Health Care
Health Care in Okinawa
The following information has been taken from the OIST Guidebook, which you can find here if you have access to TIDA. For those without TIDA Access, you can pickup up a physical copy of the guidebook in the OIST Resource Center.
Basic Information
1) Health Insurance Card
With the health insurance card, you will pay 30 % of the actual cost for visiting a doctor/ dentist and prescription drugs. There are some exceptions such as health screening, orthodontist, childbirth expenses. OIST will issue the Health Insurance Card in about 2 weeks after you started working. Please pick the card from HR office.
Although language and culture differences can make it challenging to navigate the medical system, healthcare in Japan is widely available, efficient, and affordable. Please save all your receipts for doctor visits and prescription medicine. If you have out of-pocket medical expenses of over 100,000 per year, you can deduct them from your taxes.
2) Visiting the Doctor
Many hospitals and clinics do not accept appointments, and service is provided on a first come, first served basis. It is therefore recommended that you go early in order to avoid a long wait. However, it is a good idea to call in advance to find out whether or not the hospital operates on an appointment-based system.
3) Choosing a Doctor
Consumers may choose between large, general hospitals, and small specialty clinics. This means that if you are having a serious medical problem of uncertain causes, it is best to visit a larger hospital, where they will have a wider variety of specialties. If you have a good idea of what your medial complaint is, you may visit a specialist (either at a hospital or at a clinic) without a referral. For example, if you are having a skin problem, you can go straight to a dermatologist. However, some hospitals will charge higher fees if you arrive without a referral from a smaller clinic.
List of Frequently Visted Clinic / Hospitals
Onna Clinic 恩納クリニック
Dr. Norimitsu Tamaki (10 min drive from OIST）
TEL: 098-966-8115
Hours: Mon.Wed. Fri. Sat. 9:00 to 17:30
Closed between 12:30 to 14:00
Tue. & Thr. 9:00 to 12:30
Closed on Sundays and Holidays
Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital沖縄県立中部病院
40 min drive from OIST
TEL: 098-973-4111
Hours: Mon thru Fri 8:30 to 11:00
Hours vary depend on the departments.
Need an appointment for the afternoon visit.
Most Doctors speak English
24hr Emergency center
Urasoe Sogo Hospital 浦添総合病医院
45 min drive from OIST
TEL: 098-878-0231
Hour: Mon thru Fri 8:20 to 11:00
Hours vary depend on the departments.
Need an appointment for the afternoon visit.
Most doctors speak English.
24hr Emergency center
Adventist Medical Center アドベンチスト・メディカルセンター
50 min drive from OIST
TEL: 098-966-8115
Hours vary depends on departments from 9:00 to 4:30. Please check hours before visiting.
Closed on Friday afternoon and Saturdays.
No 24hr Emergency center is available
University Hospital, University of the Ryukyus琉球大学医学部付属病院
45 min drive from OIST
Tel: 098-895-3331
Hours: Mon thru Fri 8:00 to 11:00
Hours vary depend on the departments.
Need an appointment for the afternoon visit.
Most doctors speak English.
24hr Emergency center
Chubu Tokusyukai Hospital 中部徳州会病院
35 min drive from OIST
TEL: 098-937-1110
Hours :Mon thru Fri 8:30 to 12:00, 14:00 to 19:00
Sat 8:30 to 12:00
Some doctors speak English
24hr Emergency center
Need an appointment to visit an English speaking doctor
Remember to bring the following items when you visit the doctor:
- Health Insurance Card (if you forget the card, you have to pay 100% of cost and will get 70% return when you bring your card)
- Hospital or clinic card (This card will be made the first time you visit a clinic or hospital.
- Please bring this card on any subsequent visits. Some places will charge you if you lost it for re-issue fee.)
- Alien Registration Card
- Documentation of any medication you are taking. Be sure to discuss this with the doctor.
- Cash to pay the hospital bill (most places will not accept a credit card!)