Job Discussion Forums

elizabeth · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 28

I apologise if this question has already been asked:

Which company do you use for health insurance and how much does it cost?

I have a copy of Global Health Insurance rates, 200 U.S. per quarter. I'm not sure how competitive this is?

I'm British and used to free health insurance! Is it necessary to get covered? Has anyone recently forked out for hospital bills? expensive?

Cheers Razz

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

elizabeth,

Some places require that you have some form of health insurance. It can be any kind in some cases (NOVA, for example), or it might have to be a specific Japanese type (government jobs, for example).

National health insurance costs about 2500 yen per month for 10 months (12 months of coverage, though) in your first year in Japan. After that, it skyrockets to 20,000 - 40,000 yen/month. Prices vary on your location, number of dependents, dependent's salary, and your income that year and previous year. With NHI, you pay 30% of your medical bills (including prescriptions).

The corporate plan in Japan allows you to pay 20% of the bills. I don't know how much you pay in premiums, though.