Core Insights - The province has officially entered the "face recognition era" for medical insurance services, with over 3,000 medical institutions in 12 cities (districts) adopting face recognition payment systems [1][2] - Face recognition payment allows insured individuals to complete identity verification and medical expense settlement without carrying physical social security cards or smartphones, enhancing convenience [1][2] Group 1 - The implementation of face recognition payment significantly reduces payment queue times and addresses issues such as forgetting insurance cards or unfamiliarity with smartphone operations [1] - Nearly 1,500 retail pharmacies in Xi'an support face recognition medical insurance settlement, while other cities have deployed self-service terminals for easy access to medical insurance services [2] - The technology enhances transaction efficiency and improves the overall experience for insured individuals when seeking medical care or purchasing medications [2] Group 2 - Face recognition payment utilizes reliable facial recognition technology to accurately verify the identity of individuals, effectively preventing fraudulent activities such as card theft and misuse [2] - The initiative is particularly beneficial for elderly individuals who may struggle with using smartphones, thereby deepening the province's commitment to accessible medical insurance services [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing convenience of medical insurance settlement through digital means, particularly the controversial push for facial recognition technology in pharmacies and healthcare facilities, which has raised concerns about privacy and compliance with legal standards [1][4][10]. Group 1: Convenience of Medical Insurance Settlement - Medical insurance settlement is becoming more convenient, evolving from physical cards to electronic codes and now to facial recognition for payment [1]. - The push for facial recognition is part of a broader digital transformation aimed at facilitating access for elderly and less tech-savvy individuals [4][10]. Group 2: Issues with Mandatory Facial Recognition - Reports indicate that some pharmacies and community health service stations are requiring patients to use facial recognition, with claims that it is a new regulation [3][4]. - Complaints have emerged from various regions, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shanghai, where patients have been told that they cannot proceed without facial recognition [4][10]. Group 3: Performance Metrics and Pressure on Healthcare Workers - Some healthcare facilities have set hard targets for the usage rate of electronic medical insurance codes, linking these metrics to employee performance evaluations [4][10]. - A healthcare worker revealed that if the electronic medical insurance code usage does not meet the required percentage, it could negatively impact their performance assessment and financial incentives [10]. Group 4: Legal and Ethical Concerns - The practice of mandatory facial recognition is legally questionable, as it violates regulations protecting sensitive personal information [10][11]. - New regulations emphasize that facial recognition should not be the only option available and that patients must be informed and give explicit consent [10][11].