Sec. 1551.156. COVERAGE OPTIONS FOR SURVIVING DEPENDENT. (a) A surviving dependent of an annuitant who was receiving monthly benefits paid by a retirement system named in this chapter may, following the death of the annuitant if there is not a surviving spouse, elect to retain any coverage previously secured by the annuitant until the dependent becomes ineligible for coverage for a reason other than the death of the member of the group.

(b) The coverage is at the group rate for other participants.

(c) A dependent who elects to retain coverage under this section and who is entitled to monthly benefits from a retirement system named in this chapter based on the service of the deceased annuitant must direct the retirement system to deduct required contributions for the coverage from the monthly benefits paid the surviving dependent by the retirement system.

(d) A person who is a surviving dependent of an annuitant may secure group health coverage after the death of the annuitant without evidence of the person's insurability if the annuitant was eligible to participate in the group benefits program of a retirement system named in this chapter but was not participating at the time of the individual's death.

(e) A surviving dependent seeking group coverage under Subsection (d):

(1) must apply for the coverage not later than the 30th day after the date on which the individual who was eligible to participate in the group benefits program dies; and

(2) shall pay for the coverage at the group rate as provided by Subsection (b).

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1308 (H.B. 2559), Sec. 36, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1308 (H.B. 2559), Sec. 37, eff. September 1, 2009.