BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama for a limited time is offering guaranteed private health insurance to uninsured residents under age 65, the Birmingham News reports. The offer is available to residents with chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes after they complete a 12-month pre-existing condition waiting period. Monthly premiums for the coverage are $167 for individuals and $368 for families. In addition, there is $1,000 deductible for individuals and a $3,000 deductible for families. Prescription drug coverage begins after $250 per person deductible. BCBSA did not disclose a cutoff date, according to the News. BCBSA has waived normal enrollment regulations for individuals once before in the fall of 2003 in an effort to help provide coverage to the state's almost 600,000 uninsured residents. About 26,000 residents enrolled during that promotion and about 80% to 85% still have BlueCross coverage, Jim Brown, spokesperson for the company, said. According to Brown, the company made the offer for a second time because more residents need to be insured (Velasco, Birmingham News, 8/17).