Japan Health Insurance
Beyond the clichéd images of kimono-clad geisha and ancient temples
on mist-shrouded hills, Japan offers contrasts from rich
artistic heritage and natural wonders to modern culture,
futuristic cities and trend-setting technology. The largest
producer of automobiles and the third largest economy in the
world, Japan sits in Eastern Asia, forming an island chain to
the east of the Korean Peninsula, between the Sea of Japan and
the North Pacific Ocean. Commonly referred to as ‘the land of
the rising sun’ Japan has an archipelago of over 6,800 islands
and a treasure chest of temples, shrines, vibrant cities,
historical marvels and culinary attractions, complimented by
the gracious hospitality of locals. While the country has a
modern economy and a highly developed and stable democracy, it
produces negligible natural resources, confirming it as the
world’s largest importer of liquefied natural gas and the
second-largest importer of oil.
High density living is common in Japan with the population
of 126.4 million inhabitants (CIA, 2011), residing in cities
and towns established on approximately 18 percent of Japan’s
total 364,485 square kilometers of land. Much of the country
is covered by mountains, many of which are active volcanoes,
including one of its famous landmarks, Mount Fuji. Four
distinct seasons are experienced in the north, which has short
summers and lengthy winters. In contrast, a subtropical
climate is enjoyed on the southern islands, where several
climatic differences occur due to the length of the
archipelago. Tourist facilities are widely available, although
not operating fully in the coastal areas of the northeast,
which was devastated by the country’s most powerful earthquake
and the accompanying tsunami in 2011, which killed thousands
of people. Despite a well-established and high quality health
system, visitors and short-term residents in Japan require
international medical insurance, as costs of treatment in the
country are high, and those without long-term visas are
ineligible for public healthcare.
Japan Health Care and Insurance
Japan boasts one of the world’s highest life expectancy
rates of 79 years for males and 85 years for females (CIA,
2011), which is largely attributed to its well established
healthcare and universal health insurance system. The Ministry
of Health, Labour and Welfare governs public healthcare,
overseeing a number of Government-run agencies which operate
in the sector. One such agency is the Health Service Bureau,
responsible for identifying measures for improvement of public
health, education, disease-prevention measures and evaluating
environmental health. This works in conjunction with the
Health Policy Bureau, charged with overseeing medical care
provision through local governments in the various
prefectures, and also with the Health Insurance Bureau,
responsible for the medical insurance system. Public funds,
such as tax payments through national and local government,
individual co-payments and insurance premiums are the
financial resources from which funding of the sector is drawn.
Japan’s health insurance is compulsory for long-term
residents, of which two main schemes operate: a national
health insurance, administered by local governments and an
employee health insurance program. The amount which patients
must co-pay for personal medical services depends on age.
Typically the majority of individuals, who have an income
comparable to the current workforce, pay a maximum of 30
percent of the cost of treatment, with the government scheme
covering the remaining 70 percent. Supplementary private
health insurance can be purchased for reimbursement of costs
not covered under the scheme. Healthcare, from primary through
to tertiary care is delivered via regional and national public
hospitals, and private hospitals and clinics. Hospitals are
required by law to be run as non-profit entities and managed
by physicians, and in the case of medical clinics, owned and
operated by physicians.
Patients are entitled to select their doctors and access
facilities of their choice. However, despite hospitals
regularly charging higher fees for those without a referral,
large numbers of people visit facilities for relatively minor
problems, causing overcrowding and increased wait times for
treatment. The characteristics of medical care have changed
significantly in Japan with the rapid increase of an ageing
population, combined with an improved awareness of healthcare,
the advancement of medical technology and a falling birthrate.
The need to refocus the provision of healthcare using existing
resources has been highlighted however according to the
Ministry of Health a shortage of medical personnel has also
put pressure on the system. An increase of emergency and
out-of-hours care, along with an inequitable distribution of
medical specialists has compounded the issue, with full-time
doctors now working an average of 63.3 hours a week. Medical
facilities throughout the country however are of a high
standard, with English-speaking staff available in hospitals
and clinics in most major cities.
Foreigners holding long-term visas are eligible for cover
under Japan’s health insurance scheme and to receive publicly
funded healthcare, although there are no evacuation or
repatriation clauses, requiring long-term foreign residents to
hold international medical insurance should a medical
situation necessitate repatriation. Short-term residents and
visitors are ineligible to access publicly funded healthcare
and are therefore financially exposed to expensive treatment
if a policy has not been arranged prior to entering the
country. Concrete proof of one’s ability to pay is required
before treatment is administered to a foreigner who does not
hold membership to the national health insurance scheme,
otherwise payment in full and at the time of treatment is
required. Depending on one’s location and medical condition,
the cost of hospitalization and/or medical evacuation could
potentially range from USD30,000 to USD120,000 or more,
highlighting the need for international medical insurance
coverage to guarantee payment for treatment, which can then be
administered without delay due to lack of proof of ability to
pay.
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Japan's medical insurance industry is a fast paced ever evolving market however our staff are experts and at your disposal. |
Expatriates and Travelers in Japan
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Japan Travel Insurance Concerns
Being one of the world’s most seismically active locations, there is
an ever-present danger of natural disasters, from minor
tremors to severe earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis. Japan
endures an estimated 1500 earthquakes every year, mostly
tremors; however an earthquake in March 2011 measuring 9.0 on
the Richter scale and a subsequent tsunami, caused large scale
loss of life and extensive damage along the north east of the
country. The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was also severely
damaged and is still the subject of travel advisory warnings,
cautioning against travel within 30 kilometers of the plant
and any of the deliberate evacuation areas designated by the
Japanese authorities. Despite the situation having largely
returned to normal for most parts of Japan, reconstruction
efforts are ongoing in the north east, particularly in the
most directly affected areas, resulting in some continuing
disruption to essential services. Travel advisories highlight
that the Japanese authorities remain the best source of
information and advice on the situation, and recommend that
individuals be alert to official announcements pertaining to
public safety and to follow any instructions, particularly in
the event of earthquakes precisely. Local media in Tokyo have
emergency information in English, available via the US Armed
Forces station on 76.1FM and 810AM.
Vaccine-preventable diseases such as Hepatitis B and
Japanese Encephalitis occur in Japan. Inoculations are
therefore recommended to be administered before travel by the
US Centre for Disease Control. Prefectures including Tokyo
have seen a significant number of measles cases over recent
years, therefore routine childhood vaccinations are also
recommended for those not previously immunized. The need for
comprehensive health insurance has been highlighted for a
growing number of visitors and adventure tourists due to
snow-related accidents, which have become more common over
recent years, accompanying the rising popularity of back
country skiing and snowboarding. A number of people have died
from avalanches, which commonly occur outside marked ski
areas. Ice and snow falls from roofs also present a risk, and
have resulted in deaths. Local information sources such as
tourism centres and websites, hotels and ski resorts should be
consulted for potential dangers related to conditions.
Emergency assistance in Japan is available by dialing 110 for
Police, and 119 for Fire and Ambulance.
Japan Expat Health Insurance
Medical facilities in Japan provide a high level of care and are
relatively accessible throughout the country however treatment
can be prohibitively expensive. There is an expectation of
payment in full at the time or treatment, or concrete proof
that costs can be met. This especially applies to foreigners
without long-term visas who are not covered by the national
health insurance plan. The national plan does not cover
medical evacuation or repatriation, weighing a heavy risk on
those without an international health insurance plan. An
insurance policy can be arranged through International Medical
Insurance, which provides cover whenever and wherever you
decide to travel. Globally transferable policies deliver
benefits for a range of medical needs, from emergency
evacuation and repatriation, doctors’ fees and medication
costs, to maternity services and specialist consultations. To
guarantee the cost of healthcare in Japan does not become a
financial burden, contact an International Medical Insurance
consultant to discuss your requirements.
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