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  • Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

    Blogs: Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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...
    • February 12, 2026
  • Are Your Knees Telling You They Need Help?

    Blogs: Are Your Knees Telling You They Need Help?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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...
    • February 12, 2026
  • Everything You Need to Know About Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

    Blogs: Everything You Need to Know About Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Along with acronyms for preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), add two more to your list. Both can help you pay doctor bills and save money. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (...
    • February 11, 2026
  • Bipolar Disorder Explained

    Blogs: Bipolar Disorder Explained

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    About 6 million adults, teens and children have bipolar disorder (BD) in the U.S. It’s often diagnosed before the age of 25, and it is a lifelong condition. Not All BD Is the Same There are actually four types of BD. With bipola...
    • February 9, 2026
  • How to Find In-Network Providers

    Blogs: How to Find In-Network Providers

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    There’s a lot to think about when deciding where to get health care – cost, networks, location and more. Being informed does not have to be tricky. We have resources available to help you make the best decision for you. Your online m...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Population Health: Strategies that Benefit Our Members

    Blogs: Population Health: Strategies that Benefit Our Members

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Population Health has been described as “the overall health of a group of people.” At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we use different types of partnerships to improve the overall health and well-being of our members. We identify ...
    • February 9, 2026
  • What Is an HMO?

    Blogs: What Is an HMO?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    An HMO — or health maintenance organization — can help keep your costs lower and more predictable compared to other types of plans. With one medical group to coordinate your care, an HMO health plan is easy to use. An HMO health plan off...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Children’s Dental Health Month: Make Their Smiles Sparkle

    Blogs: Children’s Dental Health Month: Make Their Smiles Sparkle

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Children’s Dental Health Month started as a small, one‑day event in 1941 and has grown into a nationwide effort to show families why oral health matters. After all, your mouth is important for many parts of life — eating, speaking, learni...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Know Where to Go When Minutes Count, or Anytime

    Blogs: Know Where to Go When Minutes Count, or Anytime

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    It’s important to know where to go when you need care. Sometimes the choice is clear. If you’re having signs of a heart attack or stroke, it’s best to go to an emergency room (ER). But what if you have a sore throat? Or an upset sto...
    • February 9, 2026
  • What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

    Blogs: What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    If you have diabetes, you know you need to check your blood sugar regularly. But do you know you also need an A1C test? Blood glucose numbers only give a quick snapshot of blood sugar control at certain times of day. You may think your blood sugar is...
    • February 9, 2026
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    Autism Spectrum Disorder and Your Child: What You Need to Know

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 26, 2025
    Parenting means helping your children grow, develop and navigate the world. It’s no different for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Yet they face a unique set of challenges. Taking action early can make a real difference in nav....
    • 49520 Views
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    Detecta el cáncer de colon a tiempo con un examen preventivo

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect August 26, 2025
    Excluyendo los cánceres de piel, el cáncer colorrectal es el tercer tipo de cáncer más común entre los estadounidenses y la segunda causa de muerte relacionada con el cáncer en los Estados Unidos seg&uac...
    • 5740 Views
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    Clear the Air: The Truth About E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Smoking

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 26, 2025
    Many people, mostly teens and young adults, think using e-cigs will make them look more stylish. They also often think they are a healthier choice than smoking cigarettes. Whether they look like cigarettes, pipes, pens or lipstick holders, they all...
    • 17496 Views
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    Watch Your Waist: Fat Around the Middle Can Be Dangerous

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 26, 2025
    We all know that carrying extra weight is not healthy. But do you know that where you carry your weight matters? It turns out that not all fat is the same. Fat at the waistline can indicate an increased risk for some serious health problems. Visceral...
    • 35747 Views
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    Get a Mammogram: Early Detection Saves Lives

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 26, 2025
    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...
    • 84985 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/yearly-health-screenings.jpg

    Have You Had Your Health Screenings This Year?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 26, 2025
    Your annual wellness visit and health screenings play an important role in catching small health problems before they become big ones. Add your annual exam and health screenings to your to-do list to make sure they get done. If you still need some...
    • 25376 Views
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    Is It Cold, Flu, Allergies or COVID-19?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 25, 2025
    If you have sniffles, sneezes, coughing or sore throat, it can be hard to tell if your symptoms are from allergies, a cold, the flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Until you know for sure what’s causing your symptoms, it’s always good to err on the sid...
    • 58521 Views
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    Prepárate para el Período de inscripción abierta

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect August 25, 2025
    Juntar la información que necesitas antes del inicio del Periodo de inscripción abierta ayuda a simplificar todo el proceso. Si divides la tarea en pasos fáciles de manejar, incluso puedes ahorrarte algunas preocupacion...
    • 5561 Views
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    Get Ready for Open Enrollment

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 25, 2025
    If you want to buy a new individual and family health plan or choose a different one, get the details you need before open enrollment starts on Nov. 1. Break the task into easy-to-handle steps. Keep the Deadlines in Mind Open enrollment ends Jan...
    • 46705 Views
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    Información importante sobre las pruebas de cáncer de próstata

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect August 21, 2025
    El cáncer de próstata es el cáncer interno más común en los hombres estadounidenses (con excepción del cáncer de la piel). Sin embargo, es difícil saber cuándo hay que hacerse la pr...
    • 3807 Views
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    What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer Testing

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 21, 2025
    Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in American men. But when to get screened for it isn’t an easy decision. Talking with your doctor can help you choose what’s best for you. Testing Recommendations The U.S. Preventive Ser...
    • 19785 Views
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    Proper Oral Care for You and Your Baby

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 20, 2025
    Pregnancy and welcoming a newborn baby can be an exciting time. It’s easy to be busy making plans and preparations, but one aspect of your health not always discussed during this time is making sure you keep up with good dental care. Good denta....
    • 5278 Views
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    Teen Health Includes Healthy Teeth

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 19, 2025
    Teens throw a whole set of unique challenges every parent’s way. A lot of focus for teens is on the physical and emotional changes they are experiencing. For their overall health though, it’s also important to keep good dental health in m...
    • 4078 Views
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    Obtener servicios médicos de la red puede ayudarte a reducir los costos

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect August 8, 2025
    Cuando vas de compras seguramente estás atento a los costos, ya que quieres comprar lo que necesitas a un precio razonable. ¿Es este el caso también a la hora de buscar atención médica? Acudir a profesionales m&eacu...
    • 11623 Views
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    Four Hispanic Medical Pioneers Who Made Our Lives Better

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team August 8, 2025
    They were pioneers, risk takers and dedicated physicians determined to contribute something to the world that was greater than themselves. During Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), we celebrate the lives and legacies...
    • 4568 Views
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