HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN COVERAGE FOR RETIREES

(a) A retiree who applies for coverage during an enrollment period may not be denied coverage in a health benefit plan provided under this chapter for which the retiree is eligible unless the trustee finds under Subchapter K that the retiree defrauded or attempted to defraud the group program. (b) A retiree who has coverage under a health benefit plan offered under the group program shall pay a monthly contribution, as determined by the trustee. (c) As a condition of electing coverage under a health benefit plan, the retiree must, in writing, authorize the trustee to deduct the amount of the contribution from the retiree's monthly annuity payment. The trustee shall deduct the contribution in the manner and form determined by the trustee. (d) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a retiree is not required to pay a monthly contribution under this section until the 2022 plan year if the retiree: (1) has taken a disability retirement under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas on or before January 1, 2017; (2) is receiving disability retirement benefits from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; and (3) is not eligible to enroll in Medicare. (e) This subsection and Subsection (d) expire at the end of the 2021 plan year on December 31, 2021.