Japan has ended the provisional measure allowing patients to use expired traditional health insurance cards for medical treatment [1].

This transition marks the final phase of the government's effort to digitize the national healthcare system. By eliminating reliance on old paper cards, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare aims to streamline medical records and reduce administrative errors across the country.

Starting Aug. 1, 2024 [2], all patients seeking insured medical services at healthcare facilities nationwide must present specific documentation. The accepted forms of identification are the integrated "My Number health insurance card" or a "qualification-confirmation document" [2].

Previously, a temporary allowance permitted the use of traditional cards that had technically expired. That provisional measure officially concluded on July 31, 2026 [1]. The shift is mandatory for all medical institutions providing insured services, ensuring a uniform standard for patient verification.

Individuals who do not possess a My Number card are not excluded from the healthcare system. The government provides the qualification-confirmation document as an alternative for those who cannot or choose not to use the digital integration. This ensures that access to medical care remains available while the state pushes for full adoption of the digital ID system.

Officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said the move is necessary to complete the transition to the My Number-integrated system. The integration is designed to link insurance eligibility directly to the national ID system, removing the need for frequent physical card renewals.

“Japan has ended the provisional measure allowing patients to use expired traditional health insurance cards”

The move signals Japan's commitment to a fully digitized administrative infrastructure. By forcing the transition from paper to the My Number system, the government is reducing the overhead of physical card distribution and updating the state's ability to track insurance eligibility in real time. However, the continued use of qualification-confirmation documents indicates a pragmatic approach to avoid public backlash from citizens who are hesitant to adopt the digital ID.