(b) Every contract providing hospital, medical or surgical expense benefits or service benefits shall be deemed to include a reasonable extension of such benefits upon discontinuance of the contract if it provides benefits for covered services directly relating to the condition causing total disability existing at the time dues payments cease for the employee or dependent and incurred during a period of not less than 12 months thereafter, which period shall not be interrupted by discontinuance of the contract.

That extension of benefits may be terminated at such time as the employee or dependent is no longer totally disabled or at such time as a succeeding carrier may elect to provide replacement coverage to that employee or dependent without limitation as to the disabling condition.