As used in this chapter the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Authority”, the commonwealth health insurance connector authority.

“Board”, the board of the commonwealth health insurance connector, established by section 2.

“Business entity”, a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or other legal entity.

“Carrier”, an insurer licensed or otherwise authorized to transact accident and health insurance under chapter 175; a nonprofit hospital service corporation organized under chapter 176A; a nonprofit medical service corporation organized under chapter 176B; a health maintenance organization organized under chapter 176G.

“Commissioner”, the commissioner of insurance.

“Commonwealth care health insurance program”, the program administered under chapter 118H.

“Commonwealth care health insurance program enrollees”, individuals and their dependents eligible to enroll in the commonwealth care health insurance program.

“Connector”, the commonwealth health insurance connector.

“Connector seal of approval”, the approval given by the board of the connector to indicate that a health benefit plan meets certain standards regarding quality and value.

“Division”, the division of health care finance and policy.

"Eligible individual", an individual who is a resident of the commonwealth and who is not seeking individual coverage to replace an employer sponsored health plan for which the individual is eligible and which provides coverage that is at least actuarially equivalent to minimum creditable coverage.

“Eligible small groups”, groups, any sole proprietorship, labor union, educational, professional, civic, trade, church, not-for-profit or social organization or firms, corporations, partnerships or associations actively engaged in business that on at least 50 per cent of its working days during the preceding year employed at least one but not more than 50 employees.

“Health benefit plan”, any individual, general, blanket or group policy of health, accident and sickness insurance issued by an insurer licensed under chapter 175; a group hospital service plan issued by a non-profit hospital service corporation under chapter 176A; a group medical service plan issued by a non-profit medical service corporation under chapter 176B; a group health maintenance contract issued by a health maintenance organization under chapter 176G; a coverage for young adults health insurance plan under section 10 of chapter 176J. The words “health benefit plan” shall not include accident only, credit-only, limited scope vision or dental benefits if offered separately, hospital indemnity insurance policies if offered as independent, non-coordinated benefits which for the purposes of this chapter shall mean policies issued under chapter 175 which provide a benefit not to exceed $500 per day, as adjusted on an annual basis by the amount of increase in the average weekly wages in the commonwealth as defined in section 1 of chapter 152, to be paid to an insured or a dependent, including the spouse of an insured, on the basis of a hospitalization of the insured or a dependent, disability income insurance, coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance, specified disease insurance that is purchased as a supplement and not as a substitute for a health plan and meets any requirements the commissioner by regulation may set, insurance arising out of a workers' compensation law or similar law, automobile medical payment insurance, insurance under which benefits are payable with or without regard to fault and which is statutorily required to be contained in a liability insurance policy or equivalent self insurance, long-term care if offered separately, coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under 10 U.S.C. section 55 if offered as a separate insurance policy, or any policy subject to chapter 176K or any similar policies issued on a group basis, Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Prescription drug plans. A health plan issued, renewed or delivered within or without the commonwealth to an individual who is enrolled in a qualifying student health insurance program under section 18 of chapter 15A shall not be considered a health plan for the purposes of this chapter and shall be governed by said chapter 15A. The commissioner may by regulation define other health coverage as a health benefit plan for the purposes of this chapter.

“Mandated benefits”, a health service or category of health service provider which a carrier is required by its licensing or other statute to include in its health benefit plan.

“Participating institution”, an eligible group that purchases health benefit plans through the connector.

“Premium assistance payment”, a payment made to carriers by the connector.

“Rating factor”, characteristics including, but not limited to, age, industry, rate basis type, geography, wellness program usage or tobacco usage.

“Sub-connector”, a locally incorporated and governed organization, with demonstrated experience in the small business health insurance and benefit market and which has been authorized to function in conjunction with the board of the connector.