(a) A health benefit plan issuer participating in the program must:
(1) use rating practices for qualifying health benefit plans that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and
(2) in setting premiums for qualifying health benefit plans, consider the availability of reimbursement from the fund.
(b) A health benefit plan issuer participating in the program shall apply rating factors consistently with respect to all small employers in a class of business.

(c) Differences in premium rates charged for qualifying health benefit plans must be reasonable and reflect objective differences in plan design.