Job Discussion Forums

[coalminer Lisa]

Hi all. So, I got a job offer with Nova, and I'm trying to do a cost/benefit analysis to see if it is worth it to go. My main concern is the problem with health insurance. I've been on anti-depressants for several years, and it seems that I am SOL as far as this pre-existing condition goes. Also, some of the international/ex-pat health insurance policies don't cover birth control, and whoops, if you get preggers, they don't cover pre-natal or birthing costs. I know that the nova insurance, JMA, won't cover my depression meds-- are there any insurance companies that will? Or, if not, how much can I expect to pay out of pocket for drugs?

Thank you!!!!

[worldwidealive]

You can join the national health insurance scheme. It will cost about 2500 Yen a month in your first year, but jumps up quite a bit in year two (20,000 Yen +) and on as it is based on your past year's salary. It will cover any pre-existing conditions, birth control and pregnancy but you will pay 30% of any medical bills up to a limit. I don't know too much more as I have a private plan and had no pre-existing conditions to worry about. Others should be able to give more details.

You should also confirm in some way that the meds you need are available in Japan. While they have just about anything that can be found in an English-speaking western country, it's not true 100% of the time.

There is a lot of discussion going on right now with Nova and their legal requirement to sign people up for the national health plan and to do away with JMA altogether, but the results are yet to be seen and it is unlikely that anything will change anytime soon.

Good luck,
WWA

[PAULH]