Healthcare In Japan: Ultimate Guide For Expats And Digital Nomads
Japan’s healthcare system is known for its affordability and equality. In fact, Japan was ranked as the second-best country for healthcare in the world. There are also certain types of insurance you can enroll in as a legal resident when you intend to stay there for more than three months.
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It’s crucial to learn more about the healthcare system and international health insurance plans in Japan, such as basic medical care, hospitalization, and international health insurance for expats. Thus, this Pacific Prime article will guide you through the ins and outs of Japan’s healthcare system.
How Is The Healthcare System In Japan For Foreigners?
Japan has universal health care for its citizens and legal residents, which includes expats who are staying in Japan for three months or longer. The goal of having universal health care is to make sure everyone in Japan has access to basic medical services without financial hardship.
Does Japan Have Free Healthcare?
Unfortunately, Japan doesn’t have free healthcare. But with universal health care, the out-of-pocket costs for patients are relatively low compared to many other developed countries.
Health Insurance Systems In Japan
It’s good to know that even expats and digital nomads can access basic healthcare services in Japan almost at no cost. Now it’s time to take a closer look at health insurance in Japan. Who needs to enroll in NHI? What about SHI? Can you enroll in both? Let’s find out.
Is Health Insurance Mandatory For Expats In Japan?
It is mandatory for expats to have health insurance in Japan. According to Japanese laws, digital nomads or foreigners need to enroll in NHI when they reside in Japan for more than 3 months. Those who are employed by Japanese companies will be enrolled in SHI.
Who Can Enroll in SHI?
Social Health Insurance (SHI) is available for people who are full-timers working in a medium to large company or who are self-employed in Japan. These are some examples of people who can enroll in SHI.
- Self-employed individuals with more than over 10 million yen as annual income
- Self-employed who make less than 10 million yen and are enrolled in the public pension system.
- Public pensioners with an eligible spouse
- Former SHI policyholders who have been unemployed for less than two years
- Individuals who are covered by their spouse’s SHI plan.
- Employees of organizations with mutual aid association
While each family member needs to enroll in NHI individually, they do not have to do the same for SHI because SHI includes coverage for family members as well.
How to Enroll in the SHI Program?
Thankfully, it is much easier to get your SHI. You need to contact your employer or your local Social Insurance Office. But normally, it’s your employer’s job to enroll you. You only need to fill out the form and provide some paperwork.
Once the processes are done, you will get your SHI insurance card, which gives you access to healthcare services.
Who Can Enroll in NHI?
The National Health Insurance (NHI) program is open to almost everyone in Japan. For expats who intend to live in Japan for more than 3 months, you can also enroll in this program, unless:
- You are a short-term resident
- You are over 75 years old or older
- You receive health insurance from your employer. (for example, SHI, and mutual aid associations)
- You receive public assistance
Moreover, even when you are employed by a company in Japan that offers you the SHI, you can apply for NHI if you are not eligible for Social Health Insurance (SHI). (For example when you work as a part-time or temporary worker.)
How Do I Sign Up for Japanese National Health Insurance?
If you are eligible to enroll in NHI, you will typically need to follow these steps:
- Register your residence: You must register your residence within 14 days after you move to Japan. All you need to do is take your passport and residence card to a local municipal office (also known as a city hall or ward office). Bring your passport and residence card, too.
- Enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program: After you register your residence, you need to fill out the forms to enroll in NHI
- NHI Premiums: With NHI premiums, you won’t be asked to pay anything at the office. Instead, you will receive a premium bill once your insurance card (Kenko Hokensho) is sent to you.
Tips: Even though the NHI covers most of the expenses, you can also get private health insurance to help cover the rest of the medical bills.
Private Insurance In Japan
It is a fact that the Japanese government covers up to 70% of medical expenses when you are enrolled in NHI or SHI. Another 30% is out-of-pocket money you have to pay which is not that much when you think about it in percentage.
But do not forget that if you need surgery or complicated treatment, 30% can be a lot of money. Moreover, comprehensive private insurance can be really helpful when you are waiting for approval from NHI or SHI.
Hospitals In Japan
According to Japanese law, hospitals are required to run as non-profits and have to be owned and operated by physicians. In 2021, the record said there are more than 8,000 hospitals in Japan, including private hospitals, public hospitals, and clinics.
Let’s check out what you need to know about hospitals in Japan.
Who Can Access Hospitals/Clinics?
All Japanese citizens, residents, and those who registered legally, can access both public and private hospitals and clinics. The medical expenses will be partly covered by the NHI. Moreover, you can check with them first to see if you can use your private health insurance.
Language Barriers
As an expat in Japan, going to a hospital or clinic can be challenging because not many professionals speak English. To address this, you can visit the Multilingual Medical Questionnaire (MMQ) page to access useful queries and translations for medical services.
You can also check out more useful multilingual materials for foreigners, provided by The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW). Additionally, you can contact the AMDA International Medical Information Center for more information, or get a translation on the phone.
Japanese Emergency Number
When you’re living in Japan, it’s a good idea to know the emergency numbers for medical services.
- Call 119 for an ambulance service
- #7199 is for non-emergency medical needs
- Call 118 for maritime emergencies
- To contact the police, dial 110
- Dial 03-5285-8181 (open every day from 9 AM to 8 PM) to contact Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Institute Information
- Contact an emergency translation Service at 03-5285-8185 (weekdays 5 PM to 8 PM, weekends and holidays 9 AM to 8 PM).
Buying Medicine In Japan
If you bring your personal medications to Japan, you might need to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (a certificate of import). After that, if you want to purchase more medicines, you need to get prescriptions from Japanese doctors.
Medicines
In Japan, several medicines are not allowed to be imported. That’s why sometimes, you get the same medicines that have the same effects but in different brands.
Pharmacies
One thing that might surprise you when you visit a hospital or clinic in Japan is that the doctor tends to give a prescription with a lot of medicines even when you only have normal flu.
Also, note that Japanese pharmacies do not accept foreign prescriptions. You need to get a prescription only from Japanese doctors.
Get In Touch With Pacific Prime
After getting to know about the healthcare systems in Japan, you might be thinking about getting private health insurance because securing expat health insurance provides ease of mind for you. It also helps with your financial plan.
For over two decades, Pacific Prime has assisted expats in finding the ideal insurance plans that suit their needs and budget. Whether it’s travel insurance or health insurance, we provide unbiased advice and compare plans for you. Contact us today to receive a complimentary quote.
FAQs
Who is eligible for healthcare in Japan?
All legal residents are eligible for healthcare in Japan, whether they are Japanese citizens or non-citizens. Expats and digital nomads need to live more than three months in Japan in order to get National Health Insurance (NHI) and register for their residency.
What is the cost of healthcare in Japan?
According to National Health Insurance (NHI), and Social Health Insurance (SHI), the government pays up to 70% of the medical expenses. Leaving only 30% for patients to pay out-of-pocket.
How can I access medical care in Japan?
By enrolling in National Health Insurance (NHI) if you are not employed by medium to big-sized companies in Japan. In case you are hired as a full-time employee, the company will enroll you in Social Health Insurance (SIH).
What happens if you don’t have health insurance in Japan?
It is your choice to not enroll in any of the insurance from the Japanese government. But you need to pay for medical bills when you get injured or get sick, which can be expensive. For example, consultation with a doctor and a chest X-ray can cost you around USD 340.
Do I need to pay for hospital services in Japan?
Even when you are covered by National Health Insurance (NHI) or Social Health Insurance (SIH), you do have to pay for hospital services. This will help cover not more than 70% of the medical bills, but if you have private health insurance, you might not have to pay for hospital bills at all.
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Comments
2 Comments
What are the procedures for expats in Japan to get reimbursed for medical expenses through their international health insurance? How can expats in Japan access alternative or holistic medical treatments?
To get reimbursed for medical expenses in Japan through your international health insurance, expats should first pay for the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurer. This typically involves submitting receipts, detailed medical reports (translated if necessary), and completed claim forms as required by the insurer. Expats should verify in advance whether their insurance covers specific treatments and if direct billing is available at certain hospitals.
For accessing alternative or holistic treatments, expats can seek out clinics specializing in acupuncture, Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine), or chiropractic care, as these are widely available in Japan. However, coverage for such treatments depends on the insurance policy, so reviewing the terms of your plan or consulting your insurer is recommended.
Contact Pacific Prime today for a free consultation to ensure your health insurance plan meets your needs in Japan, including alternative care options!
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