The retirement system may require certain disability retirees under 60 to undergo a medical exam and provide updated medical information.
Sec. 854.409. MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF RETIREES. (a) The retirement system may require, by written request, a disability retiree under this subchapter who is younger than 60 years of age to undergo a medical examination and provide current medical and other relevant information reaffirming the status of the retiree as meeting the requirements for certification of occupational disability under Section 854.407(b). The retirement system or medical board may designate a physician to perform the examination. The retiree shall pay the cost of the examination, unless the director, at the director's discretion, waives that requirement and has the retirement system pay the cost of the examination. (b) If a disability retiree refuses to submit to a medical examination or fails to provide current medical or other information requested under Subsection (a), the retirement system may suspend payments of the disability annuity as provided by this section. (c) If a disability retiree refuses to submit to a medical examination or fails to provide current medical or other information requested under Subsection (a) by the first anniversary of the date the retirement system requested the medical examination or information, the retirement system may suspend payments of the disability annuity until the earlier of the date the retiree: (1) attains 60 years of age; or (2) submits to a medical examination and provides the requested information. (d) If a disability retiree submits to a medical examination and provides the requested information before the fourth anniversary of the date the retirement system requested the medical examination or information, the retirement system may pay the suspended payments of the disability annuity in a lump sum. (e) If the medical board finds that a disability retiree under this subchapter has experienced medical improvement to the extent that the disability retiree no longer meets the requirements for certification of occupational disability under Section 854.407(b), the medical board shall certify the medical board's findings and submit the findings to the director. If the director concurs in the medical board's findings under this section, the director may adopt the findings, and the retirement system may suspend payments of the disability annuity and take other action as the retirement system, in the retirement system's discretion, considers equitable and appropriate to address the situation, until the disability retiree attains 60 years of age. (f) The suspension of a benefit under this section does not suspend payment of a benefit to an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 183, Sec. 13, eff. Aug. 31, 1987. Renumbered from Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. Title 110B, Sec. 64.409 by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 179, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 991 (S.B. 1337), Sec. 14, eff. January 1, 2020.