Section 8509 - Health insurance premium assistance program(a) Contribution rate.--Effective July 1, 1991, the premium assistance contribution rate established in section 8328(f) (relating to actuarial cost method) shall be sufficient to provide reserves in the health insurance account as of June 30, 1992, for the payment of premium assistance set forth in subsection (b) during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1992, for all eligible annuitants who by that date elect to be participating eligible annuitants and all additional eligible annuitants who elect to be participating eligible annuitants in the health insurance premium assistance program during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1992. For each fiscal year beginning after July 1, 1991, the premium assistance contribution rate shall be established to provide reserves sufficient, when combined with unexpended amounts from the reserves set aside the previous fiscal year for health insurance assistance payments, to provide premium assistance payments in the subsequent fiscal year for all participating eligible annuitants. The board is authorized to expend an amount not to exceed 2% of the health insurance account each year to pay for the direct expense of administering the health insurance premium assistance program, which expenditure may be included in the board's consideration when it establishes the premium assistance contribution rate each year.(b) Amount of premium assistance.--Participating eligible annuitants shall receive premium assistance payments as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2). Such payments shall be made by the board to the participating eligible annuitants for their payment directly to their approved insurance carriers. Such payments may also be paid by the board, at the board's discretion, directly to the participating eligible annuitants' approved insurance carriers. The board shall have the right to verify the application and receipt of the payments by the participating eligible annuitants and their approved insurance carriers. The premium assistance payments are as follows:(1) Effective July 1, 1992, $55 per month or the actual monthly premium, whichever is less.(2) Effective January 1, 2002, $100 per month or the actual monthly premium, whichever is less.(c) Participating eligible annuitants.--An eligible annuitant may elect to participate in the health insurance premium assistance program by filing an election to be covered by a health insurance carrier approved by the board and to participate in the health insurance premium assistance program. Participation in the health insurance premium assistance program shall begin upon the effective date of the health insurance coverage provided by a health insurance carrier approved by the board, but in no event before the effective date of retirement.1991, Aug. 5, P.L. 183, No. 23, § 10, imd. effective. Amended 1994, April 29, P.L. 159, No. 29, § 6, retroactive effective 7/1/1992; 2001, May 17, P.L. 26, No. 9, § 6, imd. effective.