The need to be insured....
Here in Japan, it is really important to secure a hoken, no matter your sex, age, or race. If you haven't tried being sick, confined, or hospitalized here, I am telling you now - it cost too. It may even be more than your salary, especially if you have surgeries or you're really sick. Hokensyo is really needed in order to avoid the burden of paying for health risks and problems. A single CT scan with no hokensho can reach up to 70,000 yen and the doctor's fee can be 30,000 yen per visit, depends on what health condition you are consulting for. For heart and brain doctors, the fee is around 50,000 yen. With the hokensyo you may pay only the 30% of that, or possibly even nothing. It depends on how much you plan to pay for your hokensyo monthly. In my case I pay around 27,000 for my hoken monthly and when I have mild risks or even cough, I go to the doctor before it gets worst and I pay nothing. You can use your hoken over and over, as long as you pay your monthly dues.
Hokensyo information is available in the city hall near you. Just ask for English assistance and you will be provided with assistance by a Japanese who speaks English. They can give you the names and prices of hoken so you can choose which one you can afford. The important thing is that you get one, it's worth it.
Japanese insurance is accepted and accredited in almost all health centers; optical, dentist (orthodontics materials not included in some clinics), in lung center, out-patient hospitals, laboratories and big hospitals anywhere in the country.
You don't have to worry about your health here in Japan if you have the insurance card. I strongly recommend it for those of you who haven't got one, secure it now before you are shocked at your bills. No one ever knows what's ahead, it's better to be ready.
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Comments (1)
I take exception to your glee at having "free" dental care in Japan. As a resident since 1998, I would not have my dog worked on by any dentist in Japan. I met a university professor of dentistry in 2004, he was educated in Japan and the USA, he said Japan was 20 years behind the developed world in dentistry. One quick look about and one can see the low quality of dental work, heading to Tokyo and having dental work done by the local western trained dentists is very, very expensive. Get dental check ups and dental work done outside of Japan. Take care of your teeth and the often neglected gum area. I find it a tough spot without my yearly vacation to Canada and the dental check-up and cleaning.
Look for travel health insurance if visiting Japan for a limited amount of time, say 30 days. I had travel insurance for two years in Yokohama, my workplace bought it for me. They said it was fine, I was covered for the two incidents during that time. I think the insurance was not on the up and up though, just a feeling.
Steve
Posted by Steve | June 19, 2007 7:22 AM