Sec. 2. Notwithstanding IC 34-18-6, the commissioner may:
(1) discharge the possible liability of the patient's compensation fund to a patient through a periodic payments agreement (as defined in IC 34-18-14-2); and
(2) combine money from the fund with money of the health care provider (or its insurer) to pay the cost of the periodic payments agreement with the patient (or the patient's estate). However, the amount provided by the commissioner may not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the total amount expended for the agreement.