Blogs

Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:46:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Digital Smarts: Basic Smartphone Terms Explained

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:42:38 GMT

Smartphones are more than just phones. These modern-day marvels can carry out a whole range of functions besides phone calls. With a smartphone, you can surf the web, send and receive emails and texts, record video, take photos, watch movies and much...(read more)

Smartphone Basics for Older Adults: Unlocking the Digital World

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:45:00 GMT

If you’re new to smartphones, they can seem scary and confusing. But they don’t have to be. Read on for a simple guide to the basics of using a smartphone. What are smartphone apps? A smartphone is a mobile phone with many of the same fun...(read more)

Calendars Fill Quickly, Schedule Your Mammogram Early

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:27:00 GMT

Do you book your doctors’ appointments in advance? A little planning now can help you keep up with important health checks that could save your life one day. Routine mammograms are one of those important checks. When breast cancer is fou...(read more)

Earn Rewards for Healthy Actions

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:22:00 GMT

Blue Cross Medicare AdvantageSM members can earn up to $100 in gift cards for Healthy Actions.* Whether it’s scheduling your annual wellness visit or getting your flu shot, now you can earn rewards while taking care of your health. Here ar...(read more)

Pneumonia: A Lung Infection Can Affect Heart Health

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:52:00 GMT

Every year, nearly one million people in the United States end up in the hospital with pneumonia. Along with making breathing difficult, the infection places stress on the heart. The added stress raises the risk for heart attack, stroke and dying of ...(read more)

How In-Home Test Kits Fit Into Your Schedule

BCBSTX Connect Team — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:12:00 GMT

There are things you love to do and things you have to do. Some health screenings fall into the latter. For example, you may not be eager to have a colonoscopy. You're not alone. There’s a way you can dial down the dread. W...(read more)

Take Care of Your Health After a Hospital Visit

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:13:00 GMT

You’re glad to be back home after a hospital stay. Now it’s the time to make sure you stay on track to heal. You can take an active role in your recovery by staying on top of details. Have you reviewed your p...(read more)

Stay on Top of Your Prescriptions

BCBSTX Connect Team — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:43:00 GMT

It’s not always easy to take medications on time. Life sometimes gets in the way of best-laid plans. One day you look at your pillbox and realize you’re a few doses behind. Taking your medicine as prescribed&nbsp...(read more)

Six Ways to Start Small and Make Big Changes

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:06:00 GMT

Want an easy, effective and safe way to get healthy? Think small. Small changes can actually lead to greater well-being over time. "Thinking small" works because it eases you into healthy new habits. Old habits don't simply go away. As someone ...(read more)

Skip a Trip to the Doctor’s Office with an In-Home Assessment

BCBSTX Connect Team — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 09:40:00 GMT

A trip to the doctor’s office takes time away from your everyday life. You may have to find a ride or cancel other plans. For Medicare Advantage members, an in-home health assessment can let you get the health check you need. Plus, it saves you...(read more)

Perks and Pit'falls' of Owning a Dog

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:19:00 GMT

How do you turn back the hands of time? One study suggests that dog owners over the age of 65 can turn back the clock as much as 10 years. A furry friend can help: Fend off depression Fight loneliness Lower blood pressure Reduce heart rate The simp...(read more)

In-Home Diabetes Care: Make Good Food Choices

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Managing your diabetes can seem like a full-time job. There are so many things that affect your blood sugar level. What you eat, the number of hours you sleep, how active you are — even stress — all have an impact. You can’t always ...(read more)

In-Home Diabetes Care: The Importance of Moving

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:00:00 GMT

Diabetes management is about more than food and medication. It's important to stay physically active, too. When you exercise, your muscles use sugar for energy. This helps reduce glucose levels without added insulin. A study by Mayo Clinic found that...(read more)

Nurseline: Get Your Questions Answered

BCBSTX Connect Team — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 09:19:00 GMT

Health issues don’t always follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Sometimes, problems and questions come up at the worst possible times (like 8 o’clock on a Friday night, or when you’re on your way to a family reunion). It's tempting to hop on t...(read more)