Blogs

What Is 3D Mammography?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:35:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Members Can Appeal Coverage Decisions

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:35:00 GMT

Internal 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...(read more)

Looking for Ways to Save on Healthy Gifts?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:36:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Get to Know Your Medical Tests: Preventive vs. Diagnostic

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:57:00 GMT

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 ...(read more)

Know Your Colorectal Cancer Screening Options

BCBSIL Connect Team — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:28:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Get Fit and Save in October

BCBSIL Connect Team — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:17:00 GMT

Well 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...(read more)

Need Reconstructive Surgery After a Mastectomy? You’re Covered

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:43:00 GMT

It’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 ...(read more)

What Is an HMO?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:48:00 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)

Is My Prescription a Pharmacy or Medical Benefit?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:50:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Plan Year Ending Soon? Make the Most of It

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:06:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Insurance Basics: Out-of-Pocket Maximum

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

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...(read more)

What Is Coordination of Benefits?

BCBSIL Connect Team — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:02:00 GMT

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...(read more)

5 Reasons a Claim May Be Denied

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:21:00 GMT

Believe it or not, there are only a handful of reasons that may lead to a health care service not getting approved or a claim not being paid. They fall into these five buckets. The claim has errors. Minor data errors are the most common culprit...(read more)

What to Do if Your Claim Is Not Approved

BCBSIL Connect Team — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:40:00 GMT

Nurse care manager Lenzy Mixon got a call from a member about a large bill he received for a stay at a skilled nursing facility. He checked with his doctor, who assured him the stay had been pre-approved by his health plan. His next call was to us. ...(read more)

Staying In-Network Can Help Cut Costs

BCBSIL Connect Team — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:10:00 GMT

When you shop, you probably keep an eye on costs. You want to buy the things you need at a fair price. What about when you’re shopping for health care? Using providers in your health plan’s network can help you save money. A network inclu...(read more)