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
  • Earn Rewards with Blue Points

    Blogs: Earn Rewards with Blue Points

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    This article is intended for members enrolled in an individual health insurance plan through the health insurance marketplace (not those who have coverage through an employer). Well onTarget® and Blue PointsSM are not available to all members. Ch...
    • June 18, 2025
  • What is a Health Insurance Deductible?

    Blogs: What is a Health Insurance Deductible?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    When it comes to paying for your health insurance there are three main parts: Your deductible, your coinsurance and your monthly premium. Your health insurance deductible is the amount you must pay before the health plan starts paying for your covere...
    • June 17, 2025
  • Having a Health Care Procedure? You Could Earn Cash with Member Rewards

    Blogs: Having a Health Care Procedure? You Could Earn Cash with Member Rewards

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Did you know you can shop and compare costs for hundreds of health care procedures online? Just like shopping for new tires for your car or a new computer, doing a little comparison shopping can really pay off. The price of health care services can d...
    • June 13, 2025
  • Is My Prescription a Pharmacy or Medical Benefit?

    Blogs: Is My Prescription a Pharmacy or Medical Benefit?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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...
    • June 13, 2025
  • 8 Surprising Facts about Arthritis

    Blogs: 8 Surprising Facts about Arthritis

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Arthritis isn’t anything new. Even our earliest ancestors suffered through stiff, aching joints. The struggle to stay flexible and mobile can become more difficult as we age.  Some form of joint disease is usually the culprit, especially a...
    • June 12, 2025
  • Save Money with Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

    Blogs: Save Money with Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    MedsYourWay® is not available to all members. Check your plan materials or ask your benefits administrator to see if you have this program. You may be able to pay less for your prescription drugs with our drug discount card benefit program. MedsY...
    • June 11, 2025
  • Do Your Prescription Drugs Need Prior Authorization?

    Blogs: Do Your Prescription Drugs Need Prior Authorization?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Have you ever gone to pick up a new medicine, only to have the pharmacist tell you it needs prior authorization? It happens to many of us. Here are things you can do to avoid leaving empty handed. When you receive a new prescription, ask your doctor ...
    • June 11, 2025
  • Stop on Red: Reducing Exposure on High Pollution Days

    Blogs: Stop on Red: Reducing Exposure on High Pollution Days

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    RED ALERT! When air pollution levels are high, a red alert warns the public of health dangers. Poor air quality is bad for us all. It's an even greater risk for those with breathing issues. Today, a national system reports daily air quality. The...
    • June 9, 2025
  • Men: A Single Step Can Set You Up for Better Health All Year

    Blogs: Men: A Single Step Can Set You Up for Better Health All Year

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    What if you could do one thing to improve your health? Staying healthy and feeling good about taking care of yourself is as easy as making one call. Just schedule a yearly exam with your doctor. That one doctor visit should be packed with good health...
    • June 6, 2025
  • Not Sleeping Well? Done Right, Daily Activity Can Help

    Blogs: Not Sleeping Well? Done Right, Daily Activity Can Help

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    If you’ve already tried every sleep remedy out there, here is another option — more activity each day. Getting more movement is not just great for your body and mind, it can also help you get a good night's sleep. It may seem odd to say t...
    • June 2, 2025
<>
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/providerfinder.jpg

    Cómo encontrar prestadores de servicios médicos de la red

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect March 2, 2026
    Hay muchos temas en los que pensar al decidir dónde recibir atención médica: el costo, las redes, la ubicación, entre otros. Mantenerte informado no tiene por qué ser complicado. Tenemos recursos disponibles para ay...
    • 5629 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/lung-cancer-screening.jpg

    How to Keep Your Hardworking Lungs Healthy

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    Your lungs help you breathe. But they do much more. They help you fight infections. They help your other organs work. They do so much for your overall health — and they need your protection. Your lungs are easily harmed. Anything you breathe in....
    • 21730 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/depression-screening.jpg

    ¿Crees que podrías estar deprimido? Una evaluación puede ayudarte

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 27, 2026
    Si te sientes triste durante semanas o más tiempo y esto te impide realizar tus actividades normales y cotidianas, podrías estar deprimido. No tienes que normalizar sentirte así. Hay medidas que puedes tomar para ayudarte. &iques...
    • 7762 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/MAT-opioid-use.jpg

    Ayuda a superar el trastorno por consumo de opioides con la farmacoterapia con apoyo

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 27, 2026
    El trastorno por consumo de opioides (OUD, en inglés) es una crisis de salud actual en los Estados Unidos que puede afectar a cualquier persona, independientemente de la raza, el nivel económico o el sexo. Se estima que 6.1 millones de ...
    • 1083 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/10_2D00_ways_2D00_alcohol.jpg

    10 Ways Alcohol Affects Your Body

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    Even small amounts of alcohol can have a big effect on your body. From the very first sip, alcohol enters your bloodstream and quickly travels through your body. Based on your age, gender and health, it may stay there for two hours or longer. During...
    • 73071 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/help-center.jpg

    La ayuda que necesitas para entender tu cobertura médica

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 27, 2026
    Entender tu seguro médico puede ser complicado, pero podemos ayudarte. Nuestro Centro de ayuda te ayuda a responder las dudas sobre cómo usar tu cobertura médica y obtener respuestas a tus preguntas clave. Obtén ayuda en u...
    • 665 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/MAT-opioid-use.jpg

    Help Overcome Opioid Use Disorder with Medication-Assisted Treatment

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is an ongoing health crisis in the United States that can affect anyone, no matter your race, income level or gender. An estimated 6.1 million people in the U.S. age 12 and older have OUD. The good news is OUD is treatable...
    • 3549 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/depression-screening.jpg

    Think You May Be Depressed? A Screening Can Help

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    If you feel down for weeks or longer, and it keeps you from doing your normal, everyday activities, it could be depression. You don’t have to just accept feeling that way. There are steps you can take that may help. What Is Depression? Depressi....
    • 52030 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/BrandS21354adventurewoman.jpg

    Realízate una mamografía: La detección temprana salva vidas

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 27, 2026
    La detección temprana del cáncer de mama es la mejor manera de prevenir muertes por esta enfermedad. Realizar exámenes en forma regular es la mejor manera de detectar a tiempo el cáncer de mama. Aproximadamente 1 de cada ...
    • 7440 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/6505.BrandS21354adventurewoman.jpg

    Early Detection Helps Prevent Deaths from Breast Cancer

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    Finding breast cancer early is the best way to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Getting regular screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early. About 1 in 8 American women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. Each year...
    • 85506 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/medicine_2D00_safety.jpg

    Prescription or Over the Counter: Follow Directions to Stay Safe

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 27, 2026
    Medicine can help your health in many ways. From over-the-counter medicines to prescription medicines that treat life-threatening conditions, medicine can have a major positive impact. But only if it’s taken — and taken correctly. Over a ...
    • 14013 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/why_2D00_arent_2D00_you_2D00_sleeping.jpg

    ¿Por qué no puedes dormir?

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect February 25, 2026
    ¿Te sientes más cansado de lo habitual? Sabes que no disfrutaste de una buena noche de sueño. ¿Pero qué te impide dormir? Resulta que existen muchos obstáculos potenciales para conciliar el sueño y man...
    • 3830 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/FoodFiber.jpg

    How Fiber Helps Keep You and Your Heart Healthy

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 20, 2026
    Just about everyone knows eating fiber is a key in keeping you regular in the bathroom. But that's just one benefit of the foods in this essential category. It’s true. High fiber foods make you poop. They also have a role in preventing heart di....
    • 10182 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/1665.2047630_5F00_January-Facebook_5F00_Jan-26_5F00_.jpg

    Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 12, 2026
    Opioids are helpful when taken the right way. When misused, they can lead to dependence. This can lead to overdose or even accidental death. In 2023, about 76% of all overdose deaths involved opioids. Opioid misuse and related deaths have been consi...
    • 6223 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/knees_2D00_need_2D00_-help.jpg

    Are Your Knees Telling You They Need Help?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team February 12, 2026
    Millions of people deal with aching knees. It’s one of the most common health problems, and it affects people of all ages. Some hope the problem will just go away. And for a minor injury like a strain, time and rest may help. But some people ma....
    • 17309 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