Health Insurance Switch

When you leave your job, your company health insurance (shakai hoken) ends. During any gap, you must choose one of three options: ① enroll in National Health Insurance, ② continue your former company's insurance for up to 2 years (voluntary continuation), or ③ join a family member's insurance as a dependent.

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Documents needed

✓Residence Card

✓ID document (My Number Card, driver's license, etc.)

✓Certificate of loss of health insurance eligibility (from former employer)

✓My Number Card or notification card

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Steps

Obtain a 'Certificate of Loss of Health Insurance Eligibility' from your former employer

Choose one of the following options: ① National Health Insurance: enroll at your local city/ward office within 14 days of leaving ② Voluntary continuation: apply to your former employer's health insurance association within 20 days of leaving ③ Family dependent: ask your spouse's employer to add you as a dependent

Verify that your enrollment is reflected on your My Number Card (myna hoken-sho). If you don't have one or your My Number is not linked, a Qualification Confirmation Certificate (shikaku kakunin-sho) will be issued by your insurer instead

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Important notes

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National Health Insurance premiums are calculated based on your previous year's income — if you earned a lot last year, premiums may be high immediately after leaving

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Voluntary continuation means paying the full premium yourself (roughly double what you paid as an employee), but may be cheaper than NHI if your previous income was high

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Do not leave a gap in coverage — if enrollment is delayed, you may have to pay the full cost at the counter for any medical treatment during that period

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If your new employer is a covered workplace and you meet the enrollment requirements, your employer will handle the health insurance enrollment from your start date

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Links

Japan Health Insurance Association (voluntary continuation)↗Ministry of Health (National Health Insurance)↗

🔗 Related procedures

Pension Switch (Employee Pension → National Pension)

When you leave your company, your employee pension (kosei nenkin) enrollment ends. During any gap between jobs, you must switch to the National Pension (Class 1 insured person) at your local city/ward office.

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Unemployment Benefit Application

If there is a gap between jobs, you can apply for unemployment benefits (basic allowance) at Hello Work. Bring your separation certificates and register as a job seeker to start the process.

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