The state highway patrol retirement board may establish a program under which a member or a member’s employer is permitted to make additional deposits for the purpose of providing funds for the payment of health, medical, hospital, surgical, dental, or vision care expenses, including insurance premiums, deductible amounts, or copayments. The program may be a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association, as described in section 501(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(9), as amended; an account described in section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 401(h), as amended; a medical savings account; or a similar type of program under which an individual may accumulate funds for the purpose of paying such expenses. To implement the program, the board may enter into agreements with insurance companies or other entities authorized to conduct business in this state.

If the board establishes a program under this section, it shall adopt rules to administer the program.