Connect Community - BCBSIL
Connect Community - BCBSIL
  • User
  • Site
  • Search
  • User
  • Health & Wellness
    • Health Conditions & Prevention
    • Healthy Living
    • Healthy Mind
    • Recipe Book
  • Benefits & Coverage
    • Employer Coverage
    • Individual & Family Coverage
    • Health Insurance Tools
    • Health Care Coverage 1-to-1 Videos
  • Understanding Insurance
    • Insurance Basics
    • How Health Insurance Works
    • Importance of Health Insurance
    • Getting Health Insurance
  • Ask BCBSIL
    • FAQs
    • Ask a Question
    • Send Private Message
    • Visit BCBSIL.com
  • Medicare
    • Health and Wellness
    • Benefits and Coverage
    • Understanding Medicare
    • Medicare en Español
    • Using Digital Tools
  • Español
    • Tu Salud
    • Seguro Para Ti
    • Tu Cobertura
  • Health Conditions
    • Asthma
    • Behavioral Health
    • Breast Cancer
    • Colon Health
    • Diabetes
    • Flu
    • Heart Health
    • Maternal and Infant Health
  • Wellness Can't Wait
  • More
  • Cancel
  • Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Heart

    Blogs: Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Heart

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    What do your gums and your heart have in common? Studies show people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease. Gum disease causes inflammation, which can be a danger to the heart. Links have also been found between gum diseas...
    • July 2, 2025
  • Blogs: Navigating Grief and Loss: Healing Your Body and Mind

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Losing someone you love is one of life’s most stressful events. After a loss, you can experience a wide range of feelings. Although these emotions are part of grief and a natural response to any kind of loss, they can be hard to manage. To unde...
    • June 30, 2025
  • High Cholesterol Raises Your Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke

    Blogs: High Cholesterol Raises Your Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Millions of Americans have high cholesterol, which can clog blood vessels and lead to serious health problems. People with high total cholesterol are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the U.S. Along with fami...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Mantente seguro en el verano

    Tu Salud: Mantente seguro en el verano

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect
    Para muchas personas, el verano es la mejor época del año, ya que se realizan muchas actividades divertidas al aire libre. Pero el verano tiene sus propios desafíos cuando se trata de mantener saludable a tu familia. Por ejemplo,...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Back-to-School Planning: Make Sure Your Child’s Health Visits Top the List

    Blogs: Back-to-School Planning: Make Sure Your Child’s Health Visits Top the List

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    When it comes to a smooth back-to-school experience, preparation is key. Gathering school supplies before the school bell rings is good. So is making sure the kids haven’t outgrown their school clothes and shoes. And catching up on doctor visit...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Recovery Doesn’t Stop When You Get Home from the Hospital

    Blogs: Recovery Doesn’t Stop When You Get Home from the Hospital

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Whether you’re being treated for physical or mental health issues, it’s vital to continue your health care after discharge from the hospital. Follow-up care is an important part of getting better. After Hospitalizations When you get home ...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Staying In-Network Can Help Cut Costs

    Blogs: Staying In-Network Can Help Cut Costs

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Stay Safe in the Summertime

    Blogs: Stay Safe in the Summertime

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    For many people, summer is the best time of the year. It’s filled with long days spent outside crammed full of fun activities. But summer brings its own challenges when it comes to keeping your family healthy. Nothing puts the brakes on a good ...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Do You Know What Vaccines You Need?

    Blogs: Do You Know What Vaccines You Need?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Are you and your family up to date on your routine vaccines? They're an important part of staying safe and healthy for people of all ages. Who Needs Vaccines? Vaccines aren’t just for babies or young children. We all need vaccines throughout o...
    • June 30, 2025
  • Our Staff Can Help You Better Manage Your Care

    Blogs: Our Staff Can Help You Better Manage Your Care

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. We know you may have questions about your medical condition and how best to coordinate your care. Having access to utilization management (UM) staff can help you ...
    • June 30, 2025
>
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-04/medical_2D00_dental_2D00_vision.jpg

    Choosing Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 28, 2024
    Regular medical, dental and vision care are all important for your total health. That’s why it’s good to have all three kinds of insurance. Today, many people buy health coverage on their own. What “comes with” medical coverag...
    • 17615 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/GETTYSpecialist.JPG

    ¿Necesitas ver a un especialista?

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect October 28, 2024
    Cuando no te sientes bien, puedes llamar a tu médico de cabecera (PCP en inglés). Con un poco de cuidado, tu doctor puede te pude ayudar a recuperarte en muy poco tiempo. ¿Pero qué pasa si tu problema de sa...
    • 2401 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/6740.prescriptions.jpg

    How Does a Drug Become a Generic: Facts vs. Myths

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 28, 2024
    Taking a generic drug is not like buying a store-brand soap. With soap, you might notice a difference. It may smell different. You may need to use more than the brand-name product. That is not true with generic drugs. When companies make a bran...
    • 18910 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/4-goals-family-fitness.jpg

    Follow 4 Simple Steps to Put Your Family on a Healthy Path

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 24, 2024
    It’s never too early to teach kids about healthy habits. Setting good habits when they’re young puts them on the path toward a healthier life. Many children are not off to a good start. About 1 in 5 American children are obese, says the C...
    • 12015 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/men_2D00_exercise.jpg

    More than Muscle: How Men Can Exercise Their Way to Better Health

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 24, 2024
    Men face some serious health risks. Heart disease and cancer account for nearly 40 percent of deaths among American men. Unintentional injuries like falls are also a common cause of death for men. Lung disease and stroke account for another 10 percen...
    • 27741 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/pumpkinBrandS36081.jpg

    Consejos tenebrosamente buenos para tener un Halloween saludable y seguro

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect October 23, 2024
    Por lo general, las palabras “saludable” y “Halloween” no van juntas, por razones obvias. Halloween es la única época del año en que los niños se sienten libres de comer tantas golosinas como puedan...
    • 453 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/8422.social.jpg

    Bienestar social: ¿el ajetreo conduce a la soledad?

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect October 23, 2024
    A los estadounidenses les encanta estar ocupados. Por desgracia, hacer malabares para mantener el trabajo, la familia y las tareas domésticas implica que la persona promedio “trabaja” 60 horas o más por semana. No es de...
    • 3666 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/social.jpg

    Social Well-Being: Is Your Busyness Leading to Loneliness?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 23, 2024
    Americans love to be busy. Unfortunately, juggling our jobs, families and home chores means the average person “works” 60 or more hours each week. No wonder people just want to plop down on the sofa and binge watch their favorite TV show ...
    • 5141 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/heart-rate.jpg

    What Can Your Heart Rate Tell You About Your Health?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024
    Your heart rate is always changing. It’s up when you’re walking. Down when you’re sitting still. But what can it tell you about your overall health? Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Your heart rate...
    • 6666 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-04/8420.TIME3970044.jpg

    How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024
    There are two times when you can buy health insurance — during open enrollment and special enrollment. Open enrollment starts on Nov. 1 each year. Any other sign-up time falls under special enrollment . To buy health insurance during speci...
    • 18585 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/4774.Article_5F00_1113901.jpg

    Living With Diabetes? Find Big Eats on a Small Grocery Budget

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024
    Food choices are so important when diabetes is part of your day-to-day life. Here’s something to keep in mind: The best healthy meal plan for those living with diabetes isn’t very different from one for people without diabetes. Our bodies...
    • 7365 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/postpartum_2D00_health.jpg

    Postpartum Health

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 19, 2024
    The days and weeks after giving birth are often a happy time. They're also a period of adjustment and healing for mothers. While you bond with your baby, make time for a post-delivery checkup with your provider. Your doctor plays an important role...
    • 3010 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/3750.MAPDwelcome.jpg

    How to Get the Most Out of Your Medicare Advantage Plan

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 18, 2024
    Welcome to Medicare Advantage . We’re glad you’re a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage member. Ready to make the most of your health care plan? Start with these steps: Plan your Annual Wellness Visit. With no copay and no cost to you...
    • 11889 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/medicare_2D00_adults.jpg

    Diabetes and the Risk for Kidney Disease

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 18, 2024
    If you have diabetes , you may not know about an important measure to protect your kidneys. What do your kidneys have to do with diabetes? It turns out, people living with diabetes have a higher risk of kidney disease. More than 35 million adults...
    • 3597 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/BrandS_2D00_illness.jpg

    Don't Let the Seasonal Flu Get You

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team October 16, 2024
    Getting a flu shot can help you stay healthy. Flu season usually starts in October and peaks between December and February. As many have learned, it can linger through the spring. If you didn't get a flu shot before the start of the season, ask your...
    • 3666 Views
<>
  • Go to Connect Community BCBSIL home
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Health & Wellness
  • Health Conditions & Prevention
  • Healthy Living
  • Healthy Mind
  • Recipe Book
  • Benefits & Coverage
  • Employer Coverage
  • Individual & Family Coverage
  • Health Insurance Tools
  • Provider Finder® leaving site icon
  • Understanding Insurance
  • Insurance Basics
  • How Health Insurance Works
  • Importance of Health Insurance
  • Getting Health Insurance
  • Ask BCBSIL
  • FAQs
  • Ask a Question
  • Send Private Message
  • Visit BCBSIL.com
  • Medicare
  • Health and Wellness
  • Benefits and Coverage
  • Understanding Medicare
  • Medicare en Español
  • Español
  • Tu Salud
  • Seguro Para Ti
  • Tu Cobertura

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation,
a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association


© Copyright 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Verint is an operating division of Verint Americas, Inc., an independent company that provides and hosts an online community platform for blogging and access to social media for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

Adobe pdf icon File is in portable document format (PDF). To view this file, you may need to install a PDF reader program. Most PDF readers are a free download. One option is Adobe® Reader® which has a built-in screen reader. Other Adobe accessibility tools and information can be downloaded at https://access.adobe.com.

leaving site icon You are leaving this website/app ("site"). This new site may be offered by a vendor or an independent third party. The site may also contain non-Medicare related information. Some sites may require you to agree to their terms of use and privacy policy.

  • Terms of Use and Privacy Statement |
  • Copyright Infringement Adobe pdf icon |
  • About Us |
  • Non-Discrimination Notice Adobe pdf icon|
  • Language Assistance

Powered by Verint