Sec. 17. (a) A participant is considered to have a permanent disability if the board has received written certifications by at least two (2) licensed and practicing physicians, appointed by the board, that:
(1) the participant is totally incapacitated, by reason of physical or mental infirmities, from earning a livelihood; and
(2) the condition is likely to be permanent.
(b) A participant found to have a permanent disability under subsection (a) must be reexamined by at least two (2) physicians appointed by the board, at the times the board designates but at intervals not to exceed one (1) year. If, in the opinion of these physicians, the participant has recovered from the participant's disability, benefits cease to be payable as of the date of the examination, unless on that date the participant is:
(1) at least sixty-five (65) years of age; or
(2) at least fifty-five (55) years of age and the participant's age in years plus the participant's years of service is at least eighty-five (85).
(c) To the extent required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the transcripts, reports, records, and other material generated to prove that an individual is qualified for disability benefits under this section must be:
(1) kept in separate medical files for each member; and
(2) treated as confidential medical records.