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nawlinsgurl

I've done a search here and found some stuff on the different healthcare providers in Japan. I currently don't have any healthcare plan-just pay as I go, knock on wood---I'm pretty healthy right now. But my husband and I are thinking of starting a family in the next year, so I'm trying to do some serious research now. We can't get the National healthcare plan b/c of our visa, so I've looked into Global, Health one, Medone, and also Expat. Any personal experiences with these or other companies? I basically don't want to get screwed by any company. Thanks in advance for your help!! Smile

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

What visa do you have that prohibits you from getting National Health Insurance?

eslteach555 · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 18

I have had very good experiences with Global. They paid for exactly what they said they would; it was all written in plain English, and they paid very quickly.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject:

Hey Glenski: You can't get any Nat'l Healthcare under a SOFA visa (Status of Forces Agreement). A lot of contractors who work on base (and are not military) are not eligible for the military healthcare, Tricare, but cannot also use Shakihoken or Komihoken(sp?) We can't use it b/c technically we are not under Japanese law. For ex. if we commit a crime, we may get arrested by Japanese police, but ultimately they turn us over the military jail. Sounds crazy? I know, but this is how it was explained to me and many others. So some wives of contractors work in the "Japanese economy" and pay some regulatory tax, but cannot receive benefits of the Japanese govt. such as healthcare, having a gaijin card, and etc. So we have to find other outlets for healthcare UNLESS we use the military hospital which charges us 100%.

Hope that clarifies.

Like I said, a lot of people are in the same situation b/c they're spouses simply work for or are contractors on a military base. There are some benefits to having a SOFA visa like getting a Y plate car (cheaper shaken and etc) including cheap gas, being able to use the US post office and stores on base, and not having to pay re-entry permit fees or dealing with the Japanese office in Yokohama. But the really IMPORTANT stuff you need help with like housing and healthcare, the military just screws you over with. And its kinda sad b/c most of the contractors are ex-military members who do a lot of important jobs that no one else wants to or are skilled to do for the US military bases to function in Japan.

eslteach555: THANKS! Most of search found ok stuff for Global. There aren't many choices so we may go with them...

ndorfn · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 126

i've made small and large claims with global health and they paid up so no complaints. now I'm on the lowest (bronze) plan which doesn't pay for small claims, which is ok cause I have a pretty healthy lifestyle and don't go to doctors for small things.