20 Jan Lump-sum allowance

【出産育児一時金】
Lump-sum allowance for childbirth and nursing

As the childbirth is not a disease, it is not covered by Health Insurance and it will cost between 420.000 and 550.000 yen to give birth in Sapporo.
If you are covered by any of the Japanese Health Insurance system, your Health Insurance Association pays you 420.000 yen per baby. Or 408.000 yen if your hospital is not enrolled in the Obstetric Medical Compensation System.

If you present your Health Insurance card and fill out the consent form for the Direct Payment System when you are hospitalized for delivery, your Health Insurance Association will pay the full-amount of the lump-sum allowance for childbirth and nursing directly to the hospital.
If your delivery expense exceed 420.000 yen, you must pay the balance directly to the hospital.
If your expenses are less than 420.000 yen, the balance will be refunded to you by the Health Insurance Association.

Direct Payment System
Tell the hospital that you want to use this system and show your health insurance card.
You won’t have to pay out a large sum of money as your Health Insurance Association will pay the hospital directly.

Health Promotion Section, Sapporo Public Health Office
(札幌市保健福祉局保健所健康企画課)

Information from Hokkaido University International Women’s club:
“delivery expense.pdf” (in English)

Last reviewed on Jan. 12, 2022