Lunit AI Video Analysis Solution to Receive Insurance Coverage in Japan

First Official Certification for Insurance Coverage
First Case of AI Solution Applied for Reimbursement

Medical AI company Lunit announced on the 26th that 'CXR-AID,' developed based on 'Lunit Insight CXR' and sold by Fujifilm, has been officially certified as eligible for additional reimbursement under Japan's health insurance system.

Fujifilm officials visited Lunit headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 14th and took a commemorative photo. From the left, Jang Minhong, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Lunit; Hisanaga Ryuji, General Manager of Fujifilm IT Solutions; Shinohara Kenta, Product Specialist of Fujifilm IT Solutions; Park Hyunsik, Product Clinical Marketing Manager of Lunit; Oh Jaemin, Head of Business Development at Lunit.
[Photo by Lunit]

CXR-AID is an AI imaging analysis solution that detects abnormal findings in chest X-rays to assist medical professionals in diagnosis. It received approval from Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2021.

Japan's health insurance reimbursement system recognizes additional fees for AI imaging diagnostic software that meets certain facility requirements and safety standards under the 'Imaging Diagnostic Management Addition 3' category, which covers fees for CT and MRI scans. In this regard, the Japan Radiological Society (JRS) recently designated AI software eligible under the Imaging Diagnostic Management Addition 3 category and officially certified 17 AI solutions, including CXR-AID.

Accordingly, when hospitals in Japan that meet certain facility requirements use any of the 17 AI solutions including CXR-AID, they will receive a total reimbursement score of 340 points, which includes the existing 300 points for the number of scans plus an additional 40 points for using the AI solution. The reimbursement applied this time is approximately 3,400 yen (about 31,000 KRW).

Lunit expects this reimbursement application in Japan to significantly increase profitability in the Japanese market.

Ryuuji Hisanaga, General Manager of Fujifilm IT Solutions, said, "The application of health insurance to CXR-AID is expected to improve patient access to medical AI solutions and reduce medical expenses. It is also positive that the system recognizing additional fees for AI software is likely to be expanded to hospital and clinic levels in the future."

Beomseok Seo, CEO of Lunit, said, "This is the first case of a Lunit AI solution-based product being certified for insurance reimbursement in Japan. We hope that more countries will recognize reimbursement for medical AI solutions, starting with Japan, so that patients can benefit from a wider range of health insurance coverage."

In 2019, Lunit formed a partnership with Fujifilm and signed an exclusive sales contract for Lunit Insight in Japan.