Health Insurance Coverage(医療保険)
Health Insurance Coverage
National Health Insurance
It is mandatory for all residents of Japan, with a few exceptions, to be enrolled in a health insurance plan. Foreign nationals who are permitted to stay in Japan for more than three months are generally required to enroll. However, you do not need to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system if any of the following apply:
・You are enrolled in the Health Insurance System for Seniors.
・You are enrolled in an employer-sponsored health insurance plan.
・You are receiving benefits under the Seikatsu Hogo (Public Assistance) Program.
If you obtain employer-sponsored health insurance (Shakai Hoken) or another health insurance plan, you must complete the necessary procedures at City Hall to withdraw from the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. If you later wish to re-enroll in NHI, you
must apply at City Hall and submit proof that you have left your previous employer. After enrolling in NHI, you will receive either a paper health insurance card or, if you use your My Number Card as your health insurance card, an NHI Eligibility Verification Letter. Please bring your health insurance card or My Number Card whenever you visit a medical
institution. Under Japan's universal health care system, insured individuals generally pay 30% of their medical expenses (terms and conditions apply). NHI members are also eligible for annual health checkups at little or no cost.
[Contact Information]
・National Health Insurance Procedures – Hikone Health Insurance Division
・NHI Premiums Calculation – Hikone Health Insurance Division
・To Discuss a Payment Plan for NHI Premiums – Hikone Credit Management Division
1 Shakai Hoken (an employer-sponsored health insurance)
Please get in touch with the company you work for if you
have any questions with regard to Shakai Hoken.
2 Kokumin Kenko Hoken (National Health Insurance)
Those who are not covered by Shakai Hoken or any other
health insurance are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance.
3 Koki Koreisha Iryo Seido (Medical Care System for the Elderly)
"Kouki Koureisha Iryou Hoken" is the health insurance system for people aged 75 and older. There is no need to apply or complete any paperwork to join this system. City Hall will mail a Kouki Koureisha Iryou card to your registered address when you or someone in your household turns 75 years old. Please note that if your health insurance is integrated with your My Number Card, you will instead receive a Kouki Koureisha Iryou eligibility verification notice. Please present the eligibility verification notice or your My Number Card when visiting a medical facility. Insured individuals pay 10% to 30% of their medical expenses, depending on their annual income (terms and conditions apply). This health insurance system requires each insured person to pay monthly health insurance premiums. For more information, please contact the Hikone Insurance and Pension Division.
Required Documents To Enroll In National Health Insurance In Hikone
| 1. | (a) | If only a person him/herself who has left a job wants to enroll, one of the following is required. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A document certifying his/her health insurance has ended, resignation certificate, or employment separation certificate | |||||||||
| (b) | If only a depedent(s) wants to enroll, the following document is required. | ||||||||
| A document certifying his/her health insurance has ended (showing the date a dependent lost his/her health insurance.) | |||||||||
| ※ | Please note that, without a required document specified above, you will not be able to enroll in NHI. | ||||||||
| 2. | Inkan (name seal) *With a written signature for the NIH enrollment process, no Inkan is needed. | ||||||||
| 3. | Identification of a person filing an NHI application. (A residence card, driver's license, Plastic My Number card, etc.) | ||||||||
| 4. | My Number Information (A plastic My Number card, My Number notification card/letter, etc.) | ||||||||
| 5. | A Letter of Attorny *Necessary if someone not from the same household as an applicant does the NHI enrollment process. | ||||||||
| 6. | A Passbook and Inkan Used for a Bank *Necessary only if an appliant wants to pay NHI premiums by bank transfer. | ||||||||
※ All people under 60 must sign up for the Japan National Pension System too.
MUST END NHI ONCE JOINED ANOTHER HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN!!
Once you joined an employer-sponsored health insurance plan (Shakai Hoken) or became a dependent of someone covered by a different type of health insurance, you are required to complete necessary procedures to withdraw from NHI at the Hikone Health Insurance and Pension Division or each branch office of the Hikone city hall. You need to return your NHI card to the city of Hikone during the withdrawal process, and therefore, bring your NHI card on you.
Moreover, please do not use your NHI card after you received your new health insurance card.
Requirements to Withdraw from the National Health Insurance Coverage
- A New Health Insurance Card
- An National Health Insurance Card
- Passbook・Inkan (needed in the case of an overpayment refund)
更新日：2026年10月29日