Job Discussion Forums

[seamonkey]

Hi, i've got a job with nova, and im filling in all the paper work. Id just like some advice regarding the medical insurance offered by nova. Is it a rip off? Is 6800 yen per month about right? This is all new to me, ive never had to pay medical insurance.

[fluffyhamster]

It could well be a rip-off if the insurer is in the process of going bankrupt (I've sure I've read something on Dave's about possible banruptcy of NOVA's insurer, and would do well to check about this myself, as the company that I'll be working for may well be using the same policies!).

I'd advise that you try to opt out of the NOVA scheme for your first year and join the government's health insurance scheme instead (this should be easy enough to sign up for at your local City Hall when you go along to get your foreigner's ID card, and it isn't at all expensive in the first year, but NOVA probably won't want to hear of it let alone help you do it, even if you tell them that you'll be willing to join their alternative insurance scheme instead into your second year, when the national premiums skyrocket and would add a lot to not only your outgoings but the employer's too (I believe the employer is supposed to pay at least half, but it's been a while since I've had an employer who wanted to pay ANY of it, so apologies if I seem a little rusty on the regulations or am totally mistaken)).

The obvious advantage of having the Japanese national health insurance is that it will be accepted without question whenever you need to make use of it.

[Hoser]

I got medical insurance from Canada (basically year long travel insurance) for my first year and it was much cheaper- about a dollar per day. They did refuse to pay some of my claims when I had to go back to the doctor multiple times for the same problem though.
I have to switch now and I think I'll probably just go with JMA just for the lack of hassle. I'm worried that if I switch to Shakai Hoken I'd have to pay an entire year of back payments.

[sallycat]

they don't make you pay back payments on shakai hoken. it is significantly more expensive, but if you want the coverage, go for it -- nova is obligated to support you, and doesn't make a fuss about it. if you don't want to pay the cost of shakai hoken (the government scheme), you may be able to find an international company that offers a better deal than jma.

[yamanote senbei]

Nova's JMA is illegal, and in serious trouble.

http://insurancewrongdoings.blogspot.com/

[stillnosheep]

JMA cannot make you pay back payments for time you were not insured by them. If they are still around in a year they would be glad to have you as a member but you can get far better deals elsewhere.

Shakai hoken is a good deal as Nova would have to pay half your contributions, assuming you qualify as a full or 3/4 time employee.