The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Administrator" means the administrator of the Washington state health care authority, established under chapter 41.05 RCW.

     (2) "Board" means the health insurance partnership board established in RCW 70.47A.100.

     (3) "Eligible partnership participant" means a partnership participant who:

     (a) Is a resident of the state of Washington; and

     (b) Has family income that does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty level, as determined annually by the federal department of health and human services.

     (4) "Health benefit plan" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005.

     (5) "Participating small employer" means a small employer that has entered into an agreement with the partnership to purchase health benefits through the partnership. To participate in the partnership, an employer must attest to the fact that (a) the employer does not currently offer health insurance to its employees and has not offered insurance for at least six months, and (b) at least fifty percent of the employer's employees are low-wage workers.

     (6) "Partnership" means the health insurance partnership established in RCW 70.47A.030.

     (7) "Partnership participant" means a participating small employer and employees of a participating small employer, and, except to the extent provided otherwise in RCW 70.47A.110(1)(e), a former employee of a participating small employer who chooses to continue receiving coverage through the partnership following separation from employment.

     (8) "Small employer" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005.

     (9) "Subsidy" or "premium subsidy" means payment or reimbursement to an eligible partnership participant toward the purchase of a health benefit plan, and may include a net billing arrangement with insurance carriers or a prospective or retrospective payment for health benefit plan premiums.

[2011 c 287 § 1; 2008 c 143 § 1; 2007 c 260 § 2; 2006 c 255 § 2.]