§8988 Premiums

Summary

People who get supplemental vision coverage under this law must pay 100 percent of the premiums. The Office will write rules about how people pay. Premiums can be taken from an employee’s pay, from an annuitant’s annuity, from the pay or annuity of a covered TRICARE-eligible person who gets federal pay or annuity because a service member died (and who is not a former spouse), or billed directly to other covered TRICARE-eligible people. Money taken out must go straight to the qualified company, and each participating qualified company must keep accounting records the Office requires. The Employee Health Benefits Fund can pay reasonable Office expenses without a fiscal year limit for costs before the first day of the first contract period, including startup costs. The Fund also has a Vision Benefits Administrative Account, available without fiscal year limit, to pay Office expenses after the first contract year begins. Contracts must require the qualified company to make yearly, periodic contributions to that account so the Office’s expected expenses are covered.