14. Medical Treatment
Medical Institutions in Shimane
The level of medical treatment in Japan is considerably high. In most areas of the country, there are a number of clinics as well as hospitals. In Shimane prefecture the number of medical institutions is not necessarily low, but the number of the hospitals which are available for the treatment of patients decreases the further into the countryside you go. In Japanese medical institutions (except for dental treatment), diagnosis and treatment is undertaken in the order patients arrive on that day. There are some medical institutions where foreigners can consult with doctors who can speak languages other than Japanese. In most cases, the receptionist of the hospital will not be able to speak English. Therefore, you should bring a friend who can speak Japanese. As soon as you move into a neighborhood, you should check where the nearest medical institutions are located.
Seeing a Doctor
The following information may differ among hospitals and clinics. You need to bring your Health Insurance Card if the last visit you made was in a different month. Do not forget to bring it. If you forget your insurance card, you will be charged the full amount of the medical expense. (Refer to here)
【At a Hospital】
- First Visit
Go to "General Reception Desk" or "First Visit Reception Desk" near the front entrance. Fill in the necessary details on the patient information form and hand in the form with your Health Insurance Card. Names are called in the order they are received. When your name is called, collect your clinical record and go to the specialist reception desk you are told to go. Hand in your clinical record there and sit down in the chair close to the counter. Wait until your name is called. (In some hospitals, you will be asked to fill in a health questionnaire at this moment. Since the questionnaires are written in Japanese, ask the receptionist if you do not understand.) When your name is called, go to the examination room, where you will see the doctor. - Second Visit (When you go to see the same doctor as the first time)
Go to the specialist reception desk directly and hand in your Health Insurance Card and the examination ticket. Then wait until your name is called. (In some hospitals, there is a machine with which you can notify your visit automatically. In that case, you register your arrival with the machine and sit down in the chair close to the counter until your name is called.) Usually your clinical record is brought from the specialist reception desk to the examination room directly. - Visiting a Different Department
When you visit a department you have not been to before, do the same as you would for your first visit.
【Medical Clinic】
- First Visit
Hand in your Health Insurance Card to the reception desk and explain that this is your fist examination. In some clinics, you will be asked to fill in a health questionnaire. Since the questionnaires are written in Japanese, ask the receptionist if you do not understand. In the waiting room, wait until your name is called. When your name is called, go to the examination room, where you see the doctor. - Second Visit
Hand in your Health Insurance Card and examination ticket to the reception desk and wait until your name is called in the waiting room.
After Medical Examination
The procedure after your medical examination may differ in each hospital, clinic and medical institution. Please refer to the following information as a general guide.
【Hospital】
After the medical examination, the specialist reception desk which you went to on arrival passes the accounting statement to the "Payment Counter". When your name is called, go to the counter and pay the bill. Your insurance card and examination ticket will be returned. (※In some hospitals, the specialist reception desk you went to first and the Payment Counter are in a different location. If you cannot find the Payment Counter, ask the hospital staff.)
【Clinic】
After the medical examination, go back to the waiting room and wait until your name is called. When your name is called, pay the bill at the reception desk, and your insurance card and examination ticket will be returned.
Receiving Your Medicines
Recently, medicines are rarely supplied by the medical institution. In most cases, you will receive a prescription. Take and give your prescription to a dispensing pharmacy and receive your medicine. The medicine fee is separate to the medical examination fee.
In Case of Traffic Accident
When you need medical treatment because of a traffic accident, be sure to inform the circumstances to the reception desk at the hospital. You will be able to use your Health Insurance in most circumstances. If you want to use it, you must inform this fact to the municipal office where you applied for alien registration if you have joined the National Health Insurance. If you want to use your Employee's Health Insurance, you must inform that fact to your company instead. In some cases, you cannot use your Health Insurance. In these cases, follow the staff's instruction at the hospital. (For example, if there is a perpetrator of the accident and you have already received the medical expense from him or her, you cannot use your own Health Insurance.)
Emergency Hospitals / After Hours Clinics
If you suddenly get sick or injured at night or on holidays, you can see a doctor at the following hospitals and clinics. In most cases, you will be examined by the doctor on duty at the time and a specialist will be called upon if deemed necessary.
【Emergency Notification Hospital】
| Name of Medical Institutions | Address | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|
| General Hospital Matsue Municipal Hospital(Sougou Byouin Matsue Shiritsu Byouin) |
101 Nada-machi, Matsue-shi | (0852)23-1000 |
| General Hospital Matsue Seikyou Hospital(Sougou Byouin Matsue Seikyou Byouin) |
8-8-8 Nishitsuda, Matsue-shi | (0852)23-1111 |
| Matsue Red Cross Hospital (Matsue Sekijuuji Byouin) |
200 Horo-machi, Matsue-shi | (0852)24-2111 |
| Matsue Memorial Hospital (Matsue Kinen Byouin) |
3-4-1 Agenogi, Matsue-shi | (0852)27-8111 |
| Tamatsukuri Kouseinenkin Hospital (Tamatsukuri Kouseinenkin Byouin) |
1-2 Ouaza Yumachi, Tamayu-cho, Yatsuka-gun |
(0852)62-1560 |
| Hirose Municipal Hirose Hospital (Hirose Chouritsu Hirose Byouin) |
1931 Hirose, Hirose-machi, Nogi-gun | (0854)32-2121 |
| Hirata Municipal Hospital (Hirata Shiritsu Byouin) |
613 Nadabun-cho, Hirata-shi | (0853)63-5111 |
| Shimane Prefecture Central Hospital (Shimane Kenritsu Chuuou Byouin) |
4-1-1 Himebara-cho, Izumo-shi | (0853)22-5111 |
| Shimane Medical University Medical Department Hospital (Shimane Ikadaigaku Igaku-bu Fuzoku Byoun) |
89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo-shi | (0853)23-2111 |
| Yamao Hospital of Surgery and Internal Medicine (Geka Naika Yamao Byouin) |
1099-5 Ousu-cho, Izumo-shi | (0853)23-0520 |
| Public Unnan General Hospital (Kouritsu Unnan Sougou Byouin) |
96-1 Ouaza Iida, Daitou-cho, Ouhara-gun | (0854)43-2390 |
| Heisei Memorial Hospital (Heisei Kinen Byouin) |
1294-1 Ouaza Mitoya, Mitoya-cho, Iishi-gun | (0854)45-5111 |
| Nita Municipal Nita Hospital (Nita Chouritsu Nita Byouin) |
1622-1 Ouaza Minari, Nita-cho, Nita-gun | (0854)54-1122 |
| Tonbara Municipal Tonbara Hospital (Tonbara Chouritsu Tonbara Byouin) |
2060 Ouaza Tonbara-mura, Tonbara-cho, Iishi-gun | (0854)72-0221 |
| Ouda Municipal Hospital (Ouda Shiritsu Byouin) |
1428-3 Yoshinaga, Ouda-cho, Ouda-shi | (08548)2-0330 |
| Saisei-kai Goutsu General Hospital (Saisei-kai Goutsu Sougou Byouin) |
1551 Goutsu-cho, Goutsu-shi | (0855)52-2550 |
| Hamada National Hospital (Kokuritsu Hamada Byouin) |
3748 Kurokawa-cho, Hamada-shi | (0855)22-2300 |
| Ouchi Public Hospital (Kouritsu Ouchi Byouin) |
3848-2 Ouaza Nakano, Iwami-cho, Ouchi-gun | (0855)95-2111 |
| Masuda Red Cross Hospital (Masuda Sekijuuji Byouin) |
103-1 I Otoyoshi-cho, Masuda-shi | (0856)22-1480 |
| Masuda Region Medical Center Medical Association Hospital (Masuda Chiiki Iryou Sentaa Ishikai Byouin) |
1917-2 Touda-cho, Masuda-shi | (0856)22-3611 |
| Tsuwano Kyouzon Hospital (Tsuwano Kyouzon Byouin) |
141 Ouaza Morimuraguchi, Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi-gun |
(08567)2-0660 |
| Nichibara Kyouzon Hospital (Nichibara Kyouzon Byouin) |
218-18 Ouaza Makurase, Nichihara-cho, Kanoashi-gun |
(08567)4-0121 |
| Muikaichi Hospital (Muikaichi Byouin) |
368-4 Ouaza Muikaichishi, Muikaichi-cho, Kanoashi-gun |
(08567)7-1581 |
| Oki Wide Area Union Oki Hospital (Oki Kouiki Rengouritsu Oki Byouin) |
355 Ouaza Jouhokumachi, Saigou-cho, Oki-gun | (08512)2-1356 |
| Oki Wide Area Union Oki Shimamae Hospital (Oki Kouiki Rengouritsu Okishimamae Byoun) |
2071-1 Ouaza Mita, Nishinoshima-cho, Oki-gun | (08514)7-8211 |
【Holiday Clinics】
| Name of Medical Institutions | Address | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Matsue Municipal Holiday Emergency Clinic (Matsue Shiritsu Kyuujitsu Oukyuu Shinryousho) |
2-2-23, Nishiyomeshima, Matsue-shi | (0852)24-3220 |
| Izumo Holiday Clinic (Izumo Kyuujitsu Shinryousho) |
72-4 Imaichi-cho, Izumo-shi | (0853)22-5543 |
| Goutsu City Holiday Emergency Clinic (Goutsu-shi Kyuujitsu Oukyuu Shinryousho) |
899-74 I Kakushi-cho, Goutsu-shi | (0855)52-5533 |
| Hamada Municipal Holiday Emergency Clinic (Hamada Shiritsu Kyuujitsu Oukyuu Shinryousho) |
1 Tono-machi, Hamada-shi | (0855)22-2612 |
Welfare Medical Treatment (Medical Assistance System)
Welfare medical treatment is a system in which self-governing body assists with the medical expense for those who are heavily burdened by the medical expenses of sudden illness or injury.
【Candidates】
- A handicapped person
- A fatherless family
※However, not all people mentioned above can receive welfare. There are some conditions, such as income that dictate whether medical welfare assistance can be received. For further information, ask at the municipal office where you applied for alien registration.
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Welfare General Affairs Division / Insurance Section Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.156 / 158 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
The National Medical System for the Elderly
Those who are 75 years or older can receive medical treatment through the National Medical System for the Elderly. If you are currently eligible for the National Medical System for the Elderly, you can receive medical treatment continuously. (If you are handicapped, and over 65 years old, you are also are qualified.) Whenever you receive medical treatment, you have to submit your "Health Insurance Card", as well as your "Health Handbook" and "Medical System Recipient Certificate" which are issued by the National Medical System for the Elderly. It is important for all people to report the following circumstances to the municipal office where you applied for alien registration. (Call and ask them about the necessary documents for procedure.)
- When you become 75 years old or you are bedridden at 65 years old or more
- Change in address
- Death
- When you begin receiving public assistance
- When your medical insurance changes
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Welfare General Affairs Division / Insurance Section Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.156 / 158 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
【Medical Expense Which You are Charged】
The medical expenses which you have to bear are listed below.
| Limitation on Copayment (Monthly Fee)(Outpatient + Hospitalization) | Meal Expenses | |||
| Person who earns above a certain income | Outpatient (Individuals) | |||
| 40,200 yen | 72,300 yen
If medical expenses exceed 361,500 yen, add 1 % of overrun expenses If you have paid a hefty medical expense more than 4 times in the past twelve months, your copayment will be 40,200 yen after 4 times payment. |
780 yen per day | ||
| General-income Person | 12,000 yen | 40,200 yen | ||
| Low-income Person | Low-income Person II | 8,000 yen | 24,600 yen | 650 yen per day (500 yen per day from 91 days |
| Low-income Person I | 15,000 yen | 300 yen per day | ||
Company Health Examination
A health examination is undertaken in many companies about once a year. If you want to undergo your health examination privately, you can do so at a general hospital or medical institution (except for some private hospitals). Your Health Insurance Card cannot be used for a health examination. The cost of an examination may differ between medical institutions and the type of examination. Since many medical institutions require you to have an appointment in advance, enquire at the medical institution. If you meet the following conditions, you can take a health examination undertaken by the municipality at a reduced cost. For further information, ask the municipal office where you applied for alien registration.
| Type of Health Examination | Conditions (Except for people who receive examination in their company) |
|---|---|
| General Health Examination | Citizens who are 40 years or older |
| Lung Cancer Examination | |
| Stomach Cancer Examination | |
| The Colon Cancer Examination | |
| Uterine Cancer Examination | Female citizens who are 30 years or older |
| Breast Cancer Examination | |
| Tuberculosis Examination | Citizens who are 15 years or older ※Except for patients who are undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, or people who receive the examination at school, company, or hospital |
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Health and Longevity Division / Health Promotion Section Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.165/ 166 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
HIV/AIDS Consultation and Examination
If you have a concern regarding HIV/AIDS or want to undergo an examination, you can do so at the following offices under the strict protection of your privacy. (An appointment is necessary for an examination.)
◆Inquiries◆
| Examination and Consultation | Hamada Health and Welfare Center Tel (0855)29-5554 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:00 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
| Consultation Only | Shimane Prefectural Office / Medical Affairs and Public Health Division Tel (0852)22-5254 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:00 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
Furthermore, you can receive consultation regarding HIV/AIDS in eight languages from the following service center. It is open 24 hours throughout the year.
AIDS Telephone Service・・・・・・・・06-6636-2333 (charges apply )
・・・・・・・・03-5285-8088 (charges apply)
・・・・・・・・03-5521-1177 (charges apply)
Preventing Food Poisoning
In Japan, cases of food poisoning vary throughout the year. During the rainy season (June/July) the temperature and humidity become so high that the number of food poisoning cases increase due to accelerated bacterial growth. The symptoms of food poisoning include stomach ache, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It may sometimes cause a speech impediment, sight impediment, paralytic symptoms, difficulty breathing, and in some cases, death. In order to prevent food poisoning, take note of the following.
- Purchase fresh food and eat it as soon as possible.
- Eat food as soon as possible after it is prepared.
- Wash vegetables thoroughly with running water.
- Avoid eating raw fish and raw meat. Ensure that cooked food is served at a hot temperature.
- Before cooking or eating, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Disinfect cooking utensils such as cooking boards, knives, and bowls in boiling water.
- Use clean tableware.
- Do not preserve foodstuffs for a long time.
Prevention and Examination of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease. If you have been coughing up phlegm for two weeks or more, you should be examined in a medical institution. (An examination fee will be charged). A periodic medical examination is available in each municipal office. Ask at the municipal office where you applied for alien registration for further information.
◆Inquiries◆
| Hamada City Office / Health and Longevity Division / Health Promotion Section Tel (0855)22-2612 Ext.165/ 166 Dates & Hours : Mon.-Fri. 8:30-17:15 (Except holidays, year-end and new-year) |
