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
  • More
  • Cancel
  • What Does Your Thyroid Do?

    Blogs: What Does Your Thyroid Do?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Everyone is born with a thyroid. It’s the “butterfly-shaped” gland in the lower front part of your neck. It sits right below the Adam’s Apple. The thyroid gland makes two hormones — T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxin...
    • January 16, 2026
  • Self-Management Programs: Quitting Tobacco and Staying Tobacco Free

    Blogs: Self-Management Programs: Quitting Tobacco and Staying Tobacco Free

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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...
    • January 16, 2026
  • You Can Protect Your Hearing — Here’s How

    Blogs: You Can Protect Your Hearing — Here’s How

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Think you’re too young to worry about hearing loss? You’re not. Things like listening to loud music, going to sporting events or working in a loud setting can harm your hearing. Take steps now to protect your hearing — once it&rsquo...
    • January 15, 2026
  • Puedes proteger tu audición. Aquí te decimos cómo.

    Tu Salud: Puedes proteger tu audición. Aquí te decimos cómo.

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect
    ¿Crees que eres demasiado joven para preocuparte por la pérdida de audición? No lo eres. Por ejemplo, escuchar música a alto volumen, ir a eventos deportivos o trabajar en un entorno ruidoso pueden dañar tu audici&o...
    • January 15, 2026
  • How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

    Blogs: How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    There are two times when you can buy health insurance — during open enrollment and special enrollment.  Open enrollment starts on Nov. 1 each year and runs for a limited time. This is when anyone can sign up for an individual and family pl...
    • January 15, 2026
  • Don’t Brush Off Signs that Something Isn’t Right

    Blogs: Don’t Brush Off Signs that Something Isn’t Right

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Knowing your body can save your life. That means paying attention if you see or feel changes in your body. It means noticing and following up on worrisome symptoms, especially if they don’t go away. And it means seeking help when you need it. D...
    • January 14, 2026
  • What Can You Do to Get Your Energy Back?

    Blogs: What Can You Do to Get Your Energy Back?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Feel like the energy has just drained out of your body? Your habits and routine may be behind your fatigue. The good news is that you can make changes to beat some common energy zappers. And unless your lack of energy stems from an injury or health i...
    • January 13, 2026
  • ¡La prediabetes se puede revertir! Evita la diabetes reduciendo tu consumo de azúcar

    Tu Salud: ¡La prediabetes se puede revertir! Evita la diabetes reduciendo tu consumo de azúcar

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect
    ¿Deseas escuchar buenas noticias sobre la diabetes? Para muchos de nosotros, la enfermedad se puede retardar o incluso prevenir haciendo algunos cambios simples a nuestro estilo de vida. Esto es importante porque la diabetes afecta aproximadam...
    • January 13, 2026
  • Prediabetes Can Be Reversed

    Blogs: Prediabetes Can Be Reversed

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Want to hear some good news about diabetes? For many of us, the disease can be delayed or even prevented with a few simple lifestyle changes. This is important because diabetes affects about 38 million people in the U.S. That’s about 1 out of e...
    • January 13, 2026
  • Improve Your Work-Life Balance

    Blogs: Improve Your Work-Life Balance

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Aiming for a more balanced life can help your body and mind. One place many of us need better balance is between work and the rest of our lives. Another is finding ways to take better care of ourselves while maintaining our commitments to work and fa...
    • January 12, 2026
<>
  • Entendiendo las coberturas médicas y los gastos

    Entendiendo las coberturas médicas y los gastos

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect June 8, 2023
    Deducibles, coaseguros, primas... ¿entiendes cómo funcionan todos? Escucha y aprende con Vanessa mientras pregunta sobre sus gastos con un especialista en Servicio al Cliente. Más videos de Health Care One-to-One.
    • 2883 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/3-things-skin-cancer.jpg

    Three Things You May Not Know About Skin Cancer

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team May 23, 2023
    Even though skin cancer is the most common cancer, many people don’t think they’re at risk. But everyone needs to protect their skin and pay attention to any changes. Protect Your Skin To protect your skin, you need to know the risks. Man...
    • 21396 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/SeniorAgingSocial_2D00_3190269.jpg

    Recognizing the Early Signs of Depression

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team May 23, 2023
    We all deal with feelings of sadness from time to time. Grief over the loss of a loved one. A painful breakup. Struggles with health issues. They are just a few of the events that can affect us emotionally and physically. So, what's the difference...
    • 13606 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/1854.GettyImages_2D00_464826819_2D00_f9fc9ba7_2D00_8c0e_2D00_4a75_2D00_b0fe_2D00_fbeefa27c626_2D00_998781169.jpg

    Poor Hearing and Falls are Connected in Seniors

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team May 18, 2023
    Hearing loss can cause many day-to-day challenges. You may have trouble hearing people around the dinner table or in a busy restaurant. You may worry about not hearing the phone or doorbell. Hearing loss is more than an inconvenience. Studies show...
    • 10097 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/4118.GettyImages_2D00_490635377_5F00_1200x630.jpg

    10 Reasons to Get Up and Get Active Today

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team May 10, 2023
    Long hours in front of a computer monitor or television screen isn’t the best thing for your mind or body. Step away. Take a break. Lace up your tennis shoes and get a move on! Just 150 minutes of physical activity each week makes a big differe....
    • 12101 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/movement-snacks.jpg

    Movement Snacks Can Help You Live Better and Longer

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 25, 2023
    If it’s hard for you to find time to get some exercise, there may be a way to make it easier. Think in terms of small bursts of energy, or movement snacks. Start improving your health by adding a few movement snacks to your day. It can make you....
    • 15539 Views
  • Maternity Services and Screenings

    Maternity Services and Screenings

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team March 31, 2023
    Preventive check-ups and screenings can help find illnesses and medical problems early and help keep you and your baby healthy. Get the Maternity Services and Screening flier. Originally published 3/31/2023; Revised 2025, 2026
    • 4889 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/3718.risk-for-osteoporosis.jpg

    Make No Bones About It: You Could Be at Risk for Osteoporosis

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team March 27, 2023
    You count on your bones to support you. But they need your help to stay strong. About 54 million Americans have low bone mass. That increases the risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which your body loses bone mass or doesn’....
    • 48374 Views
  • Diabetes Risks Increase with Certain Prescription Drugs for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

    Diabetes Risks Increase with Certain Prescription Drugs for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team March 22, 2023
    Many factors can raise a person’s risk for diabetes. Family history, age, weight diet and lack of physical activity are the most common. Some prescription medicines used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can boost the risk, too. It may...
    • 3580 Views
  • BCBSIL Medicare underwriting

    BCBSIL Medicare underwriting

    JLjoins
    JLjoins March 21, 2023
    Does BCBSIL Medicare require medical underwriting if you go from Plan F to Plan G?
    • 1442 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/10_2D00_ways_2D00_alcohol.jpg

    10 formas en que el alcohol afecta tu cuerpo

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect March 10, 2023
    Incluso pequeñas cantidades de alcohol pueden tener un gran impacto en tu cuerpo. Desde el primer trago, el alcohol entra en el torrente sanguíneo y viaja rápidamente a través de tu cuerpo. De acuerdo a tu edad, sexo y sa...
    • 4917 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/safely_2D00_manage_2D00_pain.jpg

    You Have Options for Safely Managing Your Pain

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team March 10, 2023
    There are many ways to treat pain so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. Learning your options can help keep you safe while still allowing you to do what matters to you. Start by talking to your doctor about ways to manage your pain th....
    • 15760 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/benefits-of-strength-training.jpg

    Boost Your Health with Strength Training

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team March 1, 2023
    New research says strength training may help people live longer. While that likelihood requires more study, there is solid proof that building your muscles can help your body and overall health. We already know that muscle-strengthening effort is...
    • 17481 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/sleep-and-exercise.jpg

    ¿No duermes bien? Realizar actividad física diariamente de la manera correcta puede ayudarte

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 1, 2023
    Si dormir no te resulta fácil, es probable que ya hayas seguido algunos consejos que pensabas que podrían ser útiles. Pero si este no ha sido el caso, puede haber otra opción: realizar más actividad física to...
    • 2647 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/5635.Ikaria.jpg

    Prueba el estilo de vida mediterráneo para tener una vida saludable

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect December 12, 2022
    La puesta de sol. El mar azul claro. Comidas preparadas con alimentos frescos como frutas, granos enteros, legumbres, papas y aceite de oliva. No se escucha nada mal, ¿no? Los habitantes de Icaria, Grecia, disfrutan de una buena vida, incluso...
    • 3904 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 2026 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://www.adobe.com/trust/accessibility.html. leaving site icon

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