Characteristics of receipt rate of financial aid for intractable disease patients in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

The data on intractable disease patients who applied for official financial aid for medical treatment in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, in fiscal year 1997 were analyzed. In addition, to assess the nonapplied patients, a questionnaire on intractable disease patients with disabilities needing assistance was sent to all medical institutions in the prefecture. The results suggest that the low receipt rate of financial aid in Gifu Prefecture results from both nonapplication by patients and underdiagnosis at medical institutions. Percent completion of medical treatment for intractable disease patients in a single secondary medical service area was low. Although the percentage of patients with disabilities authorized to receive financial aid was 4.6%, the estimated ratio of patients with disabilities needing assistance exceeded this value. Therefore, the dissemination of information on official services for patients and medical care facilities must be strengthened.