What is a Qualified Health Plan?

What the government has said, on the record

Here's how a federal official described it, on the record:

“An insurance plan that's certified by the Health Insurance Marketplace, provides essential health benefits, follows established limits on cost-sharing (like deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximum amounts), and meets other requirements under the Affordable Care Act.”

— Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services), HealthCare.gov Glossary, Qualified Health Plan (source)

Editor's note: Official HealthCare.gov (CMS) definition. Confirm current rules at HealthCare.gov.