National Health Insurance System & Municipal Health Examinations

National Health Insurance System ｜ Municipal Health Examinations ｜ Glossary 

National Health Insurance System

Those who reside in Chiba City and are not enrolled in any type of health insurance are entered into the National Health Insurance system.

Joining the National Health Insurance System

Please apply to register for the National Health Insurance system at the Citizens’ Affairs Division of your ward office by bringing a form of personal identification (residence card, special permanent residence certificate, etc.).

People Who May Not Join the National Health Insurance System

1. Those who are not eligible for a residence record (tourists, residents of less than three months, and diplomats). However, even those who have lived in Japan for less than three months may join when they renew their period of stay if it will be for more than one year. In that case, documentary proof, such as a student or employment I.D., will be required.
2. Persons who subscribe to health insurance plans at their place of employment, and any of their dependent family members.
3. Individuals who came to Japan for medical treatment or individuals who came to Japan in order to take care of the person mentioned above.

Note: Even if you are covered by an exchange student insurance plan, a life insurance plan with medical coverage benefits, or a traveler's accident insurance plan, you must enroll in the National Health Insurance system. (These types of insurance are not applicable under the public medical insurance system in Japan.)

Withdrawal

You must undertake procedures to withdraw from the National Health Insurance system and return your health insurance card to the Citizens' Affairs Division at the ward office within 14 days if any of the circumstances listed below apply to you:

1. If you move out of Chiba City (Undertake procedures to re-apply at your new address.)
2. If you join the health insurance plan at your place of employment (Bring the health insurance card that you received from your company and your National Health Insurance card to the ward office.)
3. In case of death
4. If you leave Japan

Other Procedures

You must notify the ward office within 14 days if any of the following circumstances apply. You will need your health insurance card and identification (residence card, special permanent residence certificate, etc.). Procedures can be completed at the Citizens' Affairs Division of your ward office.

1. If you have changed addresses within the city
2. If you have withdrawn from your company's health insurance plan
3. If the head of the household or your name has changed
4. If a child is born

Health Insurance Card

Upon joining the National Health Insurance system, each member is issued one health insurance card that provides proof of membership in the Chiba City National Health Insurance system. Please display your health insurance card each time you receive a medical examination at a medical facility.

Health Insurance Compensation

For Illness or Injuries

Present your proof of insurance when you receive an examination at a medical facility that accepts National Health Insurance. You will be charged 10-30% of the medical costs, and Chiba City will pay the remaining 70-90%.

When You Forget Your Health Insurance Card

If for some reason you do not have your health insurance card with you when you receive medical treatment, you will be asked to pay the entire amount of the cost of treatment.

Take the necessary documentation to the Health Insurance and Pension Division at your ward office and you can apply to be reimbursed for personally-borne costs as assessed and decided upon in accordance with the regulations of the National Health Insurance system.

Payments for Excessive Medical Bills

When an individual's medical expenses for hospitalization or outpatient treatment at the same medical facility in the same month are more than a designated amount, the exceeded amount will be reimbursed (excluding the balance of charges for bed fees and incidentals).

When Medical Costs are High Due to Hospitalization

If you are hospitalized in a medical facility, you can avoid paying high medical fees by showing a ‘certificate for the application of a maximum fee’. This will limit the maximum fee per month that you must pay. Please apply for this certificate at the Health Insurance and Pension Division of your local ward office.

When A Child Is Born

When a child is born to a National Health Insurance Plan member, a maternity and parenting lump-sum payment is paid to the head of the household. Please bring the following documents with you to your local ward office's Citizens' Affairs Division, or any civic center:

1. Seal
2. Health insurance card
3. Maternal and Child Health Handbook
4. Documentation of the head of household's bank account information
5. A copy of the agreement issued by the hospital to have the payment made directly to the insured member
6. A copy of the receipts/costs associated with the child's birth, issued by the hospital

When A Member of the National Health Insurance Plan Dies

A payment for funeral expenses will be made to the person who arranged the funeral ceremony. Please bring the following documents to your local ward office's Citizens' Affairs Division or any civic center to apply:

1. Health insurance card of the deceased
2. Seal
3. Bank account information (of the person who arranged the funeral)
4. Proof of a funeral ceremony and the claimant's role as the executor of that ceremony.

When Involved in a Traffic Accident or Injured by Another Person

As a rule, it is the duty of the person who was responsible for the injury to bear the medical expenses, but you can apply to receive treatment that is covered by the National Health Insurance system. Before using your health insurance card, please contact the Health Insurance and Pension Division at the ward office. 

Municipal Health Examinations

Health Center and Health and Welfare Centers

The Health Center and Health and Welfare Centers have been set up to help citizens live healthy and comfortable lives. The Health and Welfare Centers offer classes and consultations regarding health, nutrition, dental care, etc. The Health Center offers cancer screenings that can assist you in detecting health problems early on. There are also consultations for tuberculosis, infectious diseases, and HIV/AIDS.

Health Center and Health and Welfare Center Locations

Health Center

Address	1-3-9 Saiwai-cho, Mihama-ku
TEL	043-238-9920

Health Division

Health and Welfare Center	Address	TEL
Chuo	4-5-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku	043-221-2582
Hanamigawa	1-1 Mizuho, Hanamigawa-ku	043-275-6296
Inage	4-12-4 Anagawa, Inage-ku	043-284-6494
Midori	226-1 Kamatori-cho, Midori-ku	043-292-2630
Mihama	5-15-2 Masago, Mihama-ku	043-270-2221
Wakaba	2-19-1 Kaizuka-cho, Wakaba-ku	043-233-8714

Specified Health Examinations and Health Examinations

Specified Health Examinations target individuals aged 40 to 74 (inclusive) who are covered under the Chiba City National Health Insurance system, and Health Examinations target those covered under the Senior Citizens Medical Insurance System.

Contact the Health Insurance Division (TEL 043-245-5146) for more details.

Cancer Examinations

Group examinations held in mobile clinics and individual examinations at medical institutions are available.

The following age groups are eligible for examinations: 40 years and above for lung cancer, 35 years and above for stomach cancer, 20 years and above for uterine cancer, 30 years and above for breast cancer, and 40 years and above for colon cancer. Those who wish to receive a medical examination must present an examination voucher sticker.

Contact the Health Support Division (TEL 043-238-9930) for more details.

HIV Test and Counseling Service

HIV tests are available on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. Counseling services are provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Counseling services are conducted in person or over the phone.

Contact the Infectious Disease Prevention Division (TEL 043-238-9974) for more details. 

Glossary

English	Japanese	Romanization
certificate for the application of a maximum fee	限度額適用認定証	gendogaku tekiyou ninteishou
Health Examinations	健康診査	kenkou shinsa
health insurance card	保険証	hokenshou
Maternal and Child Health Handbook	母子健康手帳	boshi kenkou techou
National Health Insurance System	国民健康保険制度	kokumin kenkou hoken seido
Specified Health Examinations	特定健康診査	tokutei kenkou shinsa

Return to the Table of Contents (Guidebook for Living in Chiba City)