The electronic insurance system will be launched by the end of the year when the first four online services for insurers, firms and health institutions will be introduced by stages, the government has decided at a session.

Spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev told a news conference on Sunday that by the end of 2012, health insurance will be registered and cancelled online, registration and cancellation of a chosen doctor will be made online, firms will be able online to apply for issuance of electronic health cards and the status of a health insurance will be checked online.

These four services are part of the first stage of the "Electronic Insurance" project. The second stage will be launched in 2013.

Gjorgiev said that over 20 services will function in the electronic health insurance system, which are due to be enabled by stages in the next six months.

"By introducing the system and the services, there will be no unnecessary expenses and the efficiency of the personnel in the Health Insurance Fund will be boosted," the spokesman noted.