• Switch from the HMO to a PPO during the special enrollment period that follows childbirth?

    Hi, I have a BCBS of IL HMO that covers my wife and me. My open enrollment period ends 11/23/20. My wife is due to give birth on 12/21/20. We don’t want to have any changes in care for the last month of pregnancy nor do we want to deal with any charges…
  • Comment on 8 Surprising Facts about Arthritis

    I think of rheumatoid arthritis as an autoimmune disease (autoimmune arthritis) that affects more than joints (causes more systemic inflammation — it can attack internal organs too in the worst cases). It's pretty different from osteoarthritis and can…
  • Comparing Plans

    It's time for open enrollment through my employer and I want to compare my current plan to another one my employer offers and one that my husband's employer offers. Is there anywhere on this website that I can do that? Two of them are BCBSIL plans. Bonus…
  • What Does Your Thyroid Do?

    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 (thyroxine). Then the brain’s pituitary…
  • Cuida tu salud antes, durante y después del embarazo

    Siempre vale la pena cuidar tu salud, pero mucho más cuando estás esperando un bebé. Cuidar tu salud es fundamental mientras intentas quedar embarazada, durante el embarazo y después de dar a luz. Forma un plan de bienestar personal antes, durante…
  • AIDS and HIV: Prevention and the Search for a Cure

    During the 1980s, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) became an unwelcome part of our reality. The disease launched a global health epidemic when it was identified in 1981. Since then, AIDS has claimed more than 700,000 lives in the United States…
  • Good Gum Care May Help Manage Diabetes

    If you have diabetes, even your mouth is affected. Regular dental care and managing your blood sugar level go hand in hand to keep both your body and mouth healthy. Gum Disease and Blood Sugar Levels Gum disease — also called periodontal disease …
  • Protect Yourself from Cervical Cancer: Get Your Screenings

    We’ve all heard the old proverb: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Translated, it simply means catching health issues early is best. Many preventive services covered under your health plan help do just that. Three preventive services…
  • What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

    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…