健康保険(けんこうほけん)

Japan has universal health insurance. All residents must enroll in some form of 健康保険(けんこうほけん). Often abbreviated to 健保(けんぽ).

Types

• 社会保険(しゃかいほけん) (社保(しゃほ)): employee health insurance (through employer)
• 国民健康保険(こくみんけんこうほけん) (国保(こくほ)): National Health Insurance (for self-employed, retirees, etc.)

Common expressions

• 健康保険(けんこうほけん)証(しょう): health insurance card
• 健康保険(けんこうほけん)に加入(かにゅう)する: to enroll in health insurance
• 健康保険(けんこうほけん)料(りょう): health insurance premium

Copay

The standard patient copay is 30% of medical costs, with the insurance covering the remaining 70%. Children and elderly have reduced copay rates.