1.
medical insurance; health insurance
Insurance that covers medical expenses. In Japan, this primarily refers to the public health insurance system that covers all residents, but can also refer to supplementary private medical insurance.
医療保険に加入する。
To enroll in medical insurance.
日本では国民皆保険で、全員が医療保険に入っている。
In Japan, under the universal insurance system, everyone is covered by medical insurance.
民間の医療保険に入っておくと、入院費用の負担が軽くなる。
If you take out private medical insurance, the burden of hospitalization costs becomes lighter.
Japan's public health insurance system (国民皆保険) is one of the most comprehensive in the world, covering all residents. Most people pay 30% of medical costs out of pocket, with insurance covering the rest.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 医療保険に加入する: to enroll in health insurance
- 医療保険制度: health insurance system
- 公的医療保険: public health insurance
- 民間の医療保険: private medical insurance
JAPAN'S SYSTEM:
- 健康保険 (健保): employee health insurance (for company workers)
- 国民健康保険 (国保): national health insurance (for self-employed and others)
- 後期高齢者医療保険: medical insurance for the elderly (75+)
RELATED TERMS:
- 保険証: insurance card — the card you present at hospitals
- 自己負担: out-of-pocket expense
- 生命保険: life insurance — different from medical insurance