The state highways and transportation commission may provide for benefits to cover medical expenses and death for members of the closed and year 2000 plans of the highways and transportation employees’ and highway patrol retirement system. Any plan may provide medical benefits for dependents of members and for retirees of the closed and year 2000 plans and for persons entitled to deferred annuities in the closed and year 2000 plans and their dependents. Death benefits shall be comparable to those provided for in section 104.517. Contributions by the state highways and transportation commission to provide the benefits shall be on the same basis as provided for other state employees under the provisions of section 104.515. Except as otherwise provided by law, the cost of benefits for dependents of members and for retirees and their dependents shall be paid by the members or retirees. The commission may contract with other persons or entities including but not limited to third-party administrators, health network providers, and health maintenance organizations for all, or any part of, the benefits provided for in this section. The commission may require reimbursement of any medical claims paid by the commission’s medical plan for which there was third-party liability.