You can use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card

You can use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card. If you have not yet applied for an Individual Number Card, please consider obtaining one.

Where to address inquiries about using your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card

Individual Number comprehensive toll-free number
Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm weekdays, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm weekends and holidays (not including year-end/New Year’s holidays)

Reference link

Inquiries about the Individual Number Card system (Digital Agency) (in Japanese only)

What exactly is an Individual Number Card?

The Individual Number Card is a plastic card that shows the bearer’s name, address, date of birth, gender, and other information with a facial photograph. You can receive one for free by applying for it. The back shows the bearer’s Individual Number (12 digits). You can use this single card for confirmation of your Individual Number in various procedures as stipulated by laws and ordinances.

• * If you do not have an Individual Number Card, you will need to present two documents: a document showing your Individual Number and an identity verification document with a facial photograph.

What are the advantages of registering to use an Individual Number Card as a health insurance card?

• ●Quick and smooth reception at hospitals
  You can complete reception at medical care institutions smoothly with less waiting time by scanning your Individual Number Card to read data for online verification of eligibility.
• ●You can skip procedures for High-Cost Medical Care Benefits.
  When you incur high medical care costs, you can keep the amount you pay at the counter to no more than the Cost-Sharing Maximum Amount by presenting a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount. When using online verification of eligibility, you do not need to present a certificate, because information on the maximum copayment amount can be checked online.
• ●You can use as a health insurance card even after switching health insurance societies.
  When you have completed procedures to join a new medical insurer due to starting a new job, changing jobs, or other reason, you can use your Individual Number Card to receive medical care without waiting for issuance of a new health insurance card.
• ●You can view medication information, specific health checkup information, etc.
  You can view your medication, specific health checkup, and other information* on the Mynaportal (an online service operated by the Japanese government) to help manage your health.
  • * You can view medication information for medical care received during a three-year period beginning in September 2021 and information on specific health checkups received for five years beginning in FY2020 (most recent five checkups).
• ● You can claim medical expenses deductions in a simple manner when filing your final income tax return.
  You can manage medical care cost information on the Mynaportal without storing or managing receipts. Linking the Mynaportal to e-Tax allows automatic entry of the information required to claim medical expenses deductions.

Reference link

Automatic entry of documentation for medical expenses deductions, etc. (National Tax Agency) (in Japanese only)

It’s easy to apply for issuance of an Individual Number Card from your smartphone!

An application form for issuance is necessary to apply for issuance of an Individual Number Card. Contact your municipal government office if you’ve lost or don’t have your application form. You can apply in various ways, such as from a smartphone, PC, or ID photo booth, or by postal mail.

■Applying from a smartphone

STEP1

Take a facial photo with your smartphone.

STEP2

Scan the online application code on the application form with your smartphone.

STEP3

Enter your email address and other information on the application website displayed.

STEP4

After you receive the URL of the dedicated website for applicants at your email address, register your facial photo and enter the necessary information to complete the application.

Done!

• * Notice of issuance will be delivered to your home address about one month after you apply. Go to the designated issuing counter to receive your Individual Number Card.

See here for how to apply and other details.

Reference link

Applying for an Individual Number Card (Individual Number Card general information site)

Registering to use as a health insurance card

After obtaining your Individual Number Card, you can apply to use it as a health insurance card from your smartphone, PC (IC card reader required), a Seven Bank ATM, etc.

■Applying from a smartphone

STEP1

Launch the Mynaportal app.

STEP2

Tap “マイナンバーカードの保険証利用申込 (Apply to use Individual Number Card as a health insurance card)”.

STEP3

Check the terms of use and other information and follow the instructions.

STEP4

Enter your four-digit PIN (set when your Individual Number Card was issued) and scan your Individual Number Card with your smartphone to complete the application.

Done!

You must register the first time you use the Mynaportal.

Reference link

Using your Individual Number card as a health insurance card (Mynaportal) (in Japanese only)

Reference link

Applying from a Seven Bank ATM (Seven Bank) (in Japanese only)

Reception at medical care institutions, pharmacies, and other facilities

You can use your Individual Number Card registered for use as a health insurance card at medical care institutions, pharmacies, and other facilities that display the Myna Uketsuke stickers or posters.

See the site below for details on how to use your card and related matters.

Reference link

Using Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (in Japanese only)

You can use your Individual Number Card or health insurance card as a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount

Online verification of eligibility using Individual Number Cards and health insurance cards at the counters of medical care institutions, pharmacies, and other facilities began in October 2021. This means that at a medical care institution or other facility that has adopted this system, you can use your Individual Number Card or health insurance card as a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount or maximum copayment/reduced standard copayment certificate.

■What is online verification of eligibility?

The system for online verification of eligibility uses the IC chip on the Individual Number Card or the health insurance card code, number, and other information to verify eligibility information online.

• * Medical care institutions and other facilities are not permitted to handle patients’ Individual Numbers (12-digit numbers). They use the IC chip on the Individual Number Card instead.
• * Online verification of eligibility is not available at medical care institutions and other facilities that have not adopted the system.

■How to use your Individual Number Card as a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount

First, you must register in advance to use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card (initial registration).

• Note: You can continue to use your current health insurance card even after registering to use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card. You can also continue to use your health insurance card to receive medical care at medical care institutions even if you do not have an Individual Number Card.

■No need to show a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount at medical care institutions and other facilities that have adopted the online verification of eligibility system

Obtaining a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount previously required applying to the Society in advance. From October 2021, you are no longer required to present a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount at medical care institutions and other facilities that have adopted the online verification of eligibility system, as long as you present your Individual Number Card or health insurance card, provide your consent, and have your income category checked on the system.

Reference link

List of medical care institutions and pharmacies accepting Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards (in Japanese only)

• Note: You must present a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount when you visit a medical care institution or other facility that has yet to adopt the online verification of eligibility system. If you need one, apply to the Society for a a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount in advance and present it at the medical care institution after you receive it.

Individual Number Card FAQ