💊 High-Cost Medical Expenses Cap Raised

❓ What's changing?

The High-Cost Medical Expenses Benefit refunds medical costs that exceed a set monthly limit. In the first-phase revision on August 1, 2026, monthly out-of-pocket caps are raised by 4–38% across income brackets, and a new annual cap of ¥530,000 is introduced for those with ¥2–7.7M annual income.

📅 New Annual Cap

A new ¥530,000 annual cap is introduced for those earning ¥2–7.7M/year, aimed at easing the burden on those needing long-term treatment. The multiple-occurrence reduction (cap reached 3+ times in the past 12 months) remains unchanged.

👥 Who is affected?

• ●All foreign residents enrolled in National Health Insurance, Kyokai Kenpo, or union health insurance
• ●Those undergoing major surgery, hospitalization, or cancer treatment
• ●Those with chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment and medication
• ●Higher-income brackets (¥3.7M+) see notable increases in burden

📝 How to Apply for the Limit Application Certificate

• ✓① Apply to your health insurer (city/town, Kyokai Kenpo, health insurance union)
• ✓② Bring residence card and insurance card; some insurers accept online applications
• ✓③ Issuance typically within 1–2 weeks
• ✓④ Present with your insurance card at the hospital → pay only up to the cap
• ✓⑤ With a My Number health card, no application needed — applied automatically