With the conventional health insurance certificate no longer be issued after December 1, 2025, health insurance services can be received by using one of the three options:
1. Show a health insurance eligibility certificate
2. Use My Number Card as health insurance certificate
3. Use health insurance certificate with smartphone
This article explains details.
[1] Health insurance eligibility certificate
For those who do not have a My Number Card or have not registered it as health insurance certificate, the insurer will issue a health insurance eligibility certificate. They can receive medical services by showing the certificate at medical institutions. After an expiration date of the eligibility certificate, it will be replaced by a new one.
[2] My Number Card as health insurance certificate
My Number Card can be registered as health insurance certificate. Using a special card reader, healthcare facilities can check your insurance data and provide medical services. Many hospitals and clinics have installed the reader.
[3] Smartphone health insurance certificate
From September 19, 2025, the use of smartphones as health insurance certificate has become available at some healthcare facilities. If the My Number Card data is connected with a smartphone, healthcare facilities will confirm the data with a special reader. Since people can receive treatment with a smartphone instead of carrying the My Number Card, this system is expected to increase convenience. They can continue using the My Number Card even after connecting the data with a smartphone.
Issuance of a My Number Card, registration of My Number Card as health insurance certificate and connection with a smartphone are all optional. Since the use of My Number Card is increasing, it may be helpful to provide the information to employees.
[Reference]
The Labor Ministry
“Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate (How to receive medical treatment without using the My Number Card)”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_45470.html
“The use of My Number Card as health insurance certificate”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_08277.html
“The use of My Number Card health insurance certificate with smartphones”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_60802.html
*The information is based on laws and regulations as of the date of the original article.
