During any period in which an employee is covered under this article prior to the date of his retirement, there shall be withheld from each salary payment or other compensation of such employee, as his share of the cost of coverage under this plan, such portion of the premium or subscription charges under the terms of any contract or contracts issued in accordance with this article as may be established by the board. During any month in which benefits are being paid by the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia to an individual so covered under this program, contributions in the amounts prescribed by the board shall be deducted from such payments with the consent of the recipient. The various departments, boards, and agencies of the state government shall contribute to the health insurance fund such portions of the cost of such benefits as may be established by the board and the Governor as funds become available in each department, board, and agency, based on a percentage of the total outlay for personal services in addition to an amount to be established by the board to defray the cost of administration and the state's portion of the cost of benefits payable for annuitants. The legislative fiscal officer shall contribute to the health insurance fund as an employer payment for and on behalf of all members of the General Assembly and its administrative and clerical personnel. The Department of Administrative Services shall contribute to the fund as an employer payment for and on behalf of district attorneys, assistant district attorneys appointed pursuant to Code Section 15-18-14, and secretaries and law clerks of the superior courts of the state and secretaries employed by district attorneys. The amount of such contributions shall be such portions of the costs of such benefits as may be established by the board as a percent of the total outlay of services rendered by members of the General Assembly, its administrative and clerical personnel, and the district attorneys of the superior courts of the state; and, in addition thereto, an amount to be established by the board shall be contributed to defray the costs of administration.

If an employee has been eligible for coverage under the state health insurance plan for a period of ten years and is discharged from employment and the discharge is under appeal to the State Personnel Board, such employee shall be entitled to continue coverage by paying the employee contribution under the health insurance plan until the State Personnel Board has rendered a decision or for a period of six months, whichever is less.