(a) Any individual person who has been a resident of this state for at least six months prior to the application for coverage shall be eligible for coverage under the plan, except the following:
(1) Any person who is at the time of plan application eligible for health care benefits under Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49, the "Georgia Medical Assistance Act of 1977";
(2) Any person having terminated coverage in the plan unless 12 months have elapsed since such termination;
(3) Any person on whose behalf the plan has paid out $500,000.00 in benefits; and
(4) Inmates of public institutions and persons eligible for public programs.
(b) Any person who ceases to meet the eligibility requirements of this Code section may be terminated at the end of the policy period.
(c) Any eligible person may apply for coverage under the plan. If such coverage is applied for within 30 days after the involuntary termination of previous accident and sickness insurance coverage and if premiums are paid to the plan for the entire coverage period to be issued, the effective date of the coverage under the plan shall be the date of termination of the previous coverage.