§9805.__Eligibility; enrollment

Subject to the provisions of this section, all persons are eligible to receive the benefits specified in section 9804.__The board shall adopt rules regarding application for a plan card and membership in the plan.__The rules must provide for at least the following.

1.__Residency requirement.__A person not already covered under a federally sponsored health plan who is a resident of this State for at least one month at the time of enrollment is eligible to receive health care under the plan and may enroll in the plan.__A dependent member of an eligible person's household is also eligible.

2.__Nonresidents.__A person who is not a resident of the State who maintains significant contact with the State, including employment or self-employment within the State or attendance at a college, university or other institution of higher education in the State, is eligible to receive health care under the plan.__ Eligibility extends to a person qualifying under this subsection and to that person's spouse and dependents.__The board shall adopt rules establishing criteria for eligibility for nonresidents and determine the premium to be paid and the method of payment.

3.__Continued participation.__A plan member who ceases to be eligible for the plan may elect, within 60 days of__losing eligibility, to continue participation in the plan for up to 18 months.__The board shall ensure that plan members who become ineligible for enrollment in the plan are promptly notified of the provisions of this subsection.__The board shall adopt rules establishing the premium to be paid by persons eligible under this subsection and the method of payment.

4.__Plan card.__To establish eligibility, each person must apply for a plan card and satisfy the application requirements established by the board.__The board shall ensure that the applicant is issued a plan card within 30 days of receipt of a completed application or provided a written explanation for denial of the card or any restrictions placed on the applicant's participation.__If good cause exists to believe that the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements in this