) areindispensable.
The number of medical coordination companies has been on the rise since the launch of
the Visa for Medical Stay in 2012 6 . However, each medical coordination company has

1 Medical

Institution: Japanese medical institutions, which provide medical services topatients.
2 Medical services: Medical practices by medical institutions and accompanying services,such as medical treatment, medical checkup, physical examination, medical examination,
consultation, second opinion and prescription.
3 Patient：A user of International Medical Coordination Services, i.e. foreign visitors to Japan,
who visit medical institutions in Japan, or whose purpose of coming to Japan is visiting
medical institutions without taking out public health insurance. Or patients and persons
concerned who medical coordination companies make a contact with and an accompanying
person of patients.
4 International medical coordination companies: Companies or persons that provide medical
coordination services to patients.
5 International Medical Coordination Services: Non-medical services provided to patients,
such as checking medical information of patients, preliminary consultation with medical
institutions in Japan, communicating rules about staying in Japan to patients in advance,
getting a guarantor for a visa, making an appointment with medical institutions, checking
payment for medical expenses, providing interpreting and translation services, generalarrangement for staying in Japan, a contact point/person for follow-up after patients return to
own country from Japan.
6 The number of registered guarantors for Visa for Medical Stay: A list of 156 companies
registered by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (registered guarantors (medical
coordinators etc.): Updated on February 1st, 2023) and 64 companies registered by Japan
Tourism Agency (registered guarantors (registered travel agencies): Updated on September
7th, 2022).
7
The summary report of the Study Group on the International Expansion of the Health andMedical-related Industries (Inbound).
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/healthcare/iryou/downloadfiles/kenkoiryou_inbound.pdf

2

established its own standard, thus, services from medical coordination companies need to
be standardized in order not to cause any trouble. Moreover, along with necessity of
establishing an industry association by medical coordination companies and rise ofrecognition of necessity of mutual information exchanges regarding the best practice and risk
management⁷, some issues have often been pointed out regarding which company can betrusted by patients and medical institutions.
As medical coordination companies, each company sets its own rule since there is no
standard used in the industry. Therefore, medical coordination companies have been
uncertain whether they are conducting appropriate business, and it has been hard forpatients and medical institutions to choose a medical coordination company, judging from thequality of their services fairly. This is why “International Medical Coordination Companies
Association Japan (JIMCA)” (hereinafter referred to as “association”) is established by
medical coordination companies, and this guideline was developed.
It should be noted that since developing this guideline was coincided with COVID-19
pandemic, this guideline was designed to be the basic accepted in the industry, considering
varied border measures depending on the situation. Through experiences that patients wereable to visit Japan because a visa for Medical Stay was issued humanely even under thetight border restrictions, we had an opportunity to reaffirm significance and importance of theguideline in this industry.
1-2. Features of International Medical Coordination Services
International Medical Coordination Services are necessary in order for patients to get
medical services in Japan safely and properly, before patients come to Japan, during patients’
stay in Japan and after patients return home. International Medical Coordination Services
have features as following.
・Patient consider if Japan can be the destination based on medical services provided by
medical institutions (See Table 1). Therefore, it is necessary that medical coordinationcompanies provide services to patients with close corporation with medical institutions.

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Table 1 Patient consider if Japan can be the destination.

・Services are basically provided by medical coordinate companies towards patients andgenerally provided with medical services by medical institutions. In some foreign countries,
there are many cases where medical institutions themselves provide International Medical
Coordination Services, however, in Japan, providing services is generally offered by medical
coordinate companies. (See Table. 2)
Table 2 Differences between medical institutions overseas, where they receive many patientsfrom overseas, and medical institutions in Japan

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(Some medical institutions overseas are business corporations from which can reinvest
retained earnings into not only medical practices but also its services themselves. However,
medical institutions in Japan can reinvest only in medical practices, therefore, is it hard for
medical institutions to spend their budget to persons responsible for dealing with people fromoverseas. That is why medical coordination companies take this duty. ）・International Medical Coordination Services contain various elements such as checking
medical information of patients, preliminary consultation with medical institutions in Japan,
communicating rules about staying in Japan to patients, getting a guarantor for a visa, making
an appointment with medical institutions, checking payment for medical expenses, providing
interpreting and translation services, general arrangement for staying in Japan, contact
point/person for follow-up after patients return to own country from Japan(See Table 3).
Table 3 Various Elements in International Medical Coordination Services

・There are some cases where agents8 get involved in between medical coordinationcompanies and patients until International Medical Coordination Services are provided.
However, International Medical Coordination Services are generally provided to patients
directly. Moreover, communication between medical institutions and patients is conducted
through medical coordinate companies (See Table 4).

8Agents: Companies or persons who are not medical coordination companies, and refer andselect services by medical coordination companies for patients.
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Table 4 International Medical Coordination Services are provided to patients directly

1-3. Purpose
The main purpose of developing this guideline is to provide medical services by medical
institutions smoothly and in order for patients to get medical examination and treatment safely,
by improving the quality of International Medical Coordination Services. Moreover, as a resultof this, better medical coordination companies will be selected by patients and medical
institutions and build a trusting relationship with relevant government ministries and agencies,and related associations. It is expected that this will lead to healthy development in an entire
industry.
2. Scope of Application of the Guideline
This guideline applies to medical coordination companies (See Table 5). International
Medical Coordination Services by medical coordination companies are provided to patients,
therefore, users of services are patients. On the other hand, a close cooperative relationshipbetween medical institutions and medical coordination companies is required.
In some cases, agents, who refer or select services by medical coordination companies,
can be involved in between patients and medical coordination companies or medical
institutions and medical coordination companies.
Table 5 Scope of Application of the Guideline

3. How to Maintain the Quality of International Medical Coordination Services
To maintain the quality of International Medical Coordination Services, our association
makes a self-declaration as an industry association based on “The Way How Health Care
Service Guidelines Should Be” specified by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
6Complying with the guideline is eligibility to become a regular member of our association. It
is required for a semi-member and an individual member who are involved in International
Medical Coordination Services to comply with the guideline.
In the future, we will develop a certification system and aim to establish a structure in which
each medical coordination company can maintain the quality of services with the certification
by our association.
4. Matters to Be Complied with by International Medical Coordination Companies and Its
Implementation System
Matters to be complied with by medical coordination companies and its implementation
system shall be developed concretely by each medical coordination company from threepoints of view: safe medical support, legal compliance, and credibility. Examples of “Matters
to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System” each medical coordination company shalldevelop are shown in 8. “Reference” 8-2. Moreover, if agents get involved in, communicationand the extent of responsibility shall be sufficiently noted.
4-1. Developing Matters to Be Complied with
When medical coordination companies provide services complying with the guideline, theyshall develop matters to be complied with and its implementation system from three pointsof view: safe medical support, legal compliance, and credibility.
Matters to be complied with and its implementation system shall be developed along withprocesses of accepting patients (before patients come to Japan, during patients’ stay inJapan and after patients return home). Items pertinent to deal with relevant government
ministries and agencies, and related associations and improve services of medical
coordination companies themselves are also included.
4-2. Agents
In some cases, agents who refer and select services by medical coordination companies
to patients can be involved in. If agents get involved in, medical coordination companies shallspecify the extent of responsibility of agents and pay enough attention to them by confirming
in writing if necessary, so that agents will not provide wrong information to patients.
5. Contents of Record and Evidence to Be Kept and Its Disclosure System
Medical coordination companies shall keep record and evidence demonstrating objectively
the quality of services in case they need to be disclosed.
5-1. Record and Evidence Showing Safety of Medical Coordination Companies
・ Not an antisocial individual or group
・ Submit a notification of registration of a corporation or opening of an individual
business, and publish a business’s overview on the website and so forth.
・ Have an appropriate service system, such as maintaining registration as a registeredguarantor for Visa for Medical Stay.
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・ Never received a disposition by public authorities, such as a regulatory body, orcommitted legal violation.
5-2. Record and Evidence Showing Safety of International Medical Coordination Services
・ Record and Evidence showing interaction and agreements with patients・ Record and Evidence showing interaction and agreements with medical institutions
・ Required documents pertinent to systems
6. Relevant Laws and Systems
Laws and systems to be complied with when medical coordination companies provide
International Medical Coordination Services are shown at 8. “Reference” 8-1 of this guideline
as relevant laws which should be particularly noted based on concrete problematic cases.
However, medical coordination companies shall note that there are some other laws andsystems to be complied with which are not shown in this guideline and, in case that patientsand agents live or locate overseas, laws in the country and region may be applied.
7. Revision of the Guideline
The guideline shall be reviewed every two years based on the situation as following andrevised if necessary.
・ At the launch of a certification system by our association
・ When any changes of assumed agents and users, or needs changes of agents andusers are confirmed.
・ When there are any changes in relevant laws
・ When services by medical coordination companies require new evidence data
・ When safety of medical services and its effects of prevention and health are re-verified.
・ When there is a possibility of providing new medical services
・ When matters specified in this guideline are deemed to be necessary to be revised
depending on status of medical coordination companies’ compliance・ In other cases, when there are deemed to be necessary to be revised the guideline
depending on changes in socio-economic conditions, etc.

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8. References8-1. Relevant Laws and Systems

1

Primary Item

Secondary
Item

Transportationandaccommodation in Japan forpatients

Accommodationand itinerary inJapan forpatients

Main Relevant Laws,
Guidelines andStandards
Travel Agent Law
Article 3

Overview of Regulations
・A person who intends toengage in a tour businessor travel agency has to getregistration by thecommissioner of the Japan
Tourism Agency.
・The definition of “TourBusiness” and “Travel
Agency” shall be referred to
Article 2 of the law.
・There are penal
regulations for violation.

Transportation
services inJapan forpatients

Road Transportation
Law
Article 4, Paragraph
1

・A person who engages intransporting passengers by
an automobile forremuneration in order tomeet the needs of others
has to obtain authorizationfrom Minister of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism.
・There are penal
regulations for violation.

2

Providinginformation
andAdvertisement
to Patients

MedicalAdvertisement

・Medical Care Act
Article 6-5 andEnforcement
Regulations on the
Medical Care Act
Article 1-9
・“Guideline forAdvertisement of a
Medical Practice,
Dental Practice,
Hospital, or Clinic”(Guideline for
MedicalAdvertisement）

・In order to provide
objective and accurate
information to patients andhelp patients selectservices, false
advertisement,
comparative advertisement,
exaggerated advertisement,
advertisement that isagainst public policies andmisleading advertisement
regarding treatment and its
effect is prohibited.
Basically, matters that canbe advertised are limited.

・Act on Securing
Quality, Efficacy and
Safety of Products
Including
Pharmaceuticals andMedical Devices

・A person subject to thisregulation is referred to as“any party”, andinternational medical
coordination companies
are also included.

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From Article 66 to 68
・“Code of Fair
Practices in theAdvertising of Drugand Related Product”(No. 0929 Issue .4
Attachment
Notified by
the Director of
Pharmaceutical
Safety andEnvironmental HealthBureau, Ministry of
Health, Labor andWelfare on
September 29th,
2017.)

3

Handling of
Personal
Information

・There can be direct andindirect penal regulations forviolation.
Cases of violation can be
publicized.

Other
Regulations
regardingadvertisement
and its display

Health Promotion Act
Article 65,
Act against
Unjustifiable
Premiums andMisleading
Representations
Article 5, and Unfair
Competition
Prevention Act
Article 2, Paragraph
1, Item 20, and soforth

・It is prohibited tomake an indication that issignificantly contrary to afact regarding effects ofhealth maintenance andimprovement
regarding an article soldas a food product and givea misleading
indication regarding
The quality of services of
medical coordinationcompanies.

Rules ofHandling
Personal
Information inJapan・Act on theProtection of
Personal Information
Chapter 1 andChapter 4・Rules of handlingpersonal information are
specified as following:
specificationof the purpose ofutilization, restriction by
the purpose of utilization,
proper acquisition of
personal information,
notice of the purpose ofutilization at the time ofacquisition, maintenanceof the accuracy of data,and prior consent of theperson is generally
required when personal
information is provided toa third party.

・“Guidelines on the
Act on theProtectionof Personal
Information (Volume
on General Rules)”(Notification of the
Personal Information
Protection
Commission No.6 in2016)
・“Guidelines on the
Act on the protectionof Personal
Information (Volume
on Provision to a

・In international medical
services, other personal
Information, such as past
medical history of10

Third Party in aforeign country)”(Notification of the
Personal Information
Protection
Commission No.7 in2016)
・“Guidelines on the
Act on the protectionof Personal
Information(Volume on
Confirmation andRecord-Keeping
Obligations upon
Third-Party Provision)”(Notification of the
Personal Information
Protection
Commission No. 8 in2016)

patients, results of medical
check-up, medical
treatment procedures andprescription, and othermedical information, ishandled. Therefore, it
should be noted that the
information shall bedeemed as “special carerequired personal
information” anddealt with special
consideration.

・“Guidelines for
Appropriate Handlingof Personal
Information as a
Party Who Is
Involved in Medical
andNursing Care
Business”(Ministry of
Health, Labor andWelfare)Rules ofHandling
Personal
Information ina Country andRegionOutside ofJapan・Laws pertinent toprotection of
personal information ina country andregion where
patients live

・Not only in case that
offices are located in acountry or region outsideof Japan, but also that
there is no office in the
country or region, laws
pertinent to protection of
personal information in the
country or region are
frequently applied to whenproviding services andhandling personal
information of aperson who lives in the
country or the region.
It is necessary to check
relevant laws of an
applicable country andregion and comply with
them.

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4

Handling Visa

Regulation of
Cross-Border
Data Transfer

Laws regarding
protection of
personal informationin Japan or in acountry and region
where patients live.

・In case that data istransferred to beyond aborder or region, laws
frequently impose morestrict requirements thantransferred within acountry or region.
It is necessary to check
relevant laws of an
applicable country andregion and comply withthem.

Registration
Standards for
Registered
Guarantors for
Visa for
Medical Stay

・“Registration
Standards for
Registered
Guarantors (medical
coordinators)
Pertinent to Visa for
Medical Stay”(Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Ministry of
Economy, Trade andIndustry)

・As requirements forregistration for registeredguarantors pertinent to
Visa for Medical Stay, aparty shall meetrequirements as following:organizing a system which
a personnel who hasnecessary language ability
for smooth services of
accepting a patient into
medical institutions inJapan and in case thatemergencies related toservices happened
anywhere in Japan,
developing a system todeal with the emergencies
promptly and enforcing a
support system such as
cooperating with relevant
authorities.

・“Registration
Standards for
Registered Travel
Agencies Pertinent to
Visa for Medical
Stay”(Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Japan
Tourism Agency)

・It is specified that if aparty is deemed not to meetregistration
requirements, theregistration can be
rescinded even after theregistration.
Penal
Regulations forCommitting
Illegal Entry or
Landing

Immigration Control
and Refugee
Recognition Act
Article 74-6

A person who facilitatesillegal entry or landing forthe purpose of profit shallbe punished.

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5

Receiving
Compensation

fromMedicalInstitutions

・Rules for Health
Insurance-Covered
Medical Facilities andMedical Practitioners
Article 2-4-2(Notification of
Ministry of Healthand Welfare No.15 in
1957)
・Answer from
Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare asof June 19, 2020
pertinent toapplication matters of
System to Remove
Gray Zone Areas

6

Abusing of
HealthInsurance
Card

National Health
Insurance Act Article 5
and Article 6, Item 11
and National Health
Insurance Act
Enforcement
Regulation Article 1
Health Insurance Act
Article 5 and Article 6
and Health Insurance
Act Enforcement
Regulation Article 372 and Article 37-3
Penal Code Article
246

7

Risk Aversion
on Business
Deal

Civil Code
Article 415, 709 and715.

・Insurance-covered
medical institutions must not
induce patients to get
medical treatment from its
own medical institution by
providing money and otherarticles as compensation
for referring patients tomedical coordinationcompanies or its
employees, and economic
benefits which can impair
the sound operation ofhealth insurance business.
・However, it is acceptedthat medical institutions,which provide medical
treatment both covered andnot covered by insurance,
pay referral fee pertinent tomedical treatment notcovered by insurance (suchas medical checkup andvaccination) to a referrer.
・Obtaining healthinsurance card illegally andgetting medical services
using health insurance card
illegally obtained can be
fraud in accordance with
National Health Insurance
Act, Health Insurance Act
and Penal Code.
※Reference: “How to verify
personal identification at
insurance-covered medical
institutions”

・Regarding mistranslation
by interpreters, there is apossibility of getting aclaim for compensation by
patients for loss ordamage as liability for nonperformance or torts
based on the contract.
・Necessity of
establishing a system andprior confirmation of acontract between theparties in order to reduce13such risks mentioned
above.
※https://kouseikyoku.mhlw.go.jp/hokkaido/info/tsuchi/sonota/000119110.pdf

8-2. Examples of “Matters to Be Complied with and Its Implementation System”
Medical coordination companies shall develop matters to be complied with and its
implementation system, referring to examples specified in this item.
(1) Dealing with Patients【Before Patients Come to Japan】
1

2
3

4

5

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Comprehending detailed needs of patients as well as medical
information.
1-1. Making appropriate decisions based on medical
information, with taking needs of patients into
consideration, in selecting a medical institution to get
medical consultation.
1-2. Confirming if patients truly need medical examination andtreatment in Japan and not intend to enter Japan exploiting
a position as a patient.
Do not induce patients intentionally putting priority on interests
in selecting a medical institution to get medical consultation.
Giving instruction and an explanation from medical institutions
to patients accurately. Explaining patients that getting medical
examination and treatment from medical institutions in Japan
does not guarantee complete cure of disease, and not giving
patients excessive expectation for getting medical services inJapan.
Giving an explanation and getting understanding from patients
before they come to Japan regarding matters as following
・A process of getting medical examination and treatment at
medical institutions in Japan and necessity of deciding which
medical institution patients will get examination at andtreatment, before coming to Japan.
・Rules about a visa including Visa for Medical Stay・Differences in custom, and features of medical
institutions in Japan・ Rules in medical institutions
・General health care systems, such as an insurance
system・Necessity of taking out travel accident insurance
Closing a contract with patients regarding medical coordinationand dealing with personal information in accordance with 4 asabove.
5-1. Specifying the cost of medical expenses and otherexpenses.
5-2. Receiving medical expenses in advance.
5-3. Managing deposited medical expenses appropriately.

Category
Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance
Safe Medical Support
Legal Compliance
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support
Legal Compliance

Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance
Safe Medical Support

5-4. Confirming paying capacity of patients, considering that
medical examination and treatment may require more
expenses than expected.

14

6

7

8
9

Setting a schedule of medical examination and treatment
through consultation and confirmation with medical
institutions and making an appointment for patient’s first
visit.
6-1. Checking internal devices of patients, and report it to
medical institutions.
6-2. Confirmation of condition and existence of infectious
diseases of patients.
Using a visa to stay in Japan properly such as Visa for Medical
Stay and developing a system for that.
・Setting a reasonable schedule for medical examination andtreatment and staying in Japan・ An accompanying person is proper
・Needs of Multiple Entry Visa is properly determined.
・Status of residence is confirmed.
・Scheduling a travel route suited to condition of patients.
・Making a proper arrangement and a reservation for a place tostay for patients.
Checking rules regarding entering Japan and tell the rules topatients.
In case that communication to patients is made through agents,
9-1. Ensuring that agents are aware of matters to be complied
with, and instructing them to communicate with patients
based on that effect.
9-2. Disclosing information properly based on record andevidence when an inquiry is made by agents regarding
services provided by medical coordination companies.

Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance

Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support【During Patients’ Stay in Japan】
10

11
12

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Getting medical examination and treatment based on
instruction from medical institutions.
10-1. An attendant is present for patients to get examinationand treatment on the appointment date, and check theexamination and treatment.
10-2. The attendant shall be a person in charge whocomprehends examination and treatment well.
10-3. Managing the quality of interpreters. The interpreter tells
instruction from medical institutions properly whether it
is given orally or in writing.
10-4. Complying with rules about receiving medical
examination and treatment at medical institutions.
10-5. Trying to get medical examination and treatment safely
and without any trouble. If there should be advice ornotice from medical institutions, a person in charge shalltell advice or notice to a patient and seek improvements.
10-6. Making sure that medical coordination companies makecontact with medical institutions through a person in
charge in order not to cause any trouble caused bypatients, such as negotiating lower medical expenses to
medical institutions.
Do not take patients to medical institutions without making areservation in advance.
Even if needs of patients does not meet in the end, the person

Category
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support

15

13

14

in charge shall tell the reason to patients clearly and get
understanding from them.
Always managing a plan, place to stay, and contact of patientsand contacting patients.
13-1. Always getting a grasp of behavior of an accompanying
person of patients.
13-2. Complying with relevant laws when arranging
accommodation and transportation.
In case that agents get involved in, information can be sharedwith agents, if necessary, with due care and attention.

Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance
Safe Medical Support【After Patients Return Home】
15
16

17

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Being able to contact patients appropriately in accordance withmedical examination and treatment and instruction frommedical institutions (a patient’s doctor).
Even after treatment in Japan, getting proper medical
consultation with medical institutions where a patient got
examination and treatment, in accordance with the patient’s
needs.
In case that agents get involved in, information can be sharedwith agents, if necessary, with due care and attention.

Category
Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support(2) Dealing with Medical Institutions【Before Patients Come to Japan】
18

19

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Consulting with medical institutions whether patients can get
medical examination and treatment or not through contract andpartnership with institutions.
Regarding a medical institution which does not havecontract nor partnership with, medical coordinationcompanies shall check if the medical institution can provide
medical examination and treatment to foreign visitors, and makean agreement after confirming policies and rules of the medical
institution.
18-1. Making proper contact to a contact point/person forforeign visitors specified by medical institutions.
18-2. At the beginning of consultation, telling that whether
patients get medical examination and treatment or not is
not confirmed, therefore, there is a possibility ofcancellation, and getting an agreement with medical
institutions.
18-3. Confirming medical examination and treatment
procedures and rules specially applied to foreign visitors.
Providing required information (based on instruction frommedical institutions) regarding whether patients can get medical
examination and treatment or not accurately and appropriately.
Handling personal information with care.
19-1. Telling detailed needs of patients as well as medical
information.
19-2. Comprehending underlying diseases and past medical
history of a patient and consulting with medical

Category
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance

Safe Medical Support

16

20
21

22

institutions based on these appropriately whether thepatient can be accepted or not.
19-3. Confirming and telling information in advance regarding
an accompanying person on a patient’s visit to Japan.
Confirming mutually regarding emergency contact details and ahandling method.
Checking infectious disease prevalence in a country and region
from which patients come as much as possible, and paying
attention to infection risk for all persons who visit medical
institutions.
An exclusive contract cannot be requested.

Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support

Legal Compliance【During Patients’ Stay in Japan】
23
24
25

26

27
28

29

30
31

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Confirming medical examination, treatment and expenses
with medical institutions, and getting an agreement frompatients whenever there are any changes in a plan.
Cooperating closely with a person in charge from medical
institutions and sharing information with the person,
especially while a patient is hospitalized.
Interpreting will be conducted by a person who has aqualification of medical interpreting or has an equivalent level ofthat. Or a rule for utilizing an interpreter, such as, thatinterpreting shall be conducted by a person withexperience of medical interpreting, shall be established. In
some interpreting cases, an interpreter is deemed to be capable
after getting an agreement from medical
institutions and patients.
25-1. Conversation and interpreting during medical examinationand treatment are recorded only after receiving anapproval of concerned parties on that site.
If matters, which do not clearly comply with rules of medical
institutions, should occur by request from patients, making
appropriate action such as reporting to and consulting withmedical institutions and setting up a forum for discussion withpatients
Completing services agreed in advance with medical
institutions.
Always managing a medical consultation schedule of a patient
through comprehending medical examination and treatment,
and making a reservation for the patient’s next consultation if
necessary.
Making an adjustment in a timely and appropriate manner inorder to set a payment schedule in accordance with a medical
examination schedule.

Category
Safe Medical Support

Medical expenses after medical examination and treatment
shall be settled without any delay in accordance with terms of aprior agreement.
Being able to check in advance regarding necessary medical
examination after a patient returns home and whether patients
can take medicine appropriately in patient’s own country. (Onpatient’s own responsibility, the patient can follow instruction
from medical institutions after returning from Japan).

Credibility

Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support

Credibility
Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support

Safe Medical Support17

【After Patients Return Home】
32
33

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Being able to report condition of patients after they return homein case of receiving instruction from medical institutions
Giving an explanation of a prescription in accordance with
instruction from medical institutions.

Category
Safe Medical Support
Safe Medical Support(3) Dealing with Relevant Government Ministries and Agencies, and Related Associations.

34
35
36
37

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Complying with rules as a registered guarantor pertinent to Visafor Medical Stay. Developing a necessary system for that.
Comprehending rules specified by related associations.
Working to comprehend issues and problems on site. Reportingto and asking for advice on solution if necessary from relevant
government ministries and agencies.
Providing appropriate information if necessary to relevant
government ministries and agencies, and related associations.

Category
Legal Compliance
Credibility
Credibility
Credibility(4) Implementation System, Improving Service Quality and Promotion of Medical
Coordination Companies

38
39
40
41
42

Matters to Be Complied with & Its Implementation System
Working to improve quality of own services. Working to improveability of coordinators and interpreters through education.
Excluding anti-social forces.
Securing of soundness in finance.
Conducting a promotion appropriately both domestically andinternationally (for example, copyrighted works, such as
pictures or data, cannot be used without permission).
Do not defame concerned parties such as patients, medical
institutions and medical coordination companies.

Category
Credibility
Credibility
Credibility
Legal Compliance
Credibility

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