(a) The department shall charge a $50 enrollment fee to all participants in the Medicaid buy-in program. Upon payment of the enrollment fee, the first month's premium payment is waived. Medicaid coverage begins on the first day of the month following payment of the enrollment fee.
(b) The department shall develop a sliding scale of premiums for individuals participating in the buy-in program. The sliding scale shall:
(1) Be based on the annual gross income of the individual; and