Abstract
When one aims to promote the distribution and development of a new kind of medical technology in Japan where universal health insurance coverage has been institutionalized, one must keep in mind the rules governing the process to incorporate a new medical technology into the public health insurance coverage. After introducing the discussions concerning the issue of mixed billing, I will outline the system of “medical care for (further) evaluation” (advanced medical technologies and highly advanced medical technologies in particular), for which mixed billing is permitted as an evaluation stage for inclusion in health insurance coverage, as well as the overall process and rules for the inclusion of individual medical technologies in health insurance coverage. After reviewing relevant documentation regarding the expectations of the general public on the future of the social security system, including health care, I will highlight three elements which point to a growth in music therapy in response to people′s expectation : (1) scientific evaluation of efficacy and safety, etc. and standardization of methods, (2) increased distribution and deepening of understanding by the general public with regard to the value of music therapy, and (3) training of the providers of music therapy.
