[Moving to Japan] Medical insurance system in Japan

INDEX

What is Medical Insurance？
Three types of medical insurance in Japan
Long-term Care Insurance for 40 and above (no procedures required)
Summary – Determine if you need to enroll in the system at the municipal office

What is Medical Insurance？

Everyone living in Japan, regardless of nationality, is required to enroll in the public medical insurance plan.

All people living in Japan make contributions to the public medical insurance plan so that people can go to the hospital and pay less when they are injured or sick.

The reduced payment is paid out of the insurance.

In other words, the burden of medical care costs is shared by everyone in society in Japan and the system reduces the out-of-pocket medical expenses. The system guarantees equal opportunities so that everyone may receive high-quality, advanced medical care.

See Chapter 6: Medicine of “Living and Working Guidebook” for the details.

法務省

Three types of medical insurance in Japan

There are three types of medical insurance in Japan, and you are to enroll in one of them.

Health Insurance
National Health Insurance
Medical Service System for the Elderly

Please see below for the brief explanation of each.

(1) Health Insurance

Health Insurance is a health insurance plan that a company enrolls in.

If you work for a company (business office) that is required to enroll in health insurance and you are required to enroll in health insurance, you will be enrolled in Health Insurance.

Those who meet the requirements, such as working 20 hours or more per week and earning a monthly salary of 88,000 yen or more, are eligible to enroll in Health Insurance.

There are other conditions as well. Therefore, check with your employer to see if you are eligible for health insurance!

Family members who live in Japan are also eligible to enroll in health insurance. Check with your employer to see if that is the case.

Your employer should apply for health insurance, so you do not need to apply for it yourself at the municipal office.

(2) National Health Insurance

The National Health Insurance is for the following groups of people:

Those who are not enrolled in (1) health insurance
Those who are under 75 years old
Those who have been in Japan for more than 3 months

Those who fall under any of the following categories are not eligible to join:

Those whose period of stay in Japan is less than 3 months (membership is available if certain conditions are met)
Those whose status of residence is “Temporary Visitor”
Those whose status of residence is “Designated Activities” and receive medical treatment or provide daily care for someone who receive medical treatment
Those whose status of residence is “Designated Activities” and engage in sightseeing, recreation and other similar activities
Those whose status of residence is “Diplomat”
Those with no status of residence due to illegal stay, etc.
Those from countries that have social security agreements with Japan covering medical insurance, and have a proof of social insurance coverage from the home country

Those who need to enroll in the National Health Insurance must apply for it at the municipal office.

(3) Medical Service System for the Elderly

The Medical Service System for the Elderly is for the following groups of people:

Those who are 75 years old or older
Those who are between 65 and 74 with disability

Those who fall under any of the following categories are not eligible to join: (the same as (2) National Health Insurance)

Those whose period of stay in Japan is less than 3 months (membership is available if certain conditions are met)
Those whose status of residence is “Temporary Visitor”
Those whose status of residence is “Designated Activities” and receive medical treatment or provide daily care for someone who receive medical treatment
Those whose status of residence is “Designated Activities” and engage in sightseeing, recreation and other similar activities
Those whose status of residence is “Diplomat”
Those with no status of residence due to illegal stay, etc.
Those from countries that have social security agreements with Japan covering medical insurance, and have a proof of social insurance coverage from the home country

There is nothing to be done to enroll in the Medical Service System for the Elderly.

When you turn 75 years old, you will be automatically enrolled in the Medical Service System for the Elderly.

At that time, you will be withdrawn from your previous health insurance plan (such as (1) Health Insurance or (2) National Health Insurance).

Long-term Care Insurance for 40 and above (no procedures required)

If you are 40 years old or above and live in Japan for more than 3 months, you are also required to enroll in long-term care insurance regardless of your nationality.

There is nothing to be done to enroll in the Long-term Care Insurance.

If you are enrolled in medical insurance, you will be automatically enrolled in the Long-term Care Insurance when you turn 40.

Insurance premiums are as follows:

For those aged 65 or older (Category I insured persons), the premiums are deducted from the pension.
For those who are between 40 and 65 (Category II insured persons), the premiums are added to their medical insurance premiums.

For more information about the Long-Term Care Insurance, please see Chapter 7: Pensions and Welfare of “Living and Working Guidebook” for the details.