(1) As a condition of eligibility for Medicaid, an otherwise eligible individual must be either:

(a) a citizen of the United States; or

(b) a qualified alien as defined in ARM 37.78.220 lawfully admitted for permanent residence or who entered the U.S. after August 22, 1996, otherwise permanently residing in the United States, including any alien who is lawfully present in the United States under authority of sections 203(a)(7) or 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(c) a noncitizen legal alien living in the U.S. prior to August 23, 1996.