a. the purchase by an individual or employer of a qualified higher deductible health benefit plan which is approved by the State Department of Health and offered by an entity regulated by the State Department of Health or is approved by the Insurance Commissioner and offered by an entity regulated by the Insurance Commissioner or is offered by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board for the benefit of the individual or an employee of the employer and the dependents of that individual or the employee,

b. the deposit by an individual into a medical savings account or the contribution on behalf of an employee into a medical care account by an employer of all or part of the premium differential realized by the employer based on the purchase of a qualified higher deductible health plan for the benefit of the employee. An employer that did not previously provide a health plan or provide a health coverage policy, certificate, or contract for employees may contribute all or part of the deductible of a qualified higher deductible health benefit plan; and