From the 4th, the card can also be used as a health insurance card at some medical institutions in an attempt to increase the convenience of the Individual Number Card and lead to its widespread use.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to start full-scale operation nationwide from the end of this month while verifying the usage status.

From the 4th, My Number Card can also be used as a health insurance card at 19 clinics and pharmacies in 11 prefectures.

Of these, at pharmacies in Tokyo, a new machine for reading My Number card information was set up at the counter, and pharmacists were instructing how to use the machine and handing out pamphlets to encourage its use.



A woman in her 60s who actually used the Individual Number Card said, "It was easy. I think it would be convenient to be able to see drug information."



A man in his 60s said, "I don't carry my number card with me because I'm worried about dropping it. If I can use it as a health insurance card, I'll try using it next time."

What is convenient?

Information is centrally managed by receiving a medical examination using the Individual Number Card, medical expenses can be confirmed on a dedicated portal site and can be used for final tax returns, and there is no need to apply for a high-cost medical treatment system, and the maximum amount can be reached at the counter. You will not have to temporarily pay more than the medical expenses.



In addition, medical institutions will be able to view information on specific medical examinations and medicines prescribed in the past with the consent of patients, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare expects that it will lead to more appropriate medical treatment and examinations.



By the end of this month, the government is aiming to introduce a machine that reads card information at about 60% of medical institutions nationwide, but as of 21st of last month, 32.8% of medical institutions applied.



As of the 2nd of this month, the issuance rate of the Individual Number Card itself is only 26%, and many medical institutions hesitate to introduce machines.



The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is calling for the installation of machines in support of the cost of system repairs.



On the other hand, there are also deep-rooted concerns about the leakage of personal information.



The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare states that the My Number card itself does not contain medical information and that a PIN is required, so there is no concern about leakage of personal information, but ensuring the reliability of the system is an issue.

“Expected to lead to appropriate medical examinations and tests” Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare hopes that if medical institutions can view past medical information of patients by using My Number Card, it will lead to more appropriate medical treatment and examinations.



In the past, when visiting multiple medical institutions or visiting a non-family medical institution, it was necessary to rely on the patient's explanation to check information such as past treatments and prescribed medicines.



By utilizing My Number Card, medical institutions will be able to see past medical data with the consent of the patient.



The time being, but will be limited to the results of specific medical examination can be viewed, of medicine that has been prescribed in this year October information, further records and visited in the past medical institutions of surgery or dialysis in prospect next year's summer Information is expected to be added.



We hope that this will help the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare prevent more appropriate treatment and prescription of unnecessary drugs.

Mamoru Yamashita, Chief of the Medical and Nursing Care Cooperation Policy Division of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, said, "It will be possible for each person to receive medical treatment while sharing records with professionals instead of remembering what kind of treatment they have received. I want to deliver new health insurance services with my number card while gradually increasing it. "