Starting from December 2, 2024, the issuance of the current health insurance cards will be discontinued, and a new system based on the use of the My Number card (referred to as the My Number Health Insurance Card) will be implemented. With the transition to this new system approaching, the Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo) has announced guidelines regarding the issuance of health insurance cards and related procedures for those who take action around December 2, 2024. The key points are as follows:
- Issuance of Health Insurance Cards for Those Who Have Completed Enrollment Procedures with the Japan Pension Service
Even if a health insurance eligibility registration or dependent (change) registration was submitted to the Japan Pension Service before December 1, 2024, if the processing is done after December 2, 2024, the health insurance card will not be issued. In such cases, a “Qualification Confirmation Certificate” will be issued instead of the health insurance card. - Issuance of Health Insurance Cards for Reissue Requests Made to the Health Insurance Association
If a request for reissuing a health insurance card, or any other related procedure (such as the application for continuing health insurance after leaving employment), was submitted to the Health Insurance Association before December 1, 2024, but the processing occurs after December 2, 2024, a health insurance card will not be issued, and a “Qualification Confirmation Certificate” will be issued instead.
In both cases, the issuance date of the health insurance card is determined by the processing date at the Health Insurance Association. As a result, it is possible that a Qualification Confirmation Certificate will be issued instead of a health insurance card during the transition period. When performing these procedures, it is important to be aware of these changes and inform employees accordingly if needed.
