Medical smartcard brings convenience

Beijing residents whose medical insurance is not registered with the Beijing social welfare system can now apply for a "medical smartcard" that facilitates service and payment at local hospitals, the Beijing News reported.

According to the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals, the smartcard will cover 12 Beijing-based hospitals, eliminating the need for residents to get different cards for treatment at different hospitals and to use the smartcard to pay for medical fees. The 12 local hospitals include Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing Tongren Hospital and Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.