Health Insurance Cards Planned For Retirement In Autumn 2024

Despite recent reports of troubling technical issues, the individually numbered card will replace health insurance cards in the fall of 2024, though there will be exceptions for opt-outs.

On May 31, a special committee of the upper house approved a bill to amend several laws, including one that would abolish health insurance cards in principle. The upper house is expected to approve the law on June 2.

The function of health insurance card will be taken over by individual number card, popularly known as "My Number Card".

But recently there were reports that the My Number card was wrongly linked to health insurance information, allowing some people to access the health information of strangers.

The exception would be those who do not issue a "My Number" card, as there is no law that would force everyone to get such a card.

For those who don't want to apply, or for those who do, such as seniors who find it difficult to apply for the card, their health insurance provider will issue another document showing they're eligible for coverage.

Health Ministry officials said they plan to allow family members or staff at aged care facilities to apply for a certificate of entitlement on behalf of a senior citizen.

How those who refuse to apply for certificates of conformity will be dealt with is yet to be determined. An option would be for the health insurance provider to make the individual decision to issue the certificate.

The law, which is expected to be approved by the upper house, would also create a new system that would link a "My Number" card to a financial institution account used to pay for government expenses such as pensions.

Individuals will get a notification through mail linking their account with My Number card. If a person does not expressly object to the connection within the specified period, it is considered that consent is given and the connection is established.

But it may give some people the impression that the government has unilaterally linked a My Number card to a financial institution account and increased mistrust of the My Card Number system.

The law will also expand the range of public sectors where the My Number card can be used. Currently, there are only three such sectors: social security, taxation and disaster management.

But in the future, the "My Number" card can be used for obtaining national rights, registering a car or for procedural matters involving foreign residents.

And it will be easier for the central government to expand the government services available through the My Number card.

Until now, legislative changes have been required to extend the range, but legislation currently before the Upper House allows the government to use the My Number card for "equivalent clerical purposes currently covered by law".

(This article was written by Shuhei Shibata and Tara Kotegawa.)

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