insurance

Health Insurance Card

健康保険証 (kenkō hoken shō)

The health insurance card (健康保険証, kenkō hoken shō) is a physical card issued by your insurer that proves enrollment and allows access to reduced-cost medical care. You present it at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies before each visit. It shows your name, insurance number, copayment rate, and insurer details. Losing it requires immediate reporting to your insurer or municipal office and requesting a replacement.

Japan is transitioning toward the My Number card (マイナンバーカード) as a combined insurance card, with traditional paper cards being phased out by late 2024.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Health Insurance Card
Japanese (日本語)	健康保険証
Chinese (中文)	健康保险证
Korean (한국어)	건강보험증
Portuguese	Cartão de seguro de saúde
Spanish	Tarjeta de seguro médico
Filipino	Card ng health insurance
Thai	บัตรประกันสุขภาพ
Vietnamese	Thẻ bảo hiểm y tế
Romanization	kenkō hoken shō

Related terms

• National Health Insurance 国民健康保険
• Employee Health Insurance / Shakai Hoken 社会保険
• Copayment / Patient Cost-Sharing 自己負担
• Municipal Office / City Hall 市区町村役場
• Residence Card / Zairyu Card 在留カード

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