(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 Section 1579.251 and the participating entity contribution under Section 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.