Job Discussion Forums

[ghostrider]

I will be leaving for Japan in about 2 months and have a few questions about diabetic supplies and national health insurance. I'm trying to figure it out with the government (local Japanese consulate, Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, etc.), but would appreciate any help/advice from diabetics already living in Japan.

[markle]

I don't have diabetes or know anyone with it but I did find the contact info for the Japan Diabetes Society the web site is in Japanese but it's a start, good luck.

Members 15000
Telephone +81-3-3815-4364
Fax +81-3-3815-7985
Homepage http://www.jds.or.jp/

[ghostrider]

Thanks. I should have stated what I have already found out on my own (ie, I know how to use google), the Japanese Diabetes Society is one. I think there may be a language barrier with them and am still waiting for a response. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare is another resource I was told to contact and have not received a response from them either. My consulate did respond, only to repeat information found on the MHLW website (this) and tell me they couldn't help me any more than that.

[taikibansei]

[Glenski]

A friend of mine has diabetes and lives in Sapporo. He gets insulin with no problems. What information did you want?

[ghostrider]

Glenski: I hate to bombard you and your friend with questions, but he could possibly help me (and hopefully others) a lot.

Can you ask him if he uses an insulin pump and if Japanese national health insurance cover a portion of the cost of purchasing a pump and the supplies for it?

I use a pump here, but the manufacturer of my pump does not sell supplies in Japan, so I'd have to purchase supplies here under my insurance and take them with me or ship them over (this is where I'm having trouble).

If pumps and supplies are easy to obtain in Japan and don't cost a fortune (if they're under health insurance coverage), that'll probably solve my problem as I'll just bring 2-3 month's supply for my current pump (somehow, supposedly a 1 month restriction), and switch to a Japanese one asap. If not, it's going to be really difficult.

Also, can you ask him what blood glucose test machines and test strips are covered by Japanese national health insurance in Japan? I have a OneTouch Ultra machine and 2 Abbot Freestyle Flash machines.

Lastly, is Novolog, Humalog, Lantus, and Humulin NPH available and covered by NHI insurance? Thanks!

[Glenski]

For now I can tell you this. My friend is on pills to control his diabetes. I will try contacting him for more info, but I went to a drugstore tonight and remembered your situation, so I asked the pharmacist.

Shakai hoken (corporate health insurance) pays for insulin pumps and blood check kits. I didn't ask which types, but the pharmacist made it clear that if you just go to a drugstore, you won't get such things paid by health insurance. You will have to have them prescribed by a physician at a hospital and buy them at the hospital pharmacy in order to get insurance to pay for them. (Probably the usual 70-80%, not 100%).

[ghostrider]

Thank you so much. That's great to hear. I might not have to worry about buying more than a few months advance supply.

I'm going to try to recontact the JDS and MHLW after I have a Japanese friend of mine translate my emails into Japanese.

[degato]

Brining this subject back to life.My wife is Type 1 diabetic and we got a job offer in Japan starting March 2015. Is there any new information on how to purchase insulin pens and test strips/kits in Japan? Specifically in Nagoya. Thank you.

[Maitoshi]

For a second, I thought Glenski was back, then I noticed the dates on this one. Wow! What if his ears were burning from that other thread and he suddenly reappeared?

[kzjohn]

[Shimokitazawa]

But how advanced is Japanese medical technology? I've heard over and over again how the system here exists in its own bubble.

Simple things like getting pain killers or types of requested anesthesia do not exist here.

Even getting proper flu inhalers seems to be a challenge.

A buddy at work told me about his herniated disc in his back and the nurse wanted to put something up his ass instead of a prescription for morpheme or a shot. They do things so differently here, not to mention that he was mis-diagnosed several times.

The whole medical philosophy and system is so different than what is offered in the UK, US, Canada and other western countries.

I am very wary of Japanese doctors and hospitals. The whole system here is terrible; hospitals used as hotels - procedures that are outpatient back in the US required two weeks in the hospital in Japan. Not to mention the outdated techniques that doctors in Japan use compared to western doctors and hospitals.

What I'm saying is, the Japanese medical system exists in its own vacuum. And do not expect them to speak any English, like many nurses and doctors do in Taiwan, Thailand or even Korea.

[Dane Wessex]

Is it safe to assume that Glipizide is available in Japan? I have diabetes T2, but my blood sugar levels are good, and all I need is a small dose of glipizide (well, that and not entering any chocolate cake-eating competitions ) . Glipizide is the most common diabetes medication in the world (I think)