Connect Community

Planning International Travel this Summer? Check Your Coverage Options

BCBSIL Connect Team April 10, 2025

Are you planning to travel outside the U.S.? Whether work sends you abroad or you travel for fun, the key is to be prepared. Before you travel, learn about your international health insurance options in case you need care while you’re away. Co.....
- 72783 Views
Health Insurance Terms: What Is 'Recommended Clinical Review'?

BCBSIL Connect Team March 28, 2025

Sometimes, it seems like you need to bring a dictionary to the doctor’s office. Medical terms can be a mouthful. The names of prescription medicines don’t always roll off the tongue either. In fact, the lack of “simple speak” ...
- 17106 Views
A Powerful Resource: Meet a Benefits Value Advisor

BCBSIL Connect Team March 12, 2025

No doubt about it, the health care system can be confusing. When you have questions about your health care coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois offers members a great go-to resource — Benefits Value Advisors (BVA). Get clear answers....
- 19563 Views
MyPrime.com – 24/7 Prescription Drug Access

BCBSIL Connect Team March 10, 2025

If you have prescription drug coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Prime Therapeutics® is your pharmacy benefit manager. You can visit MyPrime.com (your PBM’s member website) on any mobile devices, like s...
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Your Health Plan May Offer Many Benefits at No Extra Cost

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2025

Your health plan may cover vaccines for children and adults, like the flu shot, at no cost to you. Talk to your doctor about what vaccines each member of your family needs. Many preventive services, including yearly wellness exams and screenings...
- 4429 Views
Are You Using Blue Access for Members?

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2025

Are you taking advantage of all the great benefits within Blue Access for MembersSM? BAMSM is the secure member portal where you can: Check the status of your claim and your claim history. Confirm the family members who are covered under your plan...
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Why Does a Drug Need Pre-Approval?

BCBSIL Connect Team January 14, 2025

Some drugs should be checked to make sure they are safe and used correctly. This may mean that a step called pre-approval (sometimes called prior authorization) is needed before it will be covered by your plan. Like hospital stays and some type...
- 6467 Views
New Member? Take Three Steps to Start Using Your Health Plan

BCBSIL Connect Team January 6, 2025

Are you a new member? To make the most of your health plan, take three simple steps now. It’s the best way to make sure you’re set when you need care. Step 1: Watch for new member information After you enroll*, you will receive these thr...
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Some Emergency-Use Medicines Now Available at No Cost

BCBSIL Connect Team December 19, 2024

We want to make sure our members have access to safe and cost-effective prescription drugs. If you have prescription drug benefits through Prime Therapeutics LLC, some medicines may now* be available at no cost to you when you use a pharma...
- 5208 Views
Save Money With a Preferred Pharmacy

BCBSIL Connect Team October 18, 2024

Did you know your health plan may offer a preferred pharmacy network? When you use a preferred pharmacy, you pay the lowest out-of-pocket cost on covered prescription drugs. With your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois prescription drug plan...
- 71886 Views
What Is 3D Mammography?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 1, 2024

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...
- 18191 Views
Are Your Doctors Talking to Each Other?

BCBSIL Connect Team September 23, 2024

Finding and treating eye disease early is key to maintaining good vision. Screening for diabetic eye disease has saved many people from developing poor vision or even going blind. A complete exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can detect early...
- 1818 Views
Save Money on Prescriptions with Medication Finder

BCBSIL Connect Team September 18, 2024

The cost of prescription medicines is always a hot topic. Most of us have experienced sticker shock at least once when we’ve filled a prescription. So, it’s not surprising that one in four Americans say it’s hard to pay for their me...
- 9359 Views
What Does My Health Insurance Plan Cover?

BCBSIL Connect Team September 6, 2024

Your health insurance plan covers a number of items and services to help keep you and your family healthy. Most medical plans cover: Emergency care Outpatient services Hospitalization Maternity and newborn care Mental health and substance use treatm...
- 43131 Views
What Happens to the Rest of My Monthly Payment?

BCBSIL Connect Team August 28, 2024

Your monthly health care insurance premiums go toward many aspects of health care. Your premium payment — along with those of other members — all go into a pool of funds used to pay hospitals, doctors, drug companies and for other h...
- 7532 Views