No employer or insurer of that employer shall terminate, suspend or otherwise restrict the participation in or the receipt of benefits otherwise payable under any program or policy of group insurance to any covered employee who becomes totally disabled while employed by the employer solely on account of absence caused by such total disability. This includes coverage of dependents of the employee. If the employee is required to pay all or any part of the premium for the extension of coverage, payment shall be made to the employer, by the employee.