Healthcare and Hospitals
Objective: Register for insurance and describe symptoms at a clinic.
Documents and essentials
- Health insurance card (or My Number Card set up for insurance)
- Residence Card
- Cash or credit card for the co-payment
- List of current medications (English + generic name is fine)
What actually happens
- 1Choose a clinic or hospital
For minor issues start at a small local clinic (診療所). Save hospitals (病院) for referrals, emergencies or complex care.
- 2Register at reception
Hand over your insurance card and fill in the patient form — clinics usually have simple English translations on request.
- 3Explain your symptoms
Point to where it hurts and use the phrases in this module. Google Translate is welcomed by most reception staff.
- 4Pay the co-payment
You typically pay 30% of the bill at the counter. Keep the receipt for reimbursement or tax purposes.
Say these when it matters
Save your closest 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone — for life-threatening emergencies dial 119.
Not every clinic accepts foreign travel insurance directly — confirm before treatment or expect to pay in full and claim later.
One quick question
What percentage of a bill does National Health Insurance typically cover for adults?