Q　

I heard that I will no longer be able to use my current health insurance card. What is the Myna Health Insurance Card? If I don't have a Myna Health Insurance Card, will the medical services I receive at the hospital be covered by my health insurance?

 

A　

A Myna Health Insurance Card is a My Number Card with a health insurance card function. The issuance of traditional health insurance cards¹ ended on December 1, 2024. From now on, Myna Health Insurance Cards are to be used as a general rule. If you don't have a Myna Health Insurance Card, the medical services you receive will still be covered by your health insurance if you present a certificate of eligibility for health insurance.²

You can continue to use your existing health insurance card until December 1, 2025. If the expiration date on your health insurance card is earlier than December 1, 2025, you can use it until the expiration date.

A certificate of eligibility for health insurance will be sent to you by the insurer (your company or local government) to use as a substitute for a health insurance card if you fall under either of the following. In principle, you don't need to apply for it.

・ If you don't have a My Number Card.

・If you haven't registered your My Number Card as a health insurance card.

 

1. Images of traditional health insurance cards (Source: Japan Health Insurance Association website)　　 　　　　　　　　　　　

 

2. An image of a certificate of eligibility for health insurance (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website)

 

[Reference] Benefits of using a Myna Health Insurance Card　　

・ Even when high medical expenses are incurred, patients will no longer have to temporarily pay for the medical expenses or go through the application process at their municipal office.

・ You can refer to your records of insured medical care on Mynaportal.³ Therefore, you can easily apply for a medical expense deduction without the need to keep and submit receipts.

・If you agree to share the details of your past hospital visits, you can receive a more appropriate diagnosis and prescription when you visit a medical institution in the future.

 

3. Mynaportal　

　This is a website run by the Japanese government that offers online services. You can use it to complete administrative procedures related to child-rearing, nursing, or other services and to check notices from government agencies.