National
Health Insurance "Kokumin Kenko Hoken"
Japan has a system of nationalized health insurance which attempts
to provide coverage to all segments of the population. The government
actively encourages the citizens of Japan to subscribe to this insurance,
and the system of nationalized medicine is seen as a method to provide
medical treatment to all based on the patient's needs regardless of
the ability to pay.
Japanese law states that any foreign resident living in Japan
for more than one year must subscribe to the national Health Insurance
or one of the other approved insurance policies.
The National health Insurance rates are based on one's income
for the previous year. A foreigner arriving in Japan can sign up for
the program and be provided with the standard coverage for a relatively
inexpensive monthly fee. Although, your first year's rate will be
very low, expect an increase in your rate after your first year. This
is an unfortunate increase, but it can be partly balanced by the very
inexpensive rates you can expect for your first year.
National Health Insurance covers your visits to the doctor
[which, in Japanese system of health care usually visits to the hospital
or to a clinic], dental expenses, and the cost of prescribed medicines.
The coverage does not cover costs for childbearing (unless complications
arise) nor for eyeglasses nor contact lens prescriptions. Under the
basic coverage system, you pay for 30% of your medical costs and the
insurance covers the other 70%.
When you apply for the insurance, you will be issued a card
showing your name and the names of any other persons on your policy
(spouse or dependents). You must present this card at the time of
your treatment. When you show the card to the hospital or clinic staff,
you will be charged 30% of your treatment's cost, and the hospital
or clinic will contact the National Insurance program to collect the
rest of their fees. Not having your card with you can cause delays
and inconveniences, therefore we recommend that you keep it with you
at all times. (Be assured, however, that you will not be refused emergency
treatment because you do not have your insurance card with you.)
The monthly insurance payments are collected in the city office'sCitizens'
Affairs Section on the first business day of every month. You may
arrange to have the fee collected through a monthly electronic transfer
from your bank account, the insurance program will send you a notification
of receipt every month.
When changing your name, address, health insurance policy, or
moving out of town, you should report that information to the Non-Japanese
Registration Office at the city office. Also please return the insurance
policy there, when you leave Takayama.
Once again, please keep in mind that the calculation of the
premium is different from person to person according to the size of
family, income, property and other factors and it changes every year.
For detailed information, please contact the Citizens' Affairs Section
or the International Affairs Office of the city office.
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Medical
Check-up "Kenshin"
The Health Promotion Section of the city provides various medical
check-ups for adults, for the purpose of prevention and early detection
of ailments. Once you have completed Non-Japanese Registration, you
can receive these examinations. The schedule of these check-ups is
announced in a public notice called "Koohoo Takayama", distributed
free of charge by the city's Public Relations Office. (However, this
publication is in Japanese. If you do not already receive it, please
contact the city office's Public Relations Office or the International
Affairs Office.) You can also ask the Health Promotion Section.
They provide check-ups such as General Medical Check-ups, Stomach
or Colon Cancer Tests, Uterine Cancer Tests, Tuberculosis Tests, and
Breast Cancer Tests.
If you subscribe to the National Health Insurance, you can apply
for the general medical check-up program which is held twice a year
with a fairly low fee. If you have any questions please contact the
International Affairs Office for more information (35-3130).
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Hospitals
and Clinics "Byouin & Isha"
Generally, there is no appointment required for treatments except
for dentistry. Most hospitals and clinics see patients on a first
come first served basis.
When you go to a hospital or clinic, present your health insurance
certificate at the reception desk. Then, inform the receptionist what
is wrong, or which department you wish to go to, and follow the instructions
of the receptionist. After examination and treatment, you must pay
your bill at the cashier.
Each hospital and clinic has different business hours. Please
check them before you visit.
If you do not speak Japanese, it would be better to go to the
hospital or clinic with a friend who can interpret for you.
There are two main hospitals in Takayama: the Takayama Red Cross
Hospital and the Kumiai Hospital.
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HEALTH