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Types of Health Insurance in Japan - XML

A classification of health insurance types operated under Japan's universal health coverage system. There are three main categories: Employee Health Insurance (Kyokai Kenpo, Health Insurance Societies, Mutual Aid Associations), National Health Insurance, and Late-stage Elderly Medical Care System. Each differs in eligible participants, operating bodies, and premium burden methods. Understanding these characteristics helps in selecting appropriate medical coverage and understanding the social insurance system.

health insurance social insurance medical insurance universal health coverage Kyokai Kenpo health insurance society National Health Insurance mutual aid association

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<items>
  <item>
    <code>01</code>
    <slug>kyokai-kenpo</slug>
    <name>Kyokai Kenpo (Japan Health Insurance Association)</name>
    <description>Health insurance for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises and their families.</description>
    <cardColor>Blue, light blue, orange, etc.</cardColor>
    <category>Employee Health Insurance</category>
    <dependentSystem>Yes (dependents are covered without additional premium)</dependentSystem>
    <operator>Japan Health Insurance Association (Government-managed Health Insurance)</operator>
    <premiumBurden>50-50 split between employer and employee</premiumBurden>
    <selfBurdenRate>Principally 30% (20% for those 70+, transition to Late-stage Elderly system at 75+)</selfBurdenRate>
    <targetAudience>Employees of SMEs and their families, voluntary continued insured persons</targetAudience>
  </item>
  <item>
    <code>02</code>
    <slug>health-insurance-society</slug>
    <name>Health Insurance Society (Union-managed Health Insurance)</name>
    <description>Corporate or industry-based health insurance for employees of large enterprises and their families.</description>
    <cardColor>Green, red, pink, etc.</cardColor>
    <category>Employee Health Insurance</category>
    <dependentSystem>Yes</dependentSystem>
    <operator>Corporate or industry-based Health Insurance Societies</operator>
    <premiumBurden>50-50 split between employer and employee</premiumBurden>
    <selfBurdenRate>Principally 30%</selfBurdenRate>
    <targetAudience>Employees of large enterprises and their families</targetAudience>
  </item>
  <item>
    <code>03</code>
    <slug>mutual-aid-association</slug>
    <name>Mutual Aid Association</name>
    <description>Health insurance for public servants and private school teachers.</description>
    <cardColor>Yellow, light blue, etc.</cardColor>
    <category>Employee Health Insurance</category>
    <dependentSystem>Yes</dependentSystem>
    <operator>Mutual aid associations of ministries, local governments, and school corporations</operator>
    <premiumBurden>50-50 split between association members and employers (government, local authorities, school corporations, etc.)</premiumBurden>
    <selfBurdenRate>Principally 30%</selfBurdenRate>
    <targetAudience>National public servants, local public servants, private school teachers, etc.</targetAudience>
  </item>
  <item>
    <code>04</code>
    <slug>national-health-insurance</slug>
    <name>National Health Insurance (Kokuho)</name>
    <description>Region-based health insurance for self-employed persons, freelancers, and unemployed individuals.</description>
    <cardColor>Red, pink, purple, etc.</cardColor>
    <category>Community-based Insurance</category>
    <dependentSystem>No (all family members are individual insured persons)</dependentSystem>
    <operator>Municipalities, prefectures, and National Health Insurance associations (specific occupations)</operator>
    <premiumBurden>Full self-payment (calculated based on income and number of household members)</premiumBurden>
    <selfBurdenRate>Principally 30% (varies by income)</selfBurdenRate>
    <targetAudience>Self-employed persons, freelancers, unemployed individuals, students, retirees, etc.</targetAudience>
  </item>
  <item>
    <code>05</code>
    <slug>late-stage-elderly-medical-care</slug>
    <name>Late-stage Elderly Medical Care System</name>
    <description>Medical care system for people aged 75+ and those 65+ with specific disabilities.</description>
    <cardColor>Green, purple, orange, etc.</cardColor>
    <category>Elderly Medical Care</category>
    <dependentSystem>No (individual basis)</dependentSystem>
    <operator>Prefectural Late-stage Elderly Medical Care Wide-area Unions and municipalities</operator>
    <premiumBurden>Burden based on income (with contributions from other insurance systems as support funds)</premiumBurden>
    <selfBurdenRate>Principally 10% (30% for those with income comparable to active workers)</selfBurdenRate>
    <targetAudience>People aged 75+, and those aged 65-74 with specific disabilities</targetAudience>
  </item>
</items>