Comparative cost-benefit analysis of tele-homecare for community-dwelling elderly in Japan: Non-Government versus Government Supported Funding Models

Highlights • Both non-government and government supported funding models for enabling tele-homecare for community dwelling elders in Japan are cost saving but factors such as incorporation of service fees and non-reliance on government subsidy for start-up costs may drive more efficient outcomes. • Rural municipalities with scarce financial and medical resources tend to rely on funding from the national government but large initial costs and low willingness to pay (WTP) in the government supported model tend to worsen the benefit-to-cost ratio. • Government guidelines are needed to ensure prudent spending practices by local municipalities and healthcare providers regarding health information technology (IT) procurement.