January 11, 2013. Sverdlovsk Region started issuing all-purpose e-cards on January 1, 2013. The cards can be obtained from the outlets in the following locations: Karpinsk, Krasnoufimsk, Irbit, Serov, Kamyshlov, Alapayevsk, Kamensk-Uralsky, Asbest, Pervouralsk, Nizhniy Tagil, and Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Region Government Press Service & Information Administration reports.

In the future, these e-cards are supposed to replace printed documents, so one could check into a hospital without a paper insurance policy. This will be possible due to the special equipment that will be installed at the clinics: the equipment will scan the medical insurance details that are programmed into the card. Besides, the card will also contain details on retirement insurance, identification data, and an e-banking application that will enable the cardholder to use a number of banking services.

The card might also possibly be used for paying one’s public transport fare, including the commuting expenses.