(A) The state highway patrol retirement board may enter into an agreement with insurance companies, health insuring corporations, or government agencies authorized to do business in the state for issuance of a policy or contract of health, medical, hospital, or surgical benefits, or any combination thereof, for those persons receiving pensions and subscribing to the plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the policy or contract may also include coverage for any eligible individual's spouse and dependent children and for any of the individual's sponsored dependents as the board considers appropriate.

If all or any portion of the policy or contract premium is to be paid by any individual receiving a service, disability, or survivor pension or benefit, the individual shall, by written authorization, instruct the board to deduct from the individual's pension or benefit the premium agreed to be paid by the individual to the company, corporation, or agency.

The board may contract for coverage on the basis of part or all of the cost of the coverage to be paid from appropriate funds of the state highway patrol retirement system. The cost paid from the funds of the system shall be included in the employer's contribution rate as provided by section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board shall, beginning the month following receipt of satisfactory evidence of the payment for coverage, pay monthly to each recipient of a pension under the state highway patrol retirement system who is eligible for coverage under part B of the medicare program established under Title XVIII of "The Social Security Amendments of 1965," 79 Stat. 301 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395j, as amended, an amount established by board rule not exceeding the basic premium for such coverage.

(C) The board shall establish by rule requirements for the coordination of any coverage, payment, or benefit provided under this section with any similar coverage, payment, or benefit made available to the same individual by the public employees retirement system, Ohio police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, or school employees retirement system.

(D) The board shall make all other necessary rules pursuant to the purpose and intent of this section.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.149, SB 345, §1, eff. 1/7/2013.

Effective Date: 10-01-2002 .