[First in Japan] Fast Doctor Succeeds in Automating Medical Fee Calculation Operations, Achieving 80% Labor Saving at a Hospital in Kumamoto Prefecture

Fast Doctor Inc. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Dr. Ryo Kikuchi, Takashi Mizuno), which develops and operates a medical support platform, has, in its 10th anniversary year of 2026, developed the system "Santei Agent" to automate outpatient medical fee calculation operations as part of its initiative to expand its business into supporting the operational foundation of medical institutions. This system is the first of its kind in Japan*, featuring automatic execution of the entire process from calculation based on electronic medical record information to invoice issuance to patients, tailored to the different operational flows of each hospital. Furthermore, in a trial introduction at Yata Hospital in Kumamoto Prefecture, it was confirmed that approximately 80% of the labor involved in outpatient calculation operations was saved.

Challenges Surrounding Medical Fee Calculation Operations

Calculation operations, which determine insurance claim amounts based on fees set by the country for medical services provided to patients, are administrative tasks requiring high expertise. In addition to adhering to vast calculation requirements and facility standards, it is necessary to accurately apply multi-layered rules such as responding to medical fee revisions conducted every two years and unique public funding systems specific to each local government. However, securing specialized personnel to handle this task is a serious challenge nationwide. Especially in rural areas, securing personnel is difficult, and it is common for operations to be concentrated among a small number of experienced staff.

Mechanism of "Santei Agent"

Previous calculation support tools were limited to suggesting calculation candidates or assisting with checks; final judgment and work still required human intervention. In contrast, "Santei Agent" acquires medical information from electronic medical records and automatically calculates medical fees based on applicable calculation conditions. It then executes the entire process, from reflecting this in the receipt computer (system for creating medical fee statements) to printing receipts and statements for patients, without human intervention. The reason why automation of calculation operations has not been realized in Japan until now is the significant variation in electronic medical record structures and operational flows among facilities. For example, the same medical information might be registered as "structured data" in some hospitals and as "physician's free-form entry" in others, with no standardization. Furthermore, since input methods for necessary calculation information and role division for management also differ based on organizational structure, it was difficult to handle with uniform logic. This system is designed with the premise of customization to match the operational processes of each medical institution, enabling flexible response to such differences.

Verification Results at Yata Hospital, Kumamoto Prefecture

In a demonstration conducted from November 2025 at Yata Hospital (Kosa-machi, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) of the Specific Medical Corporation Yata-kai, it was confirmed that approximately 80% of the labor for outpatient calculation operations in specific departments could be saved while being accurately and automatically executed without human intervention. Kosa-machi, where the hospital is located, is a region with a population of approximately 10,000, facing depopulation and an aging population. In such regions, securing specialized administrative staff for medical fee calculation and billing operations is difficult nationwide, making operational efficiency a significant challenge. Therefore, the hospital participated in this demonstration with the aim of improving operational efficiency through DX and optimizing personnel allocation. Currently, two staff members are engaged in outpatient calculation operations, but with the introduction of this system, they are considering saving labor and reallocating personnel to tasks that require more human hands.

Comment from Masashi Fujii, Administrative Manager, Yata Hospital

With the introduction of the automatic calculation system, we can now semi-automatically perform everything from the end of consultations to the printing of receipts and statements. Approximately 80% of the input work, previously handled by two people, has been automated, making it possible to operate with just one person. This has not only led to more efficient personnel allocation but also positively impacted the quality of work. In our hospital, calculation staff often handle patient inquiries via the main phone line while working, but automation has reduced calculation errors caused by interruptions in calculation work due to phone calls and decreased concentration. Furthermore, in receipt confirmation, an environment is being established that is less influenced by the experience and ability of individual staff members. Standardizing confirmation items has improved the overall accuracy and stability of operations, creating a system where staff can spend more time focusing on patients, allowing us to concentrate on our core role as a medical facility.

Fast Doctor's Unique Approach

Fast Doctor, which began with emergency support during nights and holidays and has progressed to the regional implementation of primary care, has, since its founding, built medical operations on a platform through operational support for emergency home visits and online consultations, accumulating practical knowledge of on-site tasks, including calculation operations. Additionally, the company has the track record of broadly supporting the administrative operations of medical institutions through its group company, Cloud Clinic Inc., which provides BPO services for medical administration. "Santei Agent" is a product for medical institutions developed by combining this on-site knowledge with the DX and AI utilization know-how that the company has honed internally. In this way, we are expanding our role from simply supporting medical practice to supporting the operational foundation of medical institutions themselves.

Future Outlook

Going forward, we will expand the types of electronic medical record and receipt computer systems we support, creating an environment where it can be utilized by more medical institutions. Furthermore, along with the expansion of adopting medical institutions, we will extend the range of supported medical departments and calculation target areas, aiming for further improvement in the automation rate. Facing the "2040 problem," where the decrease in the working-age population and the increase in medical demand will occur simultaneously, medical personnel shortages are expected to become even more severe. Fast Doctor will continue to contribute to the establishment of a stable medical provision system, regardless of region, through initiatives to improve productivity using technology. "Santei Agent" is one such practice, and for the next decade, we will promote the "regional implementation of primary care" with technology and new operational models. Fast Doctor Inc. celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 1, 2026. The company, which started with emergency support on nights and holidays, is now shifting its focus to initiatives supporting the "regional implementation of primary care" against the backdrop of population decline, aging, medical personnel shortages, and rising social security costs. While utilizing technology and new operational models, we are promoting the creation of systems that deliver necessary medical care with limited medical resources. We express our sincere gratitude to all patients, healthcare professionals, and related parties who have supported us over the past 10 years. ▶ Read more about future business expansion here. ※The expression "First in Japan" is based on our own research as of April 2026, targeting publicly disclosed information on major medical fee support services in Japan, and is based on the results of an investigation into "systems that automatically execute the entire outpatient medical fee calculation process, from acquiring electronic medical record information to reflecting it in the receipt computer and issuing patient invoices." 【Fast Doctor Inc.】 Location: 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Established: August 2016 Representatives: Ryo Kikuchi (Doctor)・Takashi Mizuno URL: https://fastdoctor.jp/corporate/ 【Inquiries regarding this matter】 Fast Doctor Inc. Public Relations Megumi Tajima Email: pr@fastdoctor.jp Phone: 090-7843-9782