(a) The employer election of the 384-e benefit improvement filed with the Comptroller shall specify the “coverage period” as described in section 346.1 of this Part. An employer election to provide the benefit improvement will be deemed to provide an unlimited coverage period unless the election specifically establishes the opening and/or closing dates of the coverage period.

(b) A limited coverage period may be established by specifying the opening and closing dates of such coverage period in the employer election filed with the Comptroller.

(c) The coverage period elected by the employer must be at least one year in duration. The coverage period may not be shortened after the employer election specifying the opening and closing dates of the coverage period is filed with the Comptroller. However, the employer may extend the coverage period by filing an election with the Comptroller specifying the new closing date of the coverage period, prior to the unextended closing date provided in the original election.

(d) An employer may elect to provide an additional coverage period to commence at any date following the close of a previous coverage period, by filing an additional election. Such an additional coverage period must be at least one year in duration, and an election to provide such an additional coverage period must be filed in the same manner as an original employer election.