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(1)Joining the Health Insurance System
There is a public medical insurance system in Japan, which will compensate for
part of the medical costs in cases of sickness and injury. Those who are registered
as foreign residents can aquire health insurance under specific conditions. The
insurance payments required to participate in the scheme are
| Insurance Type | Participant | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Social Insurance | Regular company employees and their dependants | The company where employed |
| National Health Insurance | Foreign residents that are registered to stay over one year in Japan, and are not members of the social insurance scheme. | The Health Insurance & Pension Department of the local government office where registered |
(2)Health Insurance Benefits
If you are not a member of a Japanese health insurance scheme, you will have
to pay for all medical expenses. However, if you are a member and present your
insurance card, you can receive medical treatment at an institution and pay only
part of the medical costs. You are also eligible to receive a designated lump-sum
payment in cases of childbirth and death. (Application required.)
(3)Cases Not Covered by Health Insurance
Health insurance does not cover the cost of normal pregnancy/childbirth, corrective
surgery and surgery for cosmetic purposes, or injury caused by fighting or criminal
actions. It also does not cover preventative injections and medical check-ups.
(4)In Case of Traffic Accidents
When health insurance is used for the treatment of injuries caused by a third
person in the case of traffic accidents or other events, the medical costs should
be claimed from the person at fault afterwards. If you have a traffic accident,
immediately contact the police and the insurance authority (Health Insurance & Pension
Department of a ward office for National Health Insurance) for the necessary
procedures. If you mutually resolve with the person at fault or receive money
without going through the proper procedures, you may be asked to pay the medical
costs by yourself. Please be careful in this regard, as Fukuoka is one of the
prefectures with the highest incidence of traffic accidents.
(5)Medical Cost Aid System of Fukuoka City
Fukuoka City has a medical cost aid system which provides medical co-payment
for, children, people with
disabilities, and single parent families. There are, however, specific conditions
under which you may receive this aid. For information, contact the Health Insurance & Pension
Department of the ward office in which you are registered.
※For detailed information on National Health Insurance and the
Fukuoka City Medical Costs Aid System, go to
http://www.city.fukuoka.jp/kokuho/
※When seeking consultation on procedural matters at a ward office, we recommend that you are accompanied by a person who can understand Japanese if you are unable to do so yourself. There is a desk for foreign residents of Fukuoka City at the Higashi Ward Office. Fukuoka City Service Hotline: 092-631-2192 (English on Mondays, Chinese on Thursdays) Operated from 13:00 to 16:00.
