Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a carrier that offers a health benefit plan, including a grandfathered plan, may not establish lifetime limits or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits for any insured individual. To the extent that limits are otherwise authorized under federal or State law, a carrier may establish annual limits on the dollar value of benefits for an insured individual for a grandfathered plan that is an individual plan. This section may not be construed to prohibit a carrier from placing annual or lifetime per beneficiary limits on specific covered benefits that are not essential health benefits.