Job Discussion Forums

[GreenCardigan]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding the Japanese National Health Care Scheme. Here's my situation:

I know that by law, non-Japanese (foreigners) staying in Japan over a year must be enrolled in the national health care insurance plan (paying into it).

I taught for two years on the JET programme and was covered under the National Health Care system. I stayed in Japan after JET, but was no longer covered under the National health care system. Since September 1st 2007, I have not been covered under any plan.

However, I would now like to obtain health insurance. I've looked at a couple of private insurers as well as the government plan, offered through ku-yakusho to self-employed or part-time workers.

My question is: if I enroll in the Japanese Government plan will I be forced to pay retroactively from the date I was last covered? Or do I simply begin paying from the date that I enroll in the National health care plan for foreigners?

This question is a toughie. So far I've stumped everyone I've asked.

GreenCardigan,

[markle]

As I understand your situation, you've not left the country, you will be required to pay retrospectively. I could be wrong, but I would be surprised if I was.

[steki47]

That NHI stuff is pretty sticky. Markle may be right in that you will have to pay retroactively. For how long? Year? Year and a half?
Maybe you could take a trip overseas and say you left the country.
If you had Shakai Hoken, maybe you can switch to Kokumin Hoken this time around.

[Glenski]

Why didn't you remain on the health insurance plan?

You will indeed be required to make backpayments up to 2 years' worth. Negotiate with the ward office on making monthly payments instead of one big one.

[reasonJP]

You will have to pay retroactively from when you were last covered unless you have moved to a different city hall/ ward office's jurisdiction in that period, in which case you will pay retroactively from the date you moved.

[GreenCardigan]

Here`s a question: if I go with a private insurer and do not re-enter the public one, will I be forced to pay retroactively for the publich healthcare that I didn't use?

Furthermore, what would you guys suggest is best: private or public

Finally, any good private insurers you could recommend

My timeline is as follows:
July 31st 2007(leave JET)
September 1st 2007 to March 31st 2008, unisured.
April 1st to May 31st, insured under the Japanese National Health System through employer.
June 1st to present, unisured.
(December-small trip to Singapore; could this be used in any way as a loophole�)

Glen, I quit the National Health Insurance the same time I left the JET Programme and, as I was not sure how long I would stay in the country, decided not to enroll into the public nor a private plan.

[Glenski]

If you get a private plan, there is nothing to make backpayments on with national. Only if you sign up (re-sign up) for it will you have to make those backpayments.

[GreenCardigan]

Glen, appreciate your responses. However, my questions pertain to health-care insurance and not what I was doing work-wise. Anyhow, I appreciate your advice.

Any good private insurers you can recommend

I`ve got three options 1)public (make the back payments) 2) private (no back payments) 3) no insurance

Funnily enough, I`m leaning towards number 3.

[Apsara]

I wouldn't do number 3. As well as it being technically illegal, I know too many people who have been in traffic accidents in Japan, and they could have been millions of yen out of pocket/in debt if they hadn't had insurance.

Go with GlobalHealth or a similar private insurer if you don't want to make back payments- it's only about �10,000 a month at current exchange rates and you don't risk financial ruin, or your health.

[steki47]

[Glenski]

Although I don't know private insurance companies, I would definitely NOT opt for no insurance at all. Too dangerous here.

[GreenCardigan]

"Trick is how long will you be in Japan. Just a couple of years, I would say go for the cheaper (way cheaper) private insurance."

Are there any private insurers you can recommend? Websites that you know of that you could pass along?

I've done a bit of searching and I haven't been able to find much else besides GlobalHealth. Strange that they'd be the only ones.

I guess it's appropriate to say that I wish everyone good health.

Green Cardigan,

[reasonJP]

[steki47]