National Health Insurance

Japan has a universal healthcare system, where any person who has an address in Japan must enroll in public health insurance programs, such as National Health insurance (NHI). As part of the medical expenses are covered by insurance benefits, your actual payment for care at medical institutions is quite low.

All registered residents of Chuo City are obligated to enroll in public health insurance.

People Who Are Ineligible for National Health Insurance

Those who have not completed resident registration in Chuo City
Those who have already joined another public health insurance plan (e.g., employee’s health insurance plan), and their dependents
Those who have already joined the latter-stage elderly healthcare system
Those who receive public assistance
Anyone in Japan under the visa status of designated activities for one of the purposes below:

Receiving medical treatment (including anyone providing daily 　support for the patient)
Living in Japan for one year or less for sightseeing, rest or other similar activities (including accompanying spouses)

When Notifications Are Necessary

If any of the situations listed below occur, complete the necessary procedures within 14 days at the Health Insurance and Pension Section of the City Office. The eligibility for NHI begins from the day you must enroll, not from the day you file notification. In some cases you will not be able to receive insurance benefits unless you file a notification within 14 days.

When you must join National Health Insurance

Upon completing resident registration in Chuo City
Upon leaving your employer (i.e., when you are no longer covered by your employer’s health insurance program)
Upon the birth of a baby
Upon termination of public assistance

When you must withdraw from National Health Insurance

When you move out of Chuo City or leave Japan
When you start working (join an employee’s health insurance plan)
Upon the policyholder’s death
When you start to receive public assistance

Other cases

Upon a change in the householdʼs members or address
Upon the need to have the insurance card reissued due to loss or other reason

Insurance Premiums

Once enrolled in National Health Insurance, you must pay premiums. Premiums are calculated by household unit, based on income of the previous year and the number of household members. The head of the household is responsible for making the payments.

Inquiries:

Qualification Subsection, Health Insurance and Pension Section (Chuo City Office)

Tel: 03-3546-5362

Payment of Insurance Premiums

The due date for paying the NHI premiums is the end of every month. There are three ways to pay: (1)Paying using a payment invoice, (2)arranging for automatic deductions from your bank account, and (3)deductions from your pension.

Annual premiums are divided into 10 payments made from June to

March of the following year

(1)Payment using a payment invoice

Each year in June, a payment invoice is mailed from the Health Insurance and Pension Section of the Chuo City Office. The payment must be made by the due date at a local financial institution, the Health Insurance and Pension Section or a special branch office, or a convenience store. Insurance premium payments can be made at convenience stores even at night or on Saturdays

and Sundays.

(2)Automatic deductions from your bank account

To use this method, submit a bank transfer request form to the Health Insurance and Pension Section or a special branch office.

Account holders can also complete this procedure by directly bringing their cash card.

(3)Deductions from your pension

If your entire household is made up of persons between the ages of 65 and 74, and the head of household receives a pension exceeding a certain amount, insurance premiums are paid through automatic deductions from their pension. In this case, an insurance premium covering two months is deducted from the pension, paid on even months. In addition, you may also change the deduction method so that payment is deducted from your bank account.

Inquiries:

Receiving Subsection, Health Insurance and Pension Section (Chuo City Office)

Tel: 03-3546-5365

National Health Insurance Coverage

If you present your insurance card when you obtain medical care at a hospital or other healthcare facility due to illness or injury, NHI will cover the majority of the cost. The amount you pay to the hospital (out-of-pocket expenses) is as follows (please note that the system may be revised and changed):

Preschoolers (up to the end of the fiscal year [March 31] in which he/she reaches 6 years of age)

20% of medical expenses

Elementary school children (from April 1 of the fiscal year in which he/she reaches 6 years of age) to persons under 70 years of age:

30% of medical expenses

Between 70 and 74 years of age

20% of medical expenses (30% for those whose income exceeds a certain amount)

Cases Where Insurance Coverage Is Not Available (When You Are Responsible for Paying the Full Cost of Medical Care)

When the necessary notifications are not made within 14 days, with the exception of extraordinary circumstances
When a patient is treated at a hospital or other medical facility that does not accept insurance even though an alternate hospital or medical facility that does accept insurance is available
When a patient receives treatment not covered by insurance
When a patient becomes ill or injured intentionally, due to a criminal act, fight, drunkenness, etc.

Reimbursement for High Medical Expenses

When the out-of-pocket expenses a patient pays to a hospital or other medical facility after presenting his/her insurance card exceeds the maximum amount for out-of-pocket expenses, the patient can apply to have the excess amount reimbursed later as a high medical expense.

Childbirth Subsidy

When an insured person under NHI has a baby, they can receive a childbirth subsidy.

Subsidy for Funeral Costs

When an insured person under NHI passes away, a subsidy for the funeral costs will be paid to the person who arranged the funeral.

Inquiries:

Benefits Subsection, Health Insurance and Pension Section (Chuo City Office)

Tel: 03-3546-5360

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