TOKYO — The Department of Defense, after a yearlong study, announced a one-year pilot program Monday to help its 11,000 civilian employees navigate and defray the cost of medical care in Japan.

The pilot program starts Jan. 1 and runs through Sept. 29, according to the DOD news release. Civilian employee dependents are not eligible.

The Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan will assist eligible civilian employees with health care navigation and upfront costs associated with accessing Japan’s healthcare system, according to the release.

Eligible employees may sign up for the program during the Federal Benefits Open Season from Nov. 11 through Dec. 9.

The pilot program addresses complaints raised by DOD civilian employees who turned out in droves in early 2023 to public meetings at U.S. bases in Japan. At those hearings, visiting Pentagon officials gauged discontent over the Defense Health Agency curtailing civilian access to base hospitals and clinics on all but a space-available basis.

In response, civilian employees cited the practice in Japan of paying for healthcare upfront, a matter sometimes of tens of thousands of dollars; of sometimes being refused care at Japanese healthcare facilities; the language and cultural barrier and differing health care practices in Japan.

The loss of steady access to base health care meant some employees relocated from Japan and others decided against taking jobs in the country, according to groups like Japan Civilian Medical Advocacy.

Military hospitals will continue to accommodate some health care for civilian employee, according to the release.

“The Department recognizes the significant contributions of our DoD civilian workforce around the world,” said Ashish Vazirani, the interim undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. “In keeping with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s commitment to taking care of all our people, we owe it to our civilians to facilitate access to health care no matter where they are. The support from this pilot program will help enhance the patient experience for the approximately 11,000 civilians stationed in Japan through the new pilot.”

This story will be updated.