Social security cards will be consolidated in northeast Fujian province next year, Strait News reported on May 9, citing the Fuzhou Human Resources and Social Security Bureau.

A collaboration pact on medical insurance reform was signed by Fuzhou, Putian and Ningde, as well as the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, on Thursday.

Under the framework, residents from the four places who have medical insurance will be able to use their social security cards for discounts on medical fees at designated hospitals and pharmacies starting in 2015.

Moreover, the pact states that insured people will no longer have to get approval from a local social security institution before using the card in the other three places. Previously, they had to file an application before buying medicine with the card at any nonlocal area.

The change will save a lot of trouble for insured people who undergo job transfers, or get suddenly sick away from home, experts said.