NationalHealth & medical
Designated Intractable Disease Medical Expense Subsidy
指定難病医療費助成（特定医療費）
In short: For people with a designated intractable disease: medical co-pay drops to 20% and is capped monthly by income. Tokyo administers it for Tokyo residents.People certified for a designated intractable disease (or Tokyo-only listed disease) receive subsidy for treatment of that disease.(Source: www.hokeniryo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp, verified on 2026-10-15)
Validity: Current per Tokyo intractable disease portal checked 2026-10-15. Verified on 2026-10-15. Official source: https://www.hokeniryo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kenkou/nanbyo/portal/seido/josei
- Full cap table by income tier — not recorded.
- Application documents — confirm with health centre.
- Residence-status rule — not stated on source; confirm with office.
Who qualifies
- People certified for a designated intractable disease (or Tokyo-only listed disease) receive subsidy for treatment of that disease. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Conditions by topic
| Age | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
|---|---|
| Income | Monthly cap depends on household municipal tax status. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
| Household | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Child age | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Residence in Japan | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Residence in Tokyo / municipality | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Work / insurance type | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Disability | Has a designated intractable disease meeting the severity criteria. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
Residence status
Not stated in the official sources we checked — unknown.
Where to apply
- Tokyo intractable disease portal (application details). [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Find addresses in the office finder.
Deadlines
Not yet verified from an official source.
Documents
Not yet verified from an official source.
Key details
- Co-pay ratio becomes 20% (stays the same if it was already 10% or 20%). [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
- A monthly co-pay cap is set by income (municipal tax status); costs across hospitals and pharmacies in the month are combined, and anything above the cap is fully covered. Caps include ¥10,000, ¥20,000 and ¥30,000 tiers. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
- Since 1 Oct 2023 the subsidy can start from the date the designated doctor diagnosed that the severity criteria were met. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Phone / counter phrases
すみません、難病の医療費助成について伺いたいのですが、対象になるか、何を持っていけばよいか教えていただけますか。
Hello. I would like to ask about the intractable disease medical subsidy. Am I eligible, and what documents should I bring?
すみません、もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか。
Sumimasen, mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka.
Sorry, could you please speak a little more slowly?
Generic phrases for practical help, not official wording.