Job Discussion Forums

[capper]

I know that this issue has been discussed on many occasions. However, I unfortunately still do not have a concrete answer.

I joined the Japanese National Health Plan in January of 2003. I have recently decided that I would like to discontinue the plan and opt for a foreign health insurance company instead. I went to my local ward office and asked them what steps I must take in order to withdraw from the plan. They told me that if I simply no longer make payments on it, I will automatically be withdrawn from it. However, if in the future I choose to be reinstated into the plan, I will have to backpay from the date that I stopped my payments.

That all sounded very simple and straightforward to me. Once I withdraw, I have no intention of going back on the plan in the future. I figured that this was the way to go. Unfortunately, I seem to be hearing a lot of other stories and information from people regarding this very same matter. Things such as "you cannot withdraw from the plan." "If you do, the govt. can legally seize your assets." I have heard several others tell me to go to the ward office and say that I am leaving the country indefinitely and to turn my health card in. I am hearing a tremendous amount of different things from lots of aquaintances etc... I suppose that my concern is that the information I received from the ward office was not exactly correct. I understand that people have had problems with owing huge outstanding amounts after they no longer made payments for several years.

I really need clarification if anyone out there really has a concrete answer regarding this matter. I want to do the right thing here and avoid creating future problems for myself. On the other hand, I would prefer a health plan that covers me for more than 70% and is more cost efficient.

Thanks.

[doggar]

I get the feeling that most ward office workers dont know jack about the system, or it just varies from person to person and ward to ward.
I joined the system, and they charged me for 1 year's back payments. Naturally I didn't want to pay it, so I changed my address to a gaijin house in another ward for 3 weeks, changed it back and I think I'm cancelled. They told me that when you move you have to re register at the new ward, else you wont have any insurance. I should have re registered to make sure I was cancelled in my current ward.
But- haven't heard back from them yet so I think I'm out of the national health system. If not, I'll change my address again, re register in the new ward and it'll be cancelled for sure.
good luck

[Synne]

I don't mean to be off topic here, sorry in advance if I am, but how much is basic health insurance for one year in Japan?

[PAULH]