Job Discussion Forums

AndyinNZ · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

I'm heading to Japan soon to work with Westgate.
I understand that national health insurance covers 70% of costs, but I'm worried that maybe the other 30% could be significant.
Do folks take out other forms of insurance, ie travel insurance, to cover the possibility of the other 30%, or not bother and hope for the best?

ta
Andy

ssjup81 · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:03 am Post subject:

I just figured that 30% you pay out of pocket, depending on the amount, like if it's higher than average, you pay on it monthly.

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

For the sake of argument here, let's just consider a single individual (unmarried, no dependents), ok? Let's also assume you are under 40 (over which the premiums go up).

There are also differences between corporate health insurance (shakai hoken http://www.sia.go.jp/e/ehi.html ), which is mandatorily tied to pension, or citizen's health insurance (kokumin kenko hoken), for which pension is a separate application? Some employers avoid the copayments into your premiums for the former type, so you are forced to take the latter (or risk it with private/foreign insurance). Westgate is one of those situations:
http://www.westgate.co.jp/application/university.php/2

Yes, you are responsible for 30% of the bill, usually required up front at the time you leave the clinic/hospital.

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski, I find it very interesting that national health care doesn't cover pregnancy and child birth in Japan. In America it's one of the few things government insurance will pony up for. Are the costs for a normal birth very low or something?

(sorry for hijacking the thread Embarassed

)

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Although national health doesn't cover pregnancy and childbirth, separate government grants do, as mentioned above. I believe around 300,000 yen is reimbursed, and it is now paid in installments, partway through the pregnancy and then after the baby is born. It doesn't cover 100% of the costs apparently but goes a fair way towards covering them.

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

I confirm Apsara's comment. We got back 300,000 yen for our child's birth, and my school was even nice enough to chip in a bit, too.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

It seems like a way better deal than if you and your family do not have health care in the US and cannot get the government to pay.

I do understand that in Japan, the cost for health care is a lot cheaper than in the US. Doctors and insurance companies gouged the hell out of prices for medication and basic health care.

I did have high hopes about a national health care system in the US but because of one state (Massachusetts ) It may never happen.

It will be interesting to see what I get in Japan as far as health care ect.. i know the pain meds are not as powerful... and getting birthcontrol maybe a a problem but it will be interesting.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hmm, the US and its aversion to a nationalised health system has always mystified me. Pretty much every other developed country in the world has one, and it works well enough.

As for the Pill, this comes up a lot, but if you want to use a particular kind of birth control, bring a large supply with you or have it sent over. If you want to get it here, there are no problems whatsoever with having it prescribed, it's just that it's not popular here so not many Japanese women are using it. Availability is not an issue though.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

yes, we have to pay the other 30% but there is a max amount per month.
In other words you don't have to pay an enormous amount if there is an emergency. You have to pay up to a certain amount (I forgot how much it is) anything over this you do not have to pay

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski, I think you misunderstood lenoreelux totally. I very much doubt she is talking about epidurals and the like- she is talking about birth control,
so it seems unlikely she is planning to have a baby any time soon, and I'm guessing that by "pain meds" she simply means analgesics and anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol etc.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

I was thinking pain meds for just general pain.. but sometimes you might need pain meds after the birth to deal with the new baby ;-P (joking!!)

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

also often what happens is;
your fellow workers (Japanese) give a gift when a child is born, at least I have experienced this custom. In my experience it was 10,000 from each person. So this will add up too (??) but I am sure not all companies do this

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