Using Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards

Address inquiries about the use of Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards to:

Individual Number Call Center general toll-free number
0120-95-0178

Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm weekdays, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm weekends and holidays (except year-end/New Year's holidays)

Reference link

• Inquiries about the Individual Number system (Digital Agency)

What is an Individual Number Card?

The Individual Number Card is a plastic card with a facial photograph, showing information such as the bearer’s name, address, date of birth, and gender. You can have one issued for free by applying. The back of the card shows the bearer's Individual Number (12 digits). With this single card, you can have your Individual Number verified in various procedures stipulated by laws and ordinances.

• * If you do not have an Individual Number Card, you must present both a document showing your Individual Number and an identity verification document with a facial photo.

What are the advantages of registering to use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card?

• Quick and smooth reception at the hospital
  You can complete reception smoothly with less waiting time by scanning data on your Individual Number Card and completing eligibility verification online at the medical care institution.
• You can skip procedures for High-cost Medical Care Benefits
  If you incur high medical care costs, you can keep the amount you pay at the counter to no more than your cost-sharing maximum amount by presenting a Certificate of Application of Maximum Copayment Amount issued by the Health Insurance Society. By using online verification of eligibility, you do not need this certificate because information on the maximum amount can be checked online.
• You can continue using it as a health insurance card even if you change health insurers
  You can continue to use your Individual Number Card to receive medical care without waiting for a new health insurance card after completing the procedure for joining a new health insurance plan due to new employment or job change.
• You can view medication, specific health checkup, and other information
  You can view your medication, specified health checkup, and other information* on Mynaportal (an online service operated by the Japanese government) to help manage your health. You can also view medical care cost information, which makes it easy to claim medical expenses deductions on your income tax returns.
  • * You can view medication information for three years, from September 2021 and later, and information for five years of specified health checkups received in FY2020 and later (most recent five times).

It's easy to apply for an Individual Number Card from your smartphone!

An application form is needed to apply for issue of an Individual Number Card. Contact your municipal government office if you’ve lost or don’t have on hand your application form. You can also apply from a smartphone, computer, or ID photo booth, at the post office, and in other ways.

Applying from a smartphon

STEP 1	Applying from a smartphon.
STEP 2	Scan the online application code on the application form with your smartphone.
STEP 3	Enter your email address and other information on the application website.
STEP 4	Once you receive the URL of the website for applicants at your email address, register your facial photo and enter the necessary information to complete the application.

• * On receiving the issue notice at your home about one month after you apply, go to the designated issuing counter to pick up your card.

See here for details of application methods and other information.

Reference link

• Individual Number Card general information site (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems)

Registering to use your Individual Number Card as a health insurance card

After obtaining your Individual Number Card, you can apply to use it as a health insurance card in several ways, including from your smartphone, PC (IC card reader required), a Seven Bank ATM, or a card reader with facial authentication feature at a medical care institution or pharmacy.

Applying from a smartphone

STEP 1	Launch the Mynaportal app and log in. (Enter your PIN and scan your Individual Number Card.)
STEP 2	Click "登録状況の確認/Registration Status" and then "健康保険証（未登録）/Health Insurance Certificate (Not Registered)."
STEP 3	Check "マイナンバーカードを健康保険証として登録する/Register Individual Number Card as Health Insurance Card" for the Individual Number Card usage status and click "登録/Register."
STEP 4	"登録済/Registered" appears for the Individual Number Card usage status and the registration is complete.

You must register when using Mynaportal for the first time.

Reference link

• Use your Individual Number card as a health insurance card (Mynaportal)

Reference link

• Applying from a Seven Bank ATM (Seven Bank)

Individual Number Card FAQ

Q1. Can I use my Individual Number Card at any medical care institution or pharmacy?

Since April 2023, medical care institutions and pharmacies are in principle required to adopt the online eligibility verification system.

Reference link

• Status of adoption of the online eligibility verification system (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Q2. If I have my Individual Number Card, can I receive medical care at a medical care institution even without a health insurance card?

You can use your Myna health insurance card at medical care institutions and pharmacies that have adopted the online eligibility verification system.
You still need to present your health insurance card, Eligibility Verification Certificate, and/or other document at medical care institutions and pharmacies that have yet to adopt the online eligibility verification system.

Q3. How can I find out which medical care institutions and other facilities accept Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards (i.e., which ones have adopted the online eligibility verification system)?

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website has a list of medical care institutions and pharmacies that accept Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards. Additionally, medical care institutions that support the use of Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards display the Myna Uketsuke stickers or posters.

Q4. Do I need to leave my Individual Number Card with medical care institutions and pharmacies at the counter to complete the necessary procedures?

Medical care institutions and pharmacies will not keep Individual Number Cards.

Q5. Is it possible for someone to misuse my Individual Number if they see it on the back of my card?

No. Simply knowing your Individual Number will not allow someone else to impersonate you due to the requirement of an identity verification document with a facial photo for procedures using the Individual Number Card.

Q6. I've heard that the amount I pay at the counter will be higher if I use my Individual Number Card to receive medical care. Is that true?

Small fee will be charged the first time (*) you receive medical care at a medical care institution or other facility that has adopted the online eligibility verification system. However, the calculation system has been revised so that those using Individual Number Cards as health insurance cards pay less than those using conventional health insurance cards since October 2022.

• * Once every six months for prescriptions