BlogsGet your Illinois health insurance coverage explained by our experts. We will also give you advice and tips to handle a variety of issues you may encounter.https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/atom14.0.0.684 142026-07-28T04:02:00ZWe Use a Variety of Methods to Get You the Information You Needhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/ways-to-get-information2026-11-04T15:19:00Z2026-11-04T15:19:00ZBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) uses several methods to send information to keep you informed about your health care.
BCBSIL may provide information by:
Email.
Phone.
Messages to your mobile device.
Mail: We will mail materials to yo...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/ways-to-get-information">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=882^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectEnrolled for 2027? Here’s What to Expect Nexthttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-to-expect-next2026-11-04T14:29:00Z2026-11-04T14:29:00Z<a title="https://connect.bcbsil.com/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/que-sigue" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/que-sigue"></a>
When you enrolled in your 2027 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois health plan, you started a chain reaction.* We have been hard at work for several months preparing a journey just for you.
Welcome Communications
First, if you chose electronic de...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-to-expect-next">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=881^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectSeeing a Specialist: Referrals, Costs and What to Expecthttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/specialist2026-11-04T12:24:00Z2026-11-04T12:24:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/especialista"></a>
Learn what medical specialists do, when your primary care provider may recommend one, and whether you need a referral before scheduling an appointment.
What Is a Medical Specialist?
A specialist is a doctor who has additional education and clinical ...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/specialist">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=893^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectWhat Is 3D Mammography?https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-3d-mammography2026-09-29T11:35:00Z2026-09-29T11:35:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/en-que-consisten-las-mamografias-3d"></a>
Women have choices when it comes to breast cancer screenings. A standard mammogram every one or two years is the recommended best practice for early detection. It can detect breast cancer up to three years before it can be felt.
Since their introduc...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-3d-mammography">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=294^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectMembers Can Appeal Coverage Decisionshttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/appeals-decisions2026-09-28T13:35:00Z2026-09-28T13:35:00ZInternal Appeals
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has an internal claims and appeals process that allows you to appeal decisions about paying claims, eligibility for coverage or ending coverage.
Please check “adverse benefit determination...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/appeals-decisions">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=878^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectLooking for Ways to Save on Healthy Gifts?https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/deals-blue3652026-09-28T11:36:00Z2026-09-28T11:36:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/ofertas-blue365"></a>Do your shopping lists never end? Are you a champion bargain hunter? Then Blue365® is perfect for you. Blue365 is a discount service that saves you money on a variety of everyday needs and healthy lifestyle aids.
How Does It Work?
Any member of a...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/deals-blue365">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=876^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectGet to Know Your Medical Tests: Preventive vs. Diagnostichttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/medical-tests-preventive-vs-diagnostic2026-09-28T09:57:00Z2026-09-28T09:57:00Z<a title="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/pruebas-medicas-prevencion-y-de-diagnostico" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/pruebas-medicas-prevencion-y-de-diagnostico"></a>When your doctor orders a test for you, it’s important to know what type of test is ordered. There are two types, preventive and diagnostic.
Knowing the difference between these two types of tests will help you better understand your treatment ...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/medical-tests-preventive-vs-diagnostic">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1395^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectKnow Your Colorectal Cancer Screening Optionshttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/cancer-screening-preventive-diagnostic2026-09-28T09:28:00Z2026-09-28T09:28:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/conoce-tus-opciones-de-deteccion-del-cancer-colorrectal"></a>Getting screened for colon cancer is an important way to protect your health.
Colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. But colon cancer can be successfully treated when it is found and treated early. Until it grows or spre...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/cancer-screening-preventive-diagnostic">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1157^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectGet Fit and Save in Octoberhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/fitness-program-waived-enrollment2026-09-01T08:17:00Z2026-09-01T08:17:00ZWell onTarget and the Fitness Program are not available to all members. Check your online account information or ask your benefits administrator to see if you have these benefits.
If you’re looking to stay in shape, or get back in shape, n...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/fitness-program-waived-enrollment">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=916^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectNeed Reconstructive Surgery After a Mastectomy? You’re Coveredhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/reconstructive-surgery-mastectomy2026-08-27T19:43:00Z2026-08-27T19:43:00ZIt’s normal to be anxious if you find out you need to have a mastectomy. A mastectomy is the removal of one or both breasts. This procedure is most often performed to treat breast cancer.
If you are facing this surgery, take some comfort ...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/reconstructive-surgery-mastectomy">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1032^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectWhat Is an HMO?https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-an-hmo2026-08-27T18:48:00Z2026-08-27T18:48:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/que-es-una-cobertura-hmo"></a>
An HMO — or health maintenance organization — can help keep your costs lower and more predictable compared to other types of plans. With one medical group to coordinate your care, an HMO health plan is easy to use.
An HMO health plan off...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-an-hmo">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1219^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectIs My Prescription a Pharmacy or Medical Benefit?https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/pharmacy-benefit-vs-medical-benefit2026-07-30T13:50:00Z2026-07-30T13:50:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/cobertura-para-medicamentos-o-cobertura-medica"></a>
It’s no secret that prescription drugs can be pricey. One of the best ways to save on the drugs you are prescribed is to make sure you understand how your health plan benefits work.
A good place to start is to answer this question: Is my presc...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/pharmacy-benefit-vs-medical-benefit">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1271^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectPlan Year Ending Soon? Make the Most of Ithttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/make-most-of-plan-year-end2026-07-30T10:06:00Z2026-07-30T10:06:00Z<a title="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/aprovechar-al-maximo-la-finalizacion-del-plan-de-cobertura" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/aprovechar-al-maximo-la-finalizacion-del-plan-de-cobertura"></a>If you’re the kind of person who needs a deadline to get things done, there may be a big one just around the corner. If your health plan year is ending soon, it’s a good time to review your health benefits.
Doing so could be a boost to yo...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/make-most-of-plan-year-end">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=872^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectInsurance Basics: Out-of-Pocket Maximumhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-an-out-of-pocket-maximum2026-07-30T09:00:00Z2026-07-30T09:00:00Z<a title="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/gasto-de-bolsillo" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/gasto-de-bolsillo"></a>We know health care terms can be confusing. One you’re sure to run across is “out-of-pocket maximum.” What does it mean? How does it affect you and your family? How does it influence your choice of health plan?
You share the cost of...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/what-is-an-out-of-pocket-maximum">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=131^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnectWhat Is Coordination of Benefits?https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/coordination-of-benefits2026-07-28T09:02:00Z2026-07-28T09:02:00Z<a title="Lee esto en Español" href="/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/coordinacion_2d00_de_2d00_beneficios"></a>
When you need care and are on two different health insurance plans, your insurers will coordinate your benefits (COB). This helps you get maximum coverage when you need it.
If you’re covered by two different health plans, your provider may fil...(<a href="https://connect.bcbsil.com/my-coverage-explained/b/weblog/posts/coordination-of-benefits">read more</a>)<img src="https://connect.bcbsil.com/aggbug?PostID=1063^AppID=5^AppType=Weblog^ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">BCBSIL Connect Teamhttps://connect.bcbsil.com/members/bcbsilconnect