Kanagawa Kenmin Kyosai Launches 'Pre-birth Peace of Mind Application' for Prenatal Child Mutual Aid Enrollment

Kanagawa Kenmin Kyosai (President: Yasuhiro Teshima) has launched the "Pre-birth Peace of Mind Application" for its child-focused mutual aid system, "Kenmin Kyosai Ikiki Shin Kodomo." This service allows expectant parents to secure insurance coverage for their unborn children starting from the pregnancy period.

This initiative was developed in response to customer feedback expressing a desire to eliminate anxiety immediately after birth and prepare for unforeseen circumstances during pregnancy. Expectant mothers who are less than 22 weeks pregnant and meet specified criteria can now apply for coverage before their child is born. Once the process is complete, coverage begins on the day of birth, and premium payments start from the month of birth onward.

The period following childbirth is characterized by significant life changes, including childcare responsibilities, administrative tasks, and the mother's own health recovery. Furthermore, if a child requires hospitalization or treatment immediately after birth, it can become difficult to enroll in mutual aid programs later. Kanagawa Kenmin Kyosai offers this new option to provide peace of mind during the pre- and post-natal periods.

### Key Features of the "Pre-birth Peace of Mind Application"

1. **Apply for Child Coverage During Pregnancy** Expectant mothers who are less than 22 weeks pregnant are eligible to apply for the "Kenmin Kyosai Ikiki Shin Kodomo" program before delivery.

2. **Coverage Starts from the Moment of Birth** By submitting the "Contract Application Form" during pregnancy and the "Additional Notification Form" after birth, coverage is guaranteed from the moment the child is born.

3. **Payments Begin After Birth** While the application is submitted during pregnancy, premium payments only commence after the child is born, reducing the financial burden on the household during pregnancy.

### Program Overview

- **Eligibility:** Expectant mothers (single or twin pregnancy) who are less than 22 weeks pregnant at the time of application. Applicants must already be members of the mutual aid cooperative (or join simultaneously) and meet other criteria, such as being between 18 and 43 years old. - **Target Program:** Kenmin Kyosai Ikiki Shin Kodomo (Monthly premium: 1,000 JPY / Coverage until age 18). - **Application Process:** Submit the "Contract Application Form" during pregnancy and the "Additional Notification Form" within three months of the expected due date after birth. - **Core Coverage:** Includes 6,000 JPY/day for hospitalization, 3,000 JPY/day for outpatient visits, and up to 300,000 JPY per surgery. It provides comprehensive support for illnesses, injuries, and accidents.

### Background and Example

Post-birth recovery and administrative tasks often prevent parents from having enough time to consider mutual aid enrollment. Additionally, early health issues can make later enrollment difficult.

**Example Case:** If a newborn is hospitalized in the NICU for 24 days and later hospitalized for 6 days due to RSV pneumonia, the total payout would be 180,000 JPY (6,000 JPY x 30 days).