Blogs

How to Use Your Digital Member ID Card

BCBSIL Connect Team — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:52:00 GMT

Your phone does a lot more than text and make calls these days. It’s a safe place to keep important parts of your life. You can store photos of people you love and use it to pay for things. You can also use it to see your health insurance benef...(read more)

The Help You Need to Navigate Your Health Plan

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:09:00 GMT

Insurance can be confusing. We’re here to help. Our Help Center can help you find the answers you need to use your benefits and get answers to key questions. Get Help in One Handy Place Bookmark the Help Center and visit often for quick, e...(read more)

Complex Health Management Made Easier

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:48:00 GMT

This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. Health care providers often see patients who have one or more medical conditions that would be considered complex. These may include diabetes with heart disease, ...(read more)

Learn About Prescription Costs

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:55:00 GMT

There are many things to know when it comes to getting the medicine you need. How much will it cost? Is there one that will work just as well but cost less? Does it matter where I go to get my prescription filled? And these are just a few. We have so...(read more)

What Is a Premium Tax Credit for Health Insurance?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:58:00 GMT

A premium tax credit is a form of financial assistance. It helps with the cost of buying health insurance. Before you enroll in a new plan, check to see if you qualify for a tax credit. Who Is Eligible? Premium tax credits are for individuals and fam...(read more)

Everything You Need to Know About Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

BCBSIL Connect Team — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:24:00 GMT

Along with acronyms for preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), add two more to your list. Both can help you pay doctor bills and save money. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (...(read more)

How to Find In-Network Providers

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:36:00 GMT

There’s a lot to think about when deciding where to get health care – cost, networks, location and more. Being informed does not have to be tricky. We have resources available to help you make the best decision for you. Your online m...(read more)

Population Health: Strategies that Benefit Our Members

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:04:00 GMT

Population Health has been described as “the overall health of a group of people.” At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we use different types of partnerships to improve the overall health and well-being of our members. We identify ...(read more)

What Is an HMO?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:48:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Know Where to Go When Minutes Count, or Anytime

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:58:00 GMT

It’s important to know where to go when you need care. Sometimes the choice is clear. If you’re having signs of a heart attack or stroke, it’s best to go to an emergency room (ER). But what if you have a sore throat? Or an upset sto...(read more)

What’s In Your Benefit Book?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:10:00 GMT

This article is intended for members enrolled in an individual health insurance plan. In some of the emails, letters and other communications you get from us, you may notice the phrase, “See your Benefit Book for details.” That’s be...(read more)

Why Verifying Your Identity Is Worth Your Time

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:57:45 GMT

Any time you call us with questions about your account or benefits, our automated system asks you to enter your name and member ID before routing your call. That may be frustrating at the time, especially if you need to call more than once. But takin...(read more)

Self-Management Programs: Quitting Tobacco and Staying Tobacco Free

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:06:00 GMT

When you're ready to quit tobacco, you boost your chance for success. When that day comes, we’re here to help you stay strong. The Well onTarget® portal provides self-help programs, tips and tools to help you break free from tobacco. The di...(read more)

Find Out If You Have a Copay Before You Go to the Doctor

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:02:00 GMT

Before visiting your health care provider, check to see if you’ll need to make a copay. You can find out your copay amount by looking at your member ID card or checking your benefit booklet or health plan contract. You can also log in to y...(read more)

How to Check Your Drug Coverage

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:20:00 GMT

When your doctor says you need a prescription drug, one of your first thoughts may be, “How much will it cost me?” It’s an important thing to know, and there are several ways to find out. You might think about checking with your do...(read more)