(a) An employee covered by the program shall pay that portion of the cost of coverage selected by the employee that exceeds the amount of the state contribution under § 1579.251 and the participating entity contribution under § 1579.252.
(b) The employee may pay the employee’s contribution under this subsection from the amount distributed to the employee under Subchapter D, Chapter 22, Education Code.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a participating entity may pay any portion of what otherwise would be the employee share of premiums and other costs associated with the coverage selected by the employee.