Best health insurance quotes in Japan

The Japanese healthcare system is known for being one of the most advanced in the world, with top-tier quality of care. It’s also one of the most comprehensive examples of a social healthcare system, fully covering all citizens and residents. However, wait times can be long and expats may have difficulty finding English-speaking doctors and specialists.

If you do not have health insurance coverage in Japan, you must pay the total treatment costs upfront. The exception is in cases of emergency treatment, where you will receive care first and settle the bill afterward. Providers may refuse you non-urgent treatment if you don’t have health insurance.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in Japan. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. Since healthcare is relatively expensive in Japan, health insurance costs will be higher than in other countries in East Asia.

The claims process in Japan varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.