SEC. 244. AFFORDABILITY COST-SHARING CREDIT.

[a] In General- The affordability cost-sharing credit under this section for an affordable credit eligible individual enrolled in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan is in the form of the cost-sharing reduction described in subsection [b] provided under this section for the income tier in which the individual is classified based on the individual's family income.

[b] Cost-sharing Reductions- The Commissioner shall specify a reduction in cost-sharing amounts and the annual limitation on cost-sharing specified in section 122[c][2][B] under a basic plan for each income tier specified in the table under section 243[d], with respect to a year, in a manner so that, as estimated by the Commissioner, the actuarial value of the coverage with such reduced cost-sharing amounts [and the reduced annual cost-sharing limit] is equal to the actuarial value percentage [specified in the table under section 243[d] for the income tier involved] of the full actuarial value if there were no cost-sharing imposed under the plan.

[c] Determination and Payment of Cost-sharing Affordability Credit- In the case of an affordable credit eligible individual in a tier enrolled in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan offered by a QHBP offering entity, the Commissioner shall provide for payment to the offering entity of an amount equivalent to the increased actuarial value of the benefits under the plan provided under section 203[c][2][B] resulting from the reduction in cost-sharing described in subsection [b].