Under the ACA, what describes a Qualified Health Plan (QHP)?

• A. A plan offered only to employers
• B. A high-deductible plan that excludes essential health benefits
• C. A health plan certified by the Health Insurance Marketplace to include essential health benefits
• D. A plan that is not certified by any marketplace

Answer: (C)

A Qualified Health Plan is a health plan that has been certified by the Health Insurance Marketplace to include essential health benefits. These plans are the ones offered on the Marketplace and are designed to meet specific standards, including coverage of essential health benefits, limits on out-of-pocket costs, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. They may also be eligible for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions for qualifying individuals. The other descriptions don’t fit because plans offered only to employers aren’t Marketplace-certified QHPs by definition, plans that exclude essential health benefits fail to meet the standard, and plans not certified by any marketplace can’t be considered QHPs.