BEIJING -- More than 500 million people thus far hold electronic certificates for China's basic medical insurance scheme, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country's total insured population, said the National Healthcare Security Administration on Feb 20.

E-certificates can currently be used to pay medical bills in more than 100,000 designated medical institutions and 220,000 retail pharmacies in 208 cities nationwide, said the administration.

China launched e-certificates for basic medical insurance in 2019 to provide online healthcare services.