Cost of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is not covered by Japanese public medical insurances. It is because the number of medical institutions where proton therapy is provided is not big enough nationwide yet. At the SCC, the utmost efforts have been made to create a rate structure which should reduce the patients’ cost burdens, by charging per a package of irradiation sessions.

• General medical costs for hospital stay and inspections, etc. are partly covered by Japanese public medical insurances.

• Citizens of Shizuoka Prefecture (patient him/herself or his/her family members need to have lived there for more than one year before taking the treatment) can have exemption of 200,000 yen from the basic charge.

Basic Concept for the Rate Structure for Proton Therapy at the SCC

1. Rates are based on cost accounting.

2. Rate structure has been fixed to reduce patients’ cost burdens.

Rates for Proton Therapy

The cost is not based on a flat rate system but is divided into the Basic Charge and the Irradiation Charge.

In addition to the above, general medical costs including consultation, examination and hospital stay (partly covered by the Japanese public medical insurances) are charged.

Example of the Proton-beam Cost at the SCC

A Case of a Citizen of Shizuoka Pref. with a Therapy Plan for 23 Irradiation Sessions