The Saga of ‘Paid Referrals’ of Disability Welfare Services Continues

By March 17th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had thoroughly informed local governments that it is prohibited for disability welfare service facilities and businesses to pay money or goods to referral companies in return for introducing users to them, as this is a violation of the operating standards. It was originally prohibited to pay referral fees to consultation support specialists who create service usage plans and other disability welfare businesses, but the treatment of the general public and referral companies was unclear, so this was clarified. Episode Notes: ‘Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Informs Local Governments of Prohibition on ‘Paid Referrals’ of Disability Welfare Services’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/03/19/japans-ministry-of-health-labor-and-welfare-informs-local-governments-of-prohibition-on-paid-referrals-of-disability-welfare-services/