Blogs

Preventive Care or Medical Care? Learn the Difference

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:44:00 GMT

Many people may not know that there are two types of care you can receive when you go to the doctor — preventive care and medical care. The type of care is different, and your costs may be different, too. Medical Care vs. Preventive Care Think...(read more)

What Are Your Rights and Responsibilities as an HMO Member?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:39:00 GMT

This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois respects and honors your rights. In return, we ask that you know and honor your responsibilities, too. To learn how you can...(read more)

Save Money on Health and Fitness Products with Blue365

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:56:00 GMT

If you’re looking for some great discounts on health-related products and services, check out the Blue365® program. It’s just one more advantage of being a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois member. You and your covered family me...(read more)

Traveler’s Checklist: Protect Your Health While You Travel

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:31:00 GMT

Vacation sounds good right about now. And whatever kind of vacation you like, there’s one thing that makes it go better – planning. Planning helps your road trip skip the bumps in the road. Planning helps you avoid turbulence, even once y...(read more)

Find a Doctor Who's a Good Fit for You

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:41:00 GMT

Sometimes you know it’s time for a change. But what if that change involves finding a new primary care doctor? Maybe you’ve moved, and it’s a long drive to your current doctor. Perhaps you've had changes in your health or lifestyle....(read more)

Men, Make Your Health a Priority

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:51:00 GMT

You’re a healthy guy. You eat right and exercise. You’ve never even had a cavity. So you may think it’s no big deal to skip an annual wellness check. But not so fast. Preventive screenings are important for your health. Screenings h...(read more)

BCBSIL HMO Health Management Programs May Be Right for You

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:12:00 GMT

This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois HMO plans offer Population Health Management Programs to help you take care of your health. Look at the programs offered be...(read more)

Compare Health Care Costs

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

Many of us compare prices before we buy a product or service. It’s one of the best ways to be an informed consumer. But we might not think about comparing prices when it comes to our health care benefits. And that’s a missed opport...(read more)

You and Your Doctor: Working Together to Keep You Healthy

BCBSIL Connect Team — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:52:00 GMT

When you need medical care, do you have a doctor you can call? If not, find a doctor you can call your own. Don’t wait until you’re sick to become a patient. If you have an HMO* or POS** plan, you’ll need to find a M...(read more)

Breast Pumps Can Help Make Breastfeeding Easier

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:29:00 GMT

Nourishing your newborn baby is an important part of your role as a parent. Breastfeeding is a popular option for many parents — and for good reasons. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition that supports a baby’s growth and development. The...(read more)

Unlock Savings on Health Care

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:13:00 GMT

No one likes to pay for health care. But we need health care to help us stay healthy, manage health conditions and get care when we need it most. Health insurance protects us from the financial burden of unexpected medical costs. There are a few ways...(read more)

Need an Explanation of Your Explanation of Benefits?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:52:00 GMT

You’ve been to the doctor and paid your copay. How are you going to know when your claim is filed and finalized? Simple — you'll get your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Your EOB will break down the services you received, the co...(read more)

8 Things You Should Know About Deductibles

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:59:00 GMT

Health plans can seem complicated. It helps to know what questions to ask and where to find the information you need. Take deductibles, for example. They’re important to your pocketbook, but do you know how they work? To get you started, here ...(read more)

Wondering If a New Treatment Is Right for You?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:18:00 GMT

This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. New treatments for many conditions — from diabetes to cancer — are in the news. Do you wonder if you might be a candidate for a treatment that could h...(read more)

What Is a Health Insurance Claim?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

We’ve all done it. Shown or uploaded our member ID card when filling out insurance forms in the doctor’s office or through an online portal. Your doctor’s office needs these details so they can file a claim. A claim is a bill your d...(read more)