Sec. 1301. Qualified Health Plan Defined
(a) Qualified Health Plan:

In this title:(1) IN GENERAL:The term ‘qualified health plan’ means a health plan that--(A) has in effect a certification (which may include a seal or other indication of approval) that such plan meets the criteria for certification described in section 1311(c) issued or recognized by each Exchange through which such plan is offered;

(B) provides the essential health benefits package described in section 1302(a); and

(C) is offered by a health insurance issuer that:(i) is licensed and in good standing to offer health insurance coverage in each State in which such issuer offers health insurance coverage under this title;

(ii) agrees to offer at least one qualified health plan in the silver level and at least one plan in the gold level in each such Exchange;

(iii) agrees to charge the same premium rate for each qualified health plan of the issuer without regard to whether the plan is offered through an Exchange or whether the plan is offered directly from the issuer or through an agent; and

(iv) complies with the regulations developed by the Secretary under section 1311(d) and such other requirements as an applicable Exchange may establish.(2) INCLUSION OF CO-OP PLANS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION:Any reference in this title to a qualified health plan shall be deemed to include a qualified health plan offered through the CO-OP program under section 1322 or a community health insurance option under section 1323, unless specifically provided for otherwise.

(b) Terms Relating to Health Plans:

In this title:(1) HEALTH PLAN(A) IN GENERAL:
The term ‘health plan’ means health insurance coverage and a group health plan.(B) EXCEPTION FOR SELF-INSURED PLANS AND MEWAS:

Except to the extent specifically provided by this title, the term ‘health plan’ shall not include a group health plan or multiple employer welfare arrangement to the extent the plan or arrangement is not subject to State insurance regulation under section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
(2) HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND ISSUER:The terms ‘health insurance coverage’ and ‘health insurance issuer’ have the meanings given such terms by section 2791(b) of the Public Health Service Act.(3) GROUP HEALTH PLAN:The term ‘group health plan’ has the meaning given such term by section 2791(a) of the Public Health Service Act.