Health Insurance System
National Health Insurance
National Health Insurance is a very affordable health insurance system in Japan. The national and local governments share the cost of medical expenses with the Individual. This way, the sick or injured individual is able to visit a doctor without much concern regarding the cost. It is mandatory for all students with the status of ‘college student’ (those who will stay in Japan for 3 months or longer) to be enrolled in National Health Insurance for the duration of their stay.
(However, if the student has a family member that is a Japanese national or local government worker, or a company employee, and the student has health insurance through mutual benefits or is covered as a dependent, then they do not need to enroll in the National Health Insurance.)
Insurance premiums are required for enrollment, however students can receive medical treatment and medicine by paying just 30% of the total medical expenses covered by the Health Insurance Act. The remaining 70% of the medical expenses will be paid by the National Health Insurance (however, please note, some treatments are not covered by insurance, for example health exams, cosmetic surgery, etc.)
1. How to Enroll
If you bring your residence card to the National Health Insurance counter of the city (ward) office where you submitted your place of residence, and submitted your application, you will be given a health insurance card.
When visiting a medical institution in Japan that accepts health insurance, be sure to bring your health insurance card.
Please submit notification to the city (ward) office of your residence within 14 days for the following situations.
- Change of address
- Completion of study abroad term, intention of leaving Japan
- Loss of insurance card
2. Insurance Fees
Monthly insurance premiums will be necessary upon enrolling the National Health Insurance. The insurance premiums will differ depending on the municipality in which you live.
Insurance premiums can be paid by direct deposit, or by payment slip at a bank or convenience store. Please be sure to pay by the payment deadline.
3. Handling Medical Expenses That Occur Overseas
A person covered by「NHI」can receive reimbursement for medical visits while outside Japan. In order to do that, she must submit a statement detailing the treatment Content to the NH1 office (counter) and make an application for the reimbursement. Then she will receive a refund of the amount covered by the insurance benefits.
- Procedure
- Visiting a medical institution for injury or illness occurring overseas
- ↓
- Pay the full amount at the overseas medical institution
- ↓
- Have the medical institution prepare the following documents
-
- Treatment content
- Receipt
- Japanese Translation
- After returning to Japan, submit the documents to the National Health Insurance Division of your city (ward) office.
- ↓
- Conditions for receiving a refund :
-
* Statements issued by the overseas medical institution in a foreign language, must be submitted with a Japanese language translation.
* Payment was made at a health care institution within Japan, as a standard the benefits will be paid.
* Treatment must be ensured by the NHI coverage.
Inquiry
- For more details on insurance premiums, reduction of insurance premiums, and other National Health Insurance issues, please contact the National Health Insurance Division in each city (ward) office.