If you live and work in Japan, you are probably quite satisfied with your health insurance coverage. The Japanese national health insurance system is super-efficient and covers 70% of medical costs. Unless you have a serious injury or illness, you are unlikely to get any nasty surprise medical bills.
This is how I’ve thought of my own health insurance until recently. I bought a little extra cover in case of an extended stay in hospital and figured I’m good.
Then a friend of mine got a critical illness. Without going into too much detail, the doctors in Japan told him to get his affairs in order, there’s nothing they can do. He then returned to his home country and found that actually there is an option to undergo immunotherapy. The cost, however, is around 2 million yen equivalent per month…
Thankfully, many years ago he took out some international health insurance with a UK insurance company. He faithfully paid his premiums for years and now, when he actually needs it, they have agreed to cover the full cost of his treatment.
I don’t think I need to spell this out much further. Google international health insurance, do a bit of research to find a policy that fits you, and sign up. If you are choosing from a well known provider the terms and costs are likely to be pretty similar. The one choice you will need to make is whether you want US cover or not.
You may pay your premiums for years and feel like you are wasting money. Hopefully you’ll never need the cover. However, like my friend, there may come a time when you will be glad you had it.
Smart Money Asia 