Childbirth & Child-Rearing Guide
for Foreign Residents in Sendai

2-1 Health Insurance and Delivery Expenses

Giving birth is not an illness. Thus health insurance does not cover deliveries, and you will have to pay the entire sum of the delivery expense on your own. However, in the case of Caesarian sections and other treatment procedures, you may be covered by your insurance. During pregnancy, if you have to receive medical attention, such as medication or hospitalization, for example in case of pregnancy induced hypertension or anemia, your insurance policy may also apply. In the event that a procedure is covered by health insurance, you will be responsible for paying 30% of the total cost.

For further details, consult the Insurance and Pension Division of your ward office or the Public Health and Welface Division of your general branch office if you hold a Sendai City National Health Insurance policy, or consult with your workplace if you have a company insurance policy.

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2-2 One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance

If you have a National Health Insurance (NHI) policy, when you give birth (including stillbirth and miscarriage from the twelfth week (84th day) onwards), you will be provided with a one-time delivery and nursing allowance.

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2-3 One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance Hospital Direct Payment System

(1) If the head of household makes a request in advance along with the application for admission to the hospital (or childbirth institutions), the medical facility in charge of the delivery may be directly paid the one-time delivery and nursing allowance through the "One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance Medical Facility Direct Payment System".

(2) Alternatively for hospital or childbirth institutions which do not have such contract with the National Health Insurance system,if the head of household submits an Acceptance of Proxy Notification to the ward office reception counter before the delivery date, then once the notification of delivery is submitted, the medical facility in charge of the delivery will directly recieve the One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance through Sendai City National Health Insurance, using the "One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance Acceptance of Proxy Payment System".

For insurance policies other than National Health Insurance, please consult with your workplace concerning the One-Time Delivery and Nursing Allowance.

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2-4 Delivery Aid System

This system allows for low-cost deliveries intended for those with low incomes who do not have the money necessary to make normal delivery payments. There are restrictions on who can use this system based on household income tax circumstances. Please contact the appropriate institution for further details.

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