BEIJING — The employer payment of employee medical insurance by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in eligible regions across China will be postponed in a phased manner, an official said on June 17.

With a three-month time frame, the policy is expected to defer a total payment of around 150 billion yuan (about $22.4 billion) to assist MSMEs and stabilize employment, Chen Jinfu, deputy head of the National Healthcare Security Administration, told a press conference.

The eligibility is based on the affordability of medical insurance funds by localities under unified national management, Chen said.