Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Guide to Health Insurance -- Please contribute!
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:05 pm    Post subject: Guide to Health Insurance -- Please contribute! Reply with quote

Preamble

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation about health insurance. I've tried to bring together all the information and sort facts from opinion. Please let me know if you think there is anything I should add or amend.

This guide is a work in progress. Facts that I am unsure of are marked in red. Significant changes to the guide will be announced in the comments below. Minor edits for clarity and style will not.

This version prepared on 4th February 2010.

Summary

Employers are required to put full-time workers (which usually means those working at least 30 hours / week) on the shakai hoken social health insurance plan (or an equivalent), and pay 50% of their insurance premiums. Many schools avoid paying these premiums by claiming that, since their teachers spend less than 30 hours / week in lessons, they are part-timers. This is contested by teachers' unions.

Teachers who are not on shakai hoken should, by law, enrol themselves on the kokumin kenko hoken social health insurance plan (kokuho for short). There have been few sanctions for breaking this law, and many schools encourage their teachers to take private health insurance instead.

In 2009 the Immigration Bureau announced that, from 1st April 2010, the visa renewal process will include a check on social health insurance. This would have been a big deal for teachers on private insurance because, if they switch to kokuho, they are told that they should have been on kokuho all along, and are asked to make up to 2 years of backpayments. The Japan Time reports that the Bureau has now dropped this requirement.

Some Common Claims

1. Shakai hoken is for all workers, not just full-timers.

This is the view of the General Union, and it may be true according to the letter of the law, but Japan does not follow the letter of the law. The Social Insurance Agency and the judiciary take the view that shakai hoken is only a requirement for full-time workers.

2. If I try to join kokumin kenko hoken as soon as I arrive in Japan, I will have to pay 2 years of backpayments.

Not if you're a new arrival! You only have to pay 2 years of backpayments if you have been resident in Japan for 2+ years or more without social health insurance.

Further Insurance Information

1. shakai hoken (Employee's Health Insurance)

A social medical insurance scheme for salaried employees and their dependents. Employees pay a portion of their salary into the scheme, and employers pay in an equal amount.

If you are on shakai hoken you will also have to pay into a pension fund. If you leave Japan, you can reclaim up to 3 years of pension contributions.

2. shigaku kyousai (Private Schools Mutual Aid Society Insurance)

A mutual-society alternative to shakai hoken. Everything I say about shakai hoken applies equally to shigaku kyousai.

I don't know much about this particular scheme, but many mutual societies offer extra benefits, such as very cheap hotels and restaurants.

3. kokumin kenko hoken (National Health Insurance)

(abbreviated to kokuho)

A social medical insurance scheme designed to plug the gaps left by shakai hoken. It is used by the unemployed, self-employed, and many part-time workers and employees of small firms. kokuho offers slightly fewer medical benefits than shakai hoken.

kokuho is administered at a ward level, and prices vary from ward to ward. Your premiums are calculated from last year's income, so when you first arrive in Japan will find it cheap. After a year, it gets expensive -- dearer than shakai hoken -- although in some cases shakai hoken is only a better deal because the employer has to pay 50%.

Joining kokuho can be very expensive if you have previously been resident in Japan but outside the social insurance system. You could be asked for up to 2 years of backpayments. Some people get around this problem by moving to another ward, since many wards do not share records of contribution histories.

Finally, note that if you have dependents, you will have to buy kokuho for them too. This can make kokuho a much poorer deal than shakai hoken.

4. Private Insurance

Some language schools encourage their staff to subscribe to a preferred private insurance provider. It is widely assumed that schools' keep a portion of the premiums for themselves, which would explain their enthusiasm for these schemes.

Advocates of private insurance point out that some English-speaking clinics do not accept Japanese social insurance, because this would oblige them to accept Japanese speaking patients. [Does anyone have independent verification of this claim?]

Detractors claim that private insurance offers poor value for money and incomplete coverage, often deriding it as "travel insurance". Others complain of specialist treatment being delayed because of uncertainty about what exactly the insurer will pay for.

5. No insurance

Not recommended!

Further Reading

The General Union Health & Pension Branch

http://www.generalunion.org/branch?b=25

Lots of good information, but please note that their interpretation of the law on shakai hoken, with the analogy about speed limits, is not widely accepted.


Last edited by Pitarou on Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:32 pm; edited 8 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Amarok



Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Posts: 47
Location: pineapple under the sea

PostPosted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you! Tipo's posts have been driving me crazy because he's posting from an idealistic/one-track mind while neglecting to acknowledge how things ACTUALLY are in reality. If anyone actually follows his advice and demands shakai hoken from their employer, they're more likely to end up minus one job than with better health insurance, so I really hope nobody has been taking him seriously.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
fluffyhamster



Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again

PostPosted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What would be good is if employers could unofficially bring themselves to simply pay 50% of kokuho. (I'm sure it would work out less overall, and I'm sure I once had an employer who was doing precisely this, on their own kind-hearted philanthropic initiative). As it is, Shakai hoken seems to leave both parties out of pocket, especially the teacher in the first year, whilst a teacher who's alone only paying kokuho meanwhile is obviously going to be the one out of pocket certainly in the second year onwards. But I guess the clincher for the seriously ill, not-so-young or plain hypochondriac will be that 'Kokuho offers fewer benefits than shakai hoken'. (What fewer benefits, specifically, by the way? Oh, and another thing: are pension contributions in some way tied to or demanded along with/potentially part of the Shakai plan? I was rather under that impression. And lastly, please correct me if I'm wrong about anything I've said - I wouldn't want to spoil what seems a great [idea for a] thread, and I've never been much of an expert on insurance, partly because I was often unable to afford ANY of the options LOL).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fluffyhamster wrote:
What would be good is if employers could unofficially bring themselves to simply pay 50% of kokuho. ... I'm sure I once had an employer who was doing precisely this


I never heard of that. If this turns out to be common practice I'll add it to the guide.

fluffyhamster wrote:
As it is, Shakai hoken seems to leave both parties out of pocket, especially the teacher in the first year, whilst a teacher who's alone only paying kokuho meanwhile is obviously going to be the one out of pocket certainly in the second year onwards. But I guess the clincher for the seriously ill, not-so-young or plain hypochondriac will be that 'Kokuho offers fewer benefits than shakai hoken'. (What fewer benefits, specifically, by the way?...)


I was always under the impression that kokuho was slightly inferior and, after the first year, more expensive, but to be honest, I have no hard data. I'll check with my source (a Japanese HR professional) and try to get some hard figures.

I've also amended the guide to say "slightly fewer benefits" rather than "fewer benefits". Smile

Quote:
Oh, and another thing: are pension contributions in some way tied to or demanded along with/potentially part of the Shakai plan? I was rather under that impression.


I believe they are, but I don't know much about that. That's one of the reasons why I restricted myself to talking about health insurance!

Many thanks for pointing out the gaps in my knowledge!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amendments

* I've highlighted in red some of the less certain statements. (Thanks fluffyhamster.)
* Added a section about the No social health insurance? No visa! claim.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
tipo



Joined: 18 Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:20 pm    Post subject: Guide to Health Insurance Reply with quote

I have been accused of misinformation regarding the linkage of visa renewal to health/pension insurance. That has NEVER been my intention. I may have been over the top and used a poor choice of words in stating what is acceptable/unacceptable health/pension insurance in reference to the Kokumen Kenko/Nenkin Hoken.

However, I stand by my comments that all workers should be enrolled onto the shakai hoken. The GU has been active in persuading employers such as ECC to enrole its teachers onto the shakai hoken irrespective of the so called 30 hours/week rule. I think it was the threat of judicial action that finally persuaded ECC. Source: http://www.generalunion.org ECC Branch.

My argument is this. Why pay 100% towards something and receive lesser benefits? When you can pay 50% towards a product and receive better benefits?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Guide to Health Insurance Reply with quote

tipo wrote:
My argument is this. Why pay 100% towards something and receive lesser benefits? When you can pay 50% towards a product and receive better benefits?


I quite agree, and I fully support the GU's efforts to make shakai hoken available to as many teachers as possible.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

50% of Shakai Hoken costs you a little more than 100% of Kokuho (but it may be slightly less when you factor in that it's pension as well, I guess. Both are fine for a normal non-hypochondriac type of person). So if it didn't have more benefits for more than double the price (the 50% you pay and the 50% the employer pays), that would be very strange.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

More Amendments

I've had a long chat with an expert about the differences between kokuho and shakai hoken.

The situation is complicated but, in summary:
    1. The medical benefits of shakai hoken are slightly superior.
    2. shakai hoken provides medical benefits for you and all your dependents.
    3. Even if you are just insuring yourself, kokuho is still a little more expensive, but only because your employer has to pay 50%.
    4. If you are on shakai hoken you also have to pay into a government pension. You can reclaim up to 3 years of pension payments when you leave Japan.


I've also added a little more about Mutual Aid Societies.


Last edited by Pitarou on Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:19 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TokyoLiz



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:03 pm    Post subject: FYI Insurance Reply with quote

Read this? http://www.sia.go.jp/e/ehi.html
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:15 pm    Post subject: Re: FYI Insurance Reply with quote

TokyoLiz wrote:
Read this? http://www.sia.go.jp/e/ehi.html


Thanks, TokyoLiz. I've put a link to that in the article.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



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

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pitarou wrote:
4. If you are on shakai hoken you also have to pay into a government pension. You can reclaim up to 3 years of pension payments when you leave Japan.[/list]
Technically speaking, as tipo would be, even if you are on kokumin, legally you have to take out a pension plan, too. Separate, but still you have to have one (and it carries with it the same lump sum withdrawal option as shakai hoken.

http://www.sia.go.jp/e/lw.html
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glenski wrote:
Technically speaking, as tipo would be, even if you are on kokumin, legally you have to take out a pension plan, too.

The plot thickens.

In my limited experience, there are three kinds of laws in Japan:

- Laws that are enforced. (E.g. murder.)
- Laws that are not not effectively enforced, but could be in future. (E.g. the requirement for kokumin kenko hoken.)
- Laws that are not enforced as a matter of policy. (E.g. shakai hoken for part-time workers.)

Do you know which category this pension requirement falls into?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The first one.

You get letters and then a summons to Tokyo where you have to discuss your outstanding balance. If you miss that, then you will likely have very big problems.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

GambateBingBangBOOM wrote:
The first one.

You get letters and then a summons to Tokyo where you have to discuss your outstanding balance. If you miss that, then you will likely have very big problems.


Ah!! I got it backwards! Embarassed It's a good thing that you and Glenski are on hand to correct me. Thanks.

EDIT: No. I was right the first time. See Claim 6 in the Original Post.


Last edited by Pitarou on Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China