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Blogs: Do You Know the Early Warning Signs of a Stroke?

BCBSIL Connect Team

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the U.S. Knowing the earliest signs of a stroke can be a lifesaver. Every minute that a stroke continues, thousands of brain cells are dying. The faster you get the right medical care, th...
- October 25, 2023
Blogs: Clear the Air: The Truth About E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Smoking

BCBSIL Connect Team

Many people, mostly teens and young adults, think e-cigs are cool or a healthier choice than smoking cigarettes. Whether they look like cigarettes, pipes, pens or lipstick holders, they all use a vapor to deliver nicotine without tobacco. This vapor ...
- October 20, 2023
Blogs: You've Got Mail: Pharmacy Mail Order Service

BCBSIL Connect Team

Using a mail order pharmacy service can save you time, and maybe even money. It's convenient because your prescriptions are mailed right to you. That saves you a trip to the pharmacy. You can enjoy home delivery from Express Scripts® Ph...
- October 17, 2023
Blogs: Be an Advocate for Your Own Care

BCBSIL Connect Team

Prevention is an important part of being healthy. That can mean having a yearly exam. It can mean having routine screening tests. When an illness can’t be avoided, stepping up to help direct your own health care is critical. Get Involved in You...
- October 16, 2023
Blogs: 5 Reasons a Claim May Be Denied

BCBSIL Connect Team

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...
- October 8, 2023
Blogs: The Link Between Diabetes and Depression

BCBSIL Connect Team

Your mental health touches so many parts of your daily life. It affects how you think and feel, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Your thoughts and feelings affect how healthy you are. It isn’t surprising that having a mental ...
- October 7, 2023
Blogs: Eat Whole Grains for a Healthier You

BCBSIL Connect Team

Adding more whole grains to your diet is an easy way to get more health benefits from the foods you eat. If you picture a slice of dry wheat bread when you hear “whole grains,” don't worry. There are a lot of tasty whole grains waiti...
- October 6, 2023
Blogs: Every Breath You Take

BCBSIL Connect Team

Your home may be warm and cozy, but is it good for your lungs? People tend to take their lungs for granted. We know we can’t live without them, but we don’t spend much time taking care of them. But as outdoor activities give way to indoo...
- October 5, 2023
Blogs: Before the Fall: Take These Steps to Stay Safe

BCBSIL Connect Team

You’ve heard the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It may not apply to everything, but when it comes to avoiding a fall, a little prevention goes a long way. Each year, more than one in four people over ...
- October 5, 2023
Blogs: Check Up on Your Health with Annual Health Exam

BCBSIL Connect Team

Whether it’s getting your annual wellness visit or having your cholesterol checked, you need to keep up with your health screenings. They play a big role in catching small health problems before they become big ones.
- October 3, 2023

Does When You Eat Make a Difference?

BCBSIL Connect Team August 29, 2023

When it comes to healthy eating, we know that what we eat matters. So does how much we eat. And research shows that when we eat is important, too. Many studies point to health improvements from making changes to when you eat. That’s because our....
- 12761 Views
3 Reasons Why Women Should Choose Blue

BCBSIL Connect Team August 21, 2023

Your health is important. You want to keep up your health and treat any sickness. So, you need a health plan to help you do it. Here’s three reasons so many women choose Blue. Reason No. 1 - Your Choice of Doctors No matter which Blue Cross and....
- 40425 Views
What Role Does Food Play in Your Life?

BCBSIL Connect Team August 20, 2023

It’s human nature. Once or twice a year we take stock and think, “You know, I really should take better care of myself.” It might be inspired by a recent health scare. It could be a wedding, reunion or other special event that spurs...
- 11834 Views
Should I Use an Insurance Agent to Buy a Health Plan?

BCBSIL Connect Team August 20, 2023

Buying a health plan can be complicated. There are so many plans. So many decisions. So many choices. That’s why it helps to have an expert on your side. That expert, called an insurance agent, broker or producer, plays a key role in helping pe....
- 9694 Views
Meet your Endocrinologist: Going to the "Diabetes Doctor"

BCBSIL Connect Team August 19, 2023

You just learned you have diabetes. Your primary care physician (PCP) wants you to track your blood sugar, start a workout program and come back for a follow-up visit. It’s a lot to take in. As part of your treatment plan, your PCP may refer y.....
- 9088 Views
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease and Living Well

BCBSIL Connect Team August 18, 2023

Our family history and DNA play a large role in our health and well-being. Genetic changes and traits carried by parents often appear in their children —even when the parents don’t have any symptoms of a genetic condit...
- 4824 Views
Fulfilling the Wishes of Loved Ones at the End of Life

BCBSIL Connect Team August 17, 2023

Talking about the end of a life with friends and family members is often a hard conversation. Many of us don’t think we need to think over important final decisions when health is good. For a young, healthy person, these talks a...
- 4314 Views
How to $ave Money

BCBSIL Connect Team August 15, 2023

There are many ways you can help keep your health care costs down. Try these tips to find $avings on doctor visits, prescription medications, fitness trackers and more. We have resources to help you make the best decision for you. Our Provider F...
- 3139 Views
Wash the Rind to Leave Bacteria Behind

BCBSIL Connect Team August 15, 2023

The peak of summer brings ripe, tasty melons, like cantaloupe and watermelon, from the farm to your table. Watermelons are not only refreshing, they’re also a great source of the antioxidant lycopene. What’s so special about lycopene? Lyc...
- 8721 Views
How to Make the Most of a Date with Your Doctor

BCBSIL Connect Team August 14, 2023

Wouldn’t it be great to call your doctor and get in to see them when you need to? Waiting to see a care provider can be hard. Left to our own devices, we’re often tempted to self-diagnose. We call mom to get her advice about what to put ...
- 32261 Views
Back Pain Is Such a Pain

BCBSIL Connect Team August 13, 2023

Its happens to many of us. We move or lift something the wrong way and our back protests. Sometimes it’s just a brief twinge of pain — a reminder to move more carefully. Other times, the pain may be intense and last a long time. The ...
- 4235 Views
From Headache to Heartache: NSAIDs Pose Heart Dangers

BCBSIL Connect Team August 12, 2023

Read the fine print the next time you pick up a bottle of ibuprofen or naproxen. You’ll see a warning about the risk for potentially deadly heart attacks and strokes. These drugs are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs. The U.S.....
- 4224 Views
Mindful Eating with Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team August 11, 2023

Learning to be more mindful can help us calmly think through situations. For people with diabetes , the values of mindfulness may even help them practice better self-care. What is mindfulness? It is being tuned in to your thoughts, feelings and body...
- 39831 Views
Buying Health Insurance: It’s a Good Idea

BCBSIL Connect Team August 9, 2023

You may think, "I never go to the doctor, so I don’t need health insurance." Think again. Health Insurance protects your physical and financial wellbeing. Let’s see what might happen if you have to take your kid to the ER, but don’t...
- 10331 Views
Good Gum Care May Help Manage Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team August 8, 2023

If you have diabetes, it affects your whole body — even your mouth. Don’t skip regular dental checkups. Along with managing your blood sugar levels, dental care helps you keep both your body and mouth healthy. Gum Disease and Blood Sugar ...
- 12643 Views

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