Family membership

Health insurance provides insurance benefits not just to insured persons but also to their dependent family members. These family members are referred to as "dependents". Family members must meet certain conditions related to "residency in Japan," "the extent of the family relationship," and "income" before they are authorized as dependents.

Description
Procedures
FAQ

Adding a family member

Required documents:
【Only if necessary】
For details on the necessary documents, see the following Notification of Dependent (Change) attachment: " Exceptions to the domestic residence requirement."
Deadline: Within five days after the reason for adding the family member arises
Applies to:
  • Insured persons who have enrolled as a result of finding work or switching from Seamen's Insurance
  • Insured persons for whom the number of dependent family members increases due to marriage, childbirth, etc.
Address inquiries and Submit to: The person in charge of social insurance administration at your company (If you are voluntarily and continuously insured, please inquire with the Health Insurance Society instead.)
Notes: See the Description page for information on standards for certifying dependents.

Documents to attach for dependents who qualify for exceptions to the domestic residency requirement even though they do not have addresses in Japan

Reasons for exception Certifying documentation
(1) Student studying abroad Copy of visa, student ID, certificate of school attendance, certificate of school admission
(2) Family member accompanying an insured person posted abroad Copy of visa, written appointment overseas, certificate of residence issued by a foreign public agency, etc.
(3) Person traveling abroad temporarily for sightseeing, recreation, volunteer activities, or other reasons unrelated to employment Copy of visa, certificate of agency dispatched for volunteer activities, certificate of consent to participate in volunteer activities
(4) Person recognized as equivalent to (2) above due to family relationship to an insured person arising while the insured person is posted abroad Copy of documentation certifying birth, marriage, etc.
(5) In addition to (1)-(4) above, person recognized to have a livelihood based in Japan in consideration of purposes of traveling abroad and other circumstances Subject to determination on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Health Insurance Society.

Note: If documents were prepared in a foreign language, please attach a Japanese translation signed by the translator.

Removing a family member

Required documents:

[Documents to attach]

  • Health insurance card (for the dependent to be removed, until December 1, 2025)
  • A copy of your new insurance card (if enrolled in other health insurance societies)
    • * If you do not have your new insurance card yet, please submit it at a later date.
  • Elderly benefits card, Eligibility Verification Certificate, etc. (if issued)
Deadline: Within five days after the reason for adding the family member arises
Applies to:

[Insured persons with dependents who meet the following descriptions]

  • A dependent who has enrolled in health insurance to become an insured person.
  • No longer eligible as dependents due to reasons such as employment, living apart from the insured person, or death
  • No longer satisfy the conditions for certification as dependents due to increased income
  • No longer rely on the income of the insured person for their livelihood because the insured person no longer provides an allowance
Address inquiries and Submit to: The person in charge of social insurance administration at your company (If you are voluntarily and continuously insured, please inquire with the Health Insurance Society instead.)