Job Discussion Forums

Ilka · Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Ottawa/Boston

Hi!
I'm an ex-JET who stayed in Japan, working privately. I'm looking for a cheap health insurance provider (who won't give me the run around... have had bad experiences!! Evil or Very Mad

)
Can anyone give me some advice on this?
Thanks!

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Can you give some info as to who/how you got the runaround so we know what not to recommend?

Ilka · Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Ottawa/Boston

I am currently with Interglobal (aka Global Health)... they are REALLY delayed on giving you claims... I'm STILL waiting for a claim I filed last AUGUST! So, now that I'll be self employed come April, I want to switch to a cheap and realiable insurance company. Any suggestions?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

That's what I was afraid you'd say. Interglobal IS by far the cheapest health insurance provider for ex-pats. For good or bad, any alternative that I've researched to date has been at least double the price of what you are paying right now.

If you don't mind paying about double the premiums you are now, I can provide yopu with the name of another company. I would have to look into my files at home though -- the info was sent to me over a year ago so it's not at my fingertips.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

[quote="Ilka"]I am currently with Interglobal (aka Global Health)... they are REALLY delayed on giving you claims... I'm STILL waiting for a claim I filed last AUGUST! So, now that I'll be self employed come April, I want to switch to a cheap and realiable insurance company. Any suggestions?[/quote]

The above is why I went with Japanese natural. I recently got a shoulder injury in a judo contest. I paid very little and didn't have to wait to be reimburse. I can't understand why anyone would go with Global, they take months to reimburse you. And if you don't have the money you don't get treated.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

John: Can you provide any further info on the company you use? Ie. phone number, e-mail address, website URL, etc... ???

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

I use Japanese national health insurance. All you have to do to sign up is go to the city ward office. This national health insurance is so convenient because hospitals know it, and one doesn't have to pay up front. The first year is really cheap too. I must admit the second year they raised my rate more than double. But as I wrote, I had a minor shoulder separation competing in a judo match. If I would of been on Global I would of had to withdraw from my savings to pay for the treatment. But since I was on national health, I paid very little, almost nothing. The service was great too!
Global I had to pay up front before getting any treatment. And waited months before being reimbursed. If anyone has any other questions I will check back.

One side note. I was paranoid of being treated by doctors in Japan from what I wrote. But to my relief, they did an excellent job helping me recover and heal my shoulder.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:19 am Post subject:

So basically--the best insurance is the Japanese national health scheme? Global isn't good, right?? Are there any other good providers out there for people who don't want/aren't eligible for the national health plan???

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

nawlinsgurl wrote:

So basically--the best insurance is the Japanese national health scheme? Global isn't good, right?? Are there any other good providers out there for people who don't want/aren't eligible for the national health plan???

Why aren't you eligible for national health plan? If you do find another one that is cheaper and as convenient, I hope you post the infor!

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

I think InterGlobal is very good and prompt with their payments. It is much cheaper for someone, including life insurance and travel insurance than using Japanese Health Care after your first year.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

If you plan to stay for a year then yeah, national healthcare is the way to go... Anything longer than that, I fail to see how 30,000 yen a month is cheap!

On the other hand, everyone is different and if you do sports like judo or surfing (in my case) you may have troubles getting private companies (like Interglobal) to cover you. Also bear in mind that under national healthcare no one will ask you about pre-existing conditions... You are covered.

Under the national healthcare plan, aside from your monthly premiums you are still responsible for 30% of your medical bill when you see a doctor...

As an aside, being a civil servant, I am REQUIRED to have national healthcare (they just deduct it from my paycheque).... I had a late night visit to the emergency room at the hospital last month and I paid through the NOSE! 6,000 yen just to have the doctor look at me and tell me he could do absoultely nothing, not even an x-ray or a painkiller and that I should go to a clinic the next day! (I was in a scooter accident and I came in looking like I was in a bad bar brawl).... No ambulance involved either -- my friend who lived close to where I crashed drove me in his car.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:51 am Post subject:

My husband's job and my visa status restricts me from the National health plan...so I'm looking for another option.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject:

I no longer have a "gaijin card". Also, we are on a SOFA visa, so we don't pay any taxes into the Japanese economy, therefore I am not eligible for the National Health Plan.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

nawlinsgurl wrote:

I no longer have a "gaijin card". Also, we are on a SOFA visa, so we don't pay any taxes into the Japanese economy, therefore I am not eligible for the National Health Plan.

Please excus my ignorance, but what is a SOFA visa?

About insurance. I guess your only option is a private international insurance company like Global or anyone else you come across. I would look around. I had a bad experience with Global they took almost four months to reimburse me. But someone else posted he or she has had a good experience with Global!