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<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="https://connect.bcbstx.com/cfs-file/__key/system/syndication/rss.xsl" media="screen"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"><channel><title /><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/</link><description>Connect With Us! Log in to our community to ask questions, rate articles, comment and more. Search articles and watch videos; ask questions and get answers. Topics include everything from improving your well-being to explaining health coverage.</description><dc:language>en-US</dc:language><generator>Telligent Community 12</generator><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Member ID</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1492/member-id/3797</link><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:07:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:7f09bd11-1c81-442d-a5b1-53fd2bebdd2f</guid><dc:creator>Jems</dc:creator><description>How to create account? I don&amp;#39;t know membership ID, and don&amp;#39;t have card</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: How long does it take to get a response up here?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1493/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-response-up-here/3795</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:19:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:a6e04f48-d0f7-4390-b1e2-0e939bc1b96d</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>This is not an instant messaging platform. There will be delays in our responses. ~ HC</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Member ID</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1492/member-id/3794</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:19:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:d388751c-3fa3-4ff7-9fab-0d4d656f221e</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>Hello, I have responded to your private message. ~ HC</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: How long does it take to get a response up here?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1493/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-response-up-here</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:49:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:a4ac3a5d-5380-459a-890a-d1228d38015c</guid><dc:creator>Addiep</dc:creator><description>I asked a question via PM over an hour ago. I thought this was a quick chat.</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: I don’t have my letter or card to get my member id number . What can I do?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1465/i-don-t-have-my-letter-or-card-to-get-my-member-id-number-what-can-i-do/3793</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:42:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:4f9ebe3b-57f1-4a6b-b425-18c093fea8d1</guid><dc:creator>steveport65</dc:creator><description>I need my member number</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: Member ID</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1492/member-id</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:55:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:20c34e4b-d6af-49a6-87a7-0ffb1b5d52d2</guid><dc:creator>Addiep</dc:creator><description>How do I find out what my member ID number is if I don&amp;#39;t have the welcome letter or my member card. Can I look it up any other way?</description></item><item><title>Blog Post: ¿Tienes problemas para configurar pagos de la prima?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/espanol/b/tucobertura/posts/problemas-con-el-pago-de-la-prima</link><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:10:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:1d4daee9-9d1c-4297-a783-e2dece41909f</guid><dc:creator>EquipoConnect</dc:creator><description>Recomendamos a los asegurados realizar pagos mediante transferencia electr&amp;#243;nica de fondos y configurar los pagos mensuales de la prima mediante las transferencias electr&amp;#243;nicas de fondos de Auto Bill Pay . Cuando reci&amp;#233;n est&amp;#225;s comenzando, usar una transferencia electr&amp;#243;nica de fondos nos ayuda a procesar tu solicitud de cobertura r&amp;#225;pidamente. Adem&amp;#225;s, durante todo el a&amp;#241;o de cobertura, los pagos autom&amp;#225;ticos ayudan a que los pagos se realicen a tiempo sin que tengas que preocuparte. Usar Auto Bill Pay reduce el riesgo de que pierdas cobertura por no pagar las primas mensuales. Nuestro portal de pagos para asegurados est&amp;#225; dise&amp;#241;ado para que sea r&amp;#225;pido y f&amp;#225;cil de usar. Pero &amp;#191;qu&amp;#233; puedes hacer si tienes problemas para configurar los pagos? Los siguientes son algunos problemas comunes y consejos que pueden ayudarte a solucionarlos. Si no puedes completar la configuraci&amp;#243;n del pago: Vuelve a revisar si hay errores. Los errores de tecleo ocurren con frecuencia al ingresar n&amp;#250;meros y letras. Adem&amp;#225;s, la autocorrecci&amp;#243;n puede ingresar una palabra mal escrita antes de que copies y pegues el texto. Prueba con otro m&amp;#233;todo de pago. Usar otra tarjeta de cr&amp;#233;dito o cuenta bancaria puede ayudar. Las instituciones bancarias pueden tener interrupciones del sistema que impidan que se procese el m&amp;#233;todo de pago. Adem&amp;#225;s, otras facturas electr&amp;#243;nicas a veces se procesan antes o despu&amp;#233;s de lo esperado, lo que puede impedir que se complete la configuraci&amp;#243;n del pago. Si el pago no aparece en tu estado de cuenta bancaria, haz lo siguiente: Revisa los detalles de Auto Bill Pay : Verifica la fecha del primer giro autom&amp;#225;tico o la pr&amp;#243;xima fecha del giro autom&amp;#225;tico. Revisa en qu&amp;#233; etapa del proceso est&amp;#225; el pago durante el giro del fin de mes (consulta el indicador de estado). Recuerda que el banco puede tardar hasta 24 horas en mostrar el giro en tu cuenta. Si ya revisaste estos problemas comunes y todav&amp;#237;a tienes dificultades, llama al n&amp;#250;mero en tu tarjeta de asegurado. Un representante de Servicio al Cliente estar&amp;#225; encantado de ayudarte a completar el proceso.</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Pago%2bAutom_26002300_225_3B00_tico">Pago Autom&amp;#225;tico</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Tu%2bCobertura">Tu Cobertura</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Espa_26002300_241_3B00_ol">Espa&amp;#241;ol</category></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: How I Got an ESA Letter in Florida</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1489/how-i-got-an-esa-letter-in-florida/3792</link><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:04:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:7e17b860-c118-4e70-8d3e-555183c0bdb6</guid><dc:creator>Matt Cowell</dc:creator><description>I’ve had a good experience with my ESA. Having my dog around gives me a sense of comfort, especially on stressful days, and just having that routine of walking and caring for him helps me feel more settled. Basketball Bros</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Never Applied</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1266/never-applied/3789</link><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:04:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:83d107e3-e186-4ab3-aa71-992f033698e0</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>Hi inlinerace, We can help you with this if you&amp;#39;d like to send us a private message. ~ KW</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Never Applied</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1266/never-applied/3788</link><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:24:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:64314f08-0ce4-473d-9d3c-7a928c723860</guid><dc:creator>inlinerace</dc:creator><description>Same question btw actions and stuffs apk</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Can I get that covered/reimbursement for Yoga classes?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/831/can-i-get-that-covered-reimbursement-for-yoga-classes/3786</link><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 04:07:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:ce91c68e-cb87-478d-aa87-17e49220763f</guid><dc:creator>DanMar</dc:creator><description>I think so too.</description></item><item><title>Blog Post: What Exactly Is Asthma?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/health-and-wellness/b/weblog/posts/what-exactly-is-asthma</link><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:26:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:f2c2ee77-bfa1-437c-95f5-b45ed4929f43</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>In the United States, more than 28 million people have asthma. Nearly 5 million of them are children under the age of 18. Why are children so vulnerable? Asthma is a disease of the lungs that causes airways to swell and narrow. Since children have smaller airways than adults, it’s even harder for air to pass through them during an asthma attack. As a result, asthma is especially serious for children. When children are exposed to certain triggers, they can quickly develop a cough and trouble breathing. Triggers can include anything they can breathe in. Pollen floating in the air and cigarette smoke are two examples. Respiratory colds and infections can trigger asthma attacks, too. Symptoms can make it difficult — sometimes impossible — to play sports, focus at school or even sleep. Are Adult and Child Asthma the Same? Asthma is the same in adults and children. Due to their developing lungs and smaller airways, children can face more severe challenges with the disease. In fact, childhood asthma is a leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and missed school days . Parents often have to leave work to care for their child. As a chronic disease, childhood asthma can&amp;#39;t be cured, but it can be managed. For many, asthma symptoms often continue into adulthood. How Do I Know What Asthma Triggers to Avoid? Children with asthma may experience wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing. Many things can bring on an asthma attack, including: Weather - cold air, changes in climate Exercise - high-intensity movement Infections - flu, common cold Allergens - mold, pollen, dust, dander from animals Irritants - cigarette smoke, air pollution Emotions – strong crying or laughing How Is Asthma Treated? With the right treatment, you and your child can keep symptoms under control and prevent damage to growing lungs. Asthma is generally treated with two medicines: Daily meds for long-term control (‘controller’ medicines) to prevent symptoms Quick-relief meds to help with asthma attacks and flare-ups When your child has asthma, the condition is always there — even when things are going fine. Symptoms can flare up at any time. Medicine might not work as well as it once did in preventing an asthma attack. Your child may need to use a quick-relief medicine every day to stop asthma attacks. If this happens, talk with your child’s doctor. It could be a sign that your child’s asthma is getting worse. A change in medication may be needed to keep symptoms under control. Take other steps to help fend off asthma attacks. Avoiding asthma triggers. Monitor symptoms. Create and follow an Asthma Action Plan . Most kids with asthma can do all the fun things they want to do. Your child will feel better — and have more fun — when their asthma is controlled.&amp;amp; Sources: Asthma Facts, Figures and Stats , Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2026; Childhood Asthma , American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp;amp; Immunology, 2026; Asthma in Children , MedlinePlus 2025; Back to School with Healthy Lungs , American Lung Association, 2026; Create an Asthma Action Plan , American Lung Association, 2026</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Lung%2bHealth">Lung Health</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Health%2band%2bWellness">Health and Wellness</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Asthma">Asthma</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Children_1920_s%2bHealth">Children’s Health</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Health%2bConditions%2band%2bPrevention">Health Conditions and Prevention</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Understanding%2bAsthma">Understanding Asthma</category></item><item><title>Blog Post: Vacuna a tus hijos para mantenerlos seguros y saludables</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/espanol/b/tusalud/posts/no-hay-necesidad-de-sobreanalizar-solo-de-vacunar</link><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:54:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:28055670-6c37-4bee-a188-903e5884e0a5</guid><dc:creator>EquipoConnect</dc:creator><description>Es dif&amp;#237;cil mantener a tus hijos seguros cada minuto del d&amp;#237;a. Sin embargo, hay una cosa que puedes hacer para ayudar a protegerlos las 24 horas del d&amp;#237;a, los 7 d&amp;#237;as de la semana: asegurarte de que reciban todas las vacunas infantiles recomendadas. &amp;#191;Qu&amp;#233; vacunas necesitan los ni&amp;#241;os? Desde el nacimiento, los beb&amp;#233;s y los ni&amp;#241;os peque&amp;#241;os necesitan ciertas vacunas para ayudarles a mantenerse saludables a medida que crecen. Los ni&amp;#241;os mayores, incluso los preadolescentes y los adolescentes, tambi&amp;#233;n necesitan vacunas de vez en cuando. El pediatra te recordar&amp;#225; sobre las vacunas durante la consulta anual preventiva para ni&amp;#241;os . &amp;#191;Por qu&amp;#233; son tan importantes las vacunas? Cuando tus hijos no reciben las vacunas necesarias tienen un mayor riesgo de padecer muchas enfermedades mortales, que incluso pueden transmitir a sus amigos y familiares. Vacunarse es una manera confiable de prevenir muchas enfermedades que alguna vez fueron mortales. Las vacunas exponen el cuerpo a una cantidad muy peque&amp;#241;a de g&amp;#233;rmenes y virus d&amp;#233;biles. Es entonces cuando el sistema inmunitario desarrolla la habilidad para combatir estos virus en el futuro. Las vacunas han ralentizado o detenido la propagaci&amp;#243;n de la poliomielitis, el sarampi&amp;#243;n, las paperas y otras enfermedades en los EE. UU. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevenci&amp;#243;n de Enfermedades (CDC, en ingl&amp;#233;s) crearon esta gu&amp;#237;a de referencia r&amp;#225;pida que te informa sobre las vacunas para tus hijos y cu&amp;#225;ndo deben recibirlas. Todav&amp;#237;a se habla sobre la seguridad de las vacunas. Algunos padres se preocupan y rechazan las vacunas para sus hijos. Por ejemplo, un temor com&amp;#250;n es un supuesto v&amp;#237;nculo entre el autismo y las vacunas. Las investigaciones demuestran que no existe dicho v&amp;#237;nculo. De hecho, los Centros para el Control y la Prevenci&amp;#243;n de Enfermedades informan que las vacunas no causan autismo. El regreso del sarampi&amp;#243;n Una enfermedad rara reapareci&amp;#243; debido a que un peque&amp;#241;o n&amp;#250;mero de padres decidi&amp;#243; no vacunar a sus hijos. Todo comenz&amp;#243; cuando varios ni&amp;#241;os que hab&amp;#237;an visitado un parque de diversiones en 2014 contrajeron sarampi&amp;#243;n. Esto no hab&amp;#237;a sucedido en los Estados Unidos en 15 a&amp;#241;os. En 2019 se produjo otro brote relacionado con los viajes a&amp;#233;reos, y esta tendencia se ha mantenido durante los &amp;#250;ltimos a&amp;#241;os. Cada a&amp;#241;o se registraron numerosos brotes, sumando m&amp;#225;s de 2,100 casos en 2025 y nuevamente en 2026. Se estima que el 93% de las personas infectadas, especialmente los ni&amp;#241;os, no estaban vacunadas. Si bien tenemos la suerte de que algunas enfermedades ya no existen en los EE. UU., por lo general, estas se pueden contraer en un viaje en avi&amp;#243;n. Por ejemplo, la poliomielitis todav&amp;#237;a afecta a algunos ni&amp;#241;os en ciertos pa&amp;#237;ses de Medio Oriente , &amp;#193;frica e Islas del Pac&amp;#237;fico. Las personas infectadas pueden transmitir la enfermedad durante semanas, ya sea antes o despu&amp;#233;s de que los s&amp;#237;ntomas aparezcan. Estos ejemplos destacan la raz&amp;#243;n por la que los CDC declaran que &amp;quot;pronto podr&amp;#237;amos estar luchando contra epidemias de enfermedades que cre&amp;#237;amos haber vencido hace d&amp;#233;cadas&amp;quot;. Mant&amp;#233;n a todos saludables Cuando los ni&amp;#241;os y los adultos reciben las vacunas recomendadas, estas ayudan a proteger a las personas a su alrededor. Adem&amp;#225;s de prevenir la propagaci&amp;#243;n de enfermedades a los amigos y los familiares, tambi&amp;#233;n ayudan a proteger a los dem&amp;#225;s. Los beb&amp;#233;s muy peque&amp;#241;os, las embarazadas, los pacientes con c&amp;#225;ncer, las personas con VIH y otros problemas m&amp;#233;dicos pueden tener sistemas inmunitarios vulnerables. Si tienes inquietudes o preguntas sobre las vacunas, consulta a tu m&amp;#233;dico o al pediatra de tus hijos. De esa manera, puedes tomar la mejor decisi&amp;#243;n para la salud de tu familia y comunidad. Fuentas: AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits , American Academy of Pediatrics, 2026; Recommended Vaccines for Young Children , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025; Common Vaccine Safety Questions and Concerns , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Measles Cases and Outbreaks , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026; Global Polio Eradication Initiative , Polio Eradication.org, 2026</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Tu%2bSalud">Tu Salud</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/salud%2bp_26002300_250_3B00_blico">salud p&amp;#250;blico</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Espa_26002300_241_3B00_ol">Espa&amp;#241;ol</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/vacuna">vacuna</category></item><item><title>Blog Post: Don’t Be Sidelined by Exercise-Induced Asthma</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/health-and-wellness/b/weblog/posts/dont-be-sidelined-by-exercise-induced-asthma</link><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:52:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:7cb3aee0-aea3-459f-adf7-93c46c8293db</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>David Beckham is one of the best-known soccer players of all time. Roy Hibbert is a two-time NBA All-Star. Swimmer Amy Van Dyken is a six-time Olympic gold medalist. What do these athletes have in common? They all live with asthma. Beckham has been managing his asthma since he was a young boy. Hibbert wasn’t diagnosed until he was well into his NBA career. Van Dyken joined a swim team to live a more active life with asthma. With the help of a doctor, you can be active even though you’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Exercise can help you stay healthy and control your symptoms. What’s the link between asthma and exercise? Physical activity can bring on an asthma attack called exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Experts say 40 to 90 percent of people dealing with chronic asthma also go through EIA. Symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. These symptoms may happen within the first few minutes of exercise or right after stopping a workout. They can last for an hour or longer and may lead to an asthma attack. Are some exercises more likely to cause an attack? Some high-intensity activities are more likely to trigger EIA. Basketball, soccer, running and field hockey are a few examples. Activities in cold, dry air, such as cross-country skiing, snowboarding and ice-skating, can cause a bout of EIA, too. How should an athlete manage asthma? The Cleveland Clinic notes a proper warm-up can make a big difference in whether you run into breathing trouble during exercise. How can you reduce your risk? Exercise-induced asthma is a life-long health problem that you can manage. Your doctor may give you a pre-exercise medicine to help prevent symptoms. It’s also important to follow these tips: Warm up for several minutes by stretching and running in place. Check your asthma with your peak-flow meter before you exercise. Exercise indoors during cold weather or when air pollution and airborne allergens like pollen are at high levels. If you do exercise outdoors during these conditions, then breathe through your nose and cover your face with a mask. Use quick-acting medicine from your doctor if your asthma gets worse. Your doctor may also recommend a quick-acting medication before exercise as part of your Asthma Action Plan. Avoid working out when your symptoms aren’t under control, or when you have a cold or other infection. Engage in activities like leisure walking, biking or swimming that are less triggering. Cool down slowly after your workout. Don’t stop suddenly; wind down slowly for several minutes. Having asthma doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun or healthy benefits of an active lifestyle. Talk with your doctor about activities that are best for you and your asthma management. Sources: Asthma and Exercise , American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp;amp; Immunology, 2026; Exercise-Induced Asthma , Cleveland Clinic, 2024; Breathing Easy: How to Safely Exercise Outdoors With Asthma , Cleveland Clinic, 2025</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Health%2band%2bWellness">Health and Wellness</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Exercise">Exercise</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Asthma">Asthma</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Health%2bConditions%2band%2bPrevention">Health Conditions and Prevention</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Asthma%2bDiet%2band%2bHealth">Asthma Diet and Health</category></item><item><title>Blog Post: Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Now What?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/health-and-wellness/b/weblog/posts/breast-cancer-diagnosis-now-what</link><pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:52:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:c57d5c4f-20d7-46d5-a2db-10034a6e4676</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>About one in eight American women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. What happens when you or a loved one is among them? Breast cancer treatment is a journey. At times, it may seem overwhelming. Take comfort knowing we&amp;#39;re here for you. Here are some guideposts and resources to help you along the way. Share News About Your Diagnosis Learning you have cancer can be an emotional rollercoaster. Although “cancer” is easy to pronounce, it can be the hardest word to say when you’ve just been diagnosed. Remember, it’s healthy to talk about it with your friends and family. Sharing the news can help you cope. It can relieve feelings of isolation and frustration. When you&amp;#39;re ready, tell your loved ones about your diagnosis. Use words that are comfortable for you. There’s no one right or wrong way to discuss your disease. Get help. Make a list of people you want to tell personally. Then ask a family member or trusted friend to talk with others. Plan ahead. Most people will have questions about your prognosis or next steps. Think about how much you want to share — it’s up to you. There may be topics you aren’t ready to talk about. Think about ways to change the subject if something you don’t want to talk about comes up. Be gentle, but honest when talking with children. They may sense something is wrong and should hear about your cancer from you. Stay calm and assure them they’ll be cared for. Take Good Care of Yourself Steps you take to nurture your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being are vital during this time. Here are some tips to help you cope better: Get enough rest, eat healthy foods and stay physically active. Stay involved with the activities and things you enjoy. Not all parts of your life need to be put on hold. Find quiet time for reflection and relaxation. Get help from your doctor if you feel anxious, hopeless or depressed for more than two weeks. Prepare for Treatment Making decisions about your treatment may seem overwhelming. There are many choices when it comes to cancer treatments, so decisions may not always be straightforward. Learn as much as you can about your cancer and the treatment options available to you. When you’re actively involved in the decision-making, it will help you better understand your treatment. Understanding can help you feel more in control and less worried about the road ahead. We’re Here to Help Along with understanding your diagnosis, knowing what to do next isn’t always clear. As a member, feel free to reach out to us here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield. You can log in to your account online and speak to one of our Customer advocates through Secure Message or a live webchat. You can also call the customer service number on your member ID card. To find out what resources and help are available to you, just tell the Customer Advocate you’ve learned you have breast cancer. Ask to talk with a care manager. We have a team of registered nurses and social workers ready to help you through your treatment and recovery journey. Together, they’ll make sure you get the best possible care. These care managers can be a lifeline to support services. They will: Explain your treatment options Provide referrals to doctors if you need a second opinion Help plan your treatment and recovery Offer resources to assist you and your family with childcare, transportation and finding affordable medicine Listen and help you cope with feelings and emotions Find resources for a wig Connect you with a dietitian to address your new nutrition needs Case managers also work with our teams of doctors and pharmacists to review your treatments and medicines. These reviews help prevent harmful interactions with any of the drugs you take. They let you know about any foods you need to avoid while taking certain medicines. Case managers also work behind the scenes to coordinate care among your doctors. Along with coordinating your medical care, a case manager helps you understand what’s ahead, provides answers to your medical questions, and guides you through the journey with compassion. Are you facing breast cancer? Sources: Cancer Diagnosis: 11 Tips for Coping , Mayo Clinic, 2026; Breast Cancer Facts &amp;amp; Stats , National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 2026</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Health%2band%2bWellness">Health and Wellness</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Women_1920_s%2bHealth">Women’s Health</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Living%2bwith%2bBreast%2bCancer">Living with Breast Cancer</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Cancer">Cancer</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Breast%2bCancer">Breast Cancer</category></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Cannot log into my account. When I try to recover my username, I get the email but it doesn't have my username in it.</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1490/cannot-log-into-my-account-when-i-try-to-recover-my-username-i-get-the-email-but-it-doesn-t-have-my-username-in-it/3784</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:22:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:00bc3bd1-11a0-4126-81f2-56e50740434d</guid><dc:creator>BCBSTX Connect Team</dc:creator><description>Hello, If you could send us a private message, we can help you get logged in. ~ HC</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: Cannot log into my account. When I try to recover my username, I get the email but it doesn't have my username in it.</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1490/cannot-log-into-my-account-when-i-try-to-recover-my-username-i-get-the-email-but-it-doesn-t-have-my-username-in-it</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:11:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:a65311a1-51a8-4ea8-8731-515d8d307be8</guid><dc:creator>Kxjhinton</dc:creator><description>I recently restarted my plan, and Ive been trying to access my account but I can&amp;#39;t remember my username. I&amp;#39;ve tried the &amp;quot;forgot my username&amp;quot; and the email I get doesn&amp;#39;t have the username in it.</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Username">Username</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Login%2bproblems">Login problems</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/account">account</category></item><item><title>Blog Post: Cómo afectan las redes sociales a la salud mental y consejos para manejar el uso</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/espanol/b/tusalud/posts/afectan-las-redes-sociales-a-la-salud-mental</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:41:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:d96c57a7-b2c7-4736-9011-c3710e23c08c</guid><dc:creator>EquipoConnect</dc:creator><description>Las redes sociales y las herramientas digitales se han convertido en compa&amp;#241;eras constantes en la vida de la mayor&amp;#237;a de las personas. Si bien existen algunos beneficios positivos, las investigaciones tambi&amp;#233;n muestran el da&amp;#241;o que las redes sociales pueden causar a la salud mental si no se maneja el uso adecuadamente. La mayor&amp;#237;a de las personas usan las redes sociales a diario. Los estadounidenses pasan en promedio m&amp;#225;s de dos horas al d&amp;#237;a en plataformas de redes sociales. El aviso del director general de salud se&amp;#241;ala que hasta el 95 por ciento de los adolescentes de 13 a 17 a&amp;#241;os han informado que usan una plataforma de redes sociales. Y m&amp;#225;s de un tercio de ellos afirma que usa las redes sociales “casi constantemente”. Los canales de redes sociales han sido elogiados por su capacidad de reunir a personas de todo el mundo. Tambi&amp;#233;n pueden mejorar el acceso a la informaci&amp;#243;n y servir como plataformas para la autoexpresi&amp;#243;n, la creatividad y el apoyo social. Pero algunos estudios han encontrado que pasar m&amp;#225;s de tres horas al d&amp;#237;a en las redes sociales puede ser perjudicial para tu salud. Puede contribuir al sue&amp;#241;o deficiente , reducci&amp;#243;n de la actividad f&amp;#237;sica , aislamiento y un mayor riesgo de depresi&amp;#243;n y ansiedad. El uso frecuente de las redes sociales puede llevarnos a compararnos con lo que otras personas publican en l&amp;#237;nea. Cuando las expectativas no se cumplen, puede tener un impacto negativo en la autoestima. A veces, la ansiedad o la depresi&amp;#243;n pueden aparecer como consecuencia. Los j&amp;#243;venes tienen a&amp;#250;n m&amp;#225;s probabilidades que los adultos de verse afectados negativamente. Seg&amp;#250;n el aviso del director general de salud, su etapa de desarrollo cerebral los hace m&amp;#225;s vulnerables a la presi&amp;#243;n social, la comparaci&amp;#243;n con sus compa&amp;#241;eros, las conductas de riesgo y la depresi&amp;#243;n. La depresi&amp;#243;n es mucho m&amp;#225;s que sentirse triste o deprimido. Es padecimiento de salud mental grave que puede durar semanas, meses o m&amp;#225;s. Puede interferir con la capacidad de manejar la vida diaria. Del mismo modo, aunque cierta ansiedad es una parte normal de la vida, los trastornos de ansiedad son mucho m&amp;#225;s que preocupaciones o miedos ocasionales. Pueden apoderarse de tu vida, agotar tu energ&amp;#237;a y hacer que las tareas cotidianas parezcan dif&amp;#237;ciles. Maneja el uso de las redes sociales para una mejor salud mental Manejar el uso de las redes sociales puede ayudar a mejorar el bienestar mental. Para mantener el uso bajo control, la Asociaci&amp;#243;n Americana de Psiquiatr&amp;#237;a recomienda los siguientes consejos: Controla el tiempo. &amp;#191;Cu&amp;#225;nto tiempo pasas en las plataformas de redes sociales? Establece un l&amp;#237;mite de tiempo, como 20 minutos al d&amp;#237;a y c&amp;#250;mplelo. Desactiva las notificaciones. Controla las distracciones de las redes sociales para mantenerte enfocado en las actividades actuales. Reduce temporalmente (o permanentemente) la presencia. Reduce la cantidad de canales y aplicaciones que utilizas para que haya menos opciones compitiendo por tu atenci&amp;#243;n. Establece horarios espec&amp;#237;ficos para estar en l&amp;#237;nea o desconectado. Establece horarios espec&amp;#237;ficos en que usar&amp;#225;s o no las aplicaciones. Elige horas del d&amp;#237;a en las que est&amp;#233;s libre de otras tareas. Por ejemplo, puede ser despu&amp;#233;s de cenar o durante tu hora de almuerzo. Aseg&amp;#250;rate de cumplir con el l&amp;#237;mite de tiempo que establezcas. T&amp;#243;mate un descanso. Descon&amp;#233;ctate por completo de las redes sociales. T&amp;#243;mate un d&amp;#237;a, una semana, un mes o m&amp;#225;s. Al igual que tomar vacaciones, esto puede ser un buen reinicio mental. S&amp;#233; anal&amp;#237;tico y selectivo. Es importante evaluar las fuentes, el contenido y la credibilidad de la informaci&amp;#243;n que lees en las redes sociales. Considera seguir a personas, temas, sitios y actividades que resultan motivadores y de ayuda. El contenido &amp;#250;til o positivo es mejor para tu bienestar mental. Revisa tu configuraci&amp;#243;n de privacidad. Aseg&amp;#250;rate de saber qu&amp;#233; informaci&amp;#243;n o im&amp;#225;genes compartes y qui&amp;#233;n puede verlas. Establece l&amp;#237;mites en la configuraci&amp;#243;n de seguridad para reducir el riesgo de que personas desconocidas o no deseadas vean, comenten o utilicen tu contenido. Vive tu vida y enf&amp;#243;cate en las relaciones presenciales. Prioriza las conexiones y actividades presenciales, ya que puede ayudar con el aislamiento social. Interactuar con otras personas y con el mundo que te rodea puede reducir los sentimientos de soledad y depresi&amp;#243;n. Para los padres de ni&amp;#241;os y adolescentes, puede parecer abrumador intentar supervisar el uso de las redes sociales. La Academia Americana de Pediatr&amp;#237;a ha creado el centro de excelencia para las redes sociales y la salud mental para brindar ayuda. Fue dise&amp;#241;ado como una fuente basada en hechos de educaci&amp;#243;n y orientaci&amp;#243;n sobre el tiempo frente a la pantalla para padres con hijos de cualquier edad. Tomar medidas para supervisar tu relaci&amp;#243;n o la de tu familia con las redes sociales es un paso positivo para promover el bienestar mental. Si descubres que t&amp;#250; o un miembro de tu familia est&amp;#225; batallando mentalmente, pide ayuda siempre. Los consejeros de salud mental y los grupos de apoyo entre pares, como los de la Alianza Nacional sobre Enfermedades Mentales ( NAMI , en ingl&amp;#233;s), son buenos recursos para ayudarte a ti o a tu familia a volver a sentirse mejor. Sources: Relationship of screen time with anxiety, depression, and sleep quality among adolescents: a cross-sectional study , Frontiers in Public Health, National Library of Medicine, 2024; What doctors wish patients knew about cutting down on screen time , American Medical Association, 2025; The hazards of excessive screen time: impacts on physical health, mental health, and overall well-being , Journal of Education and Health Promotion, National Library of Medicine, 2023; Social Media and Youth Mental Health , U.S. Surgeon General, 2023; Anxiety Disorders , National Institute of Mental Health, 2024; 6 Tips to Help Take Control of Your Social Media Use and Improve Well-being , American Psychiatric Association, 2022; 7 Tips for Using Social Media for Mental Well-being , American Psychiatric Association, 2023; Kids &amp;amp; Screen Time: How to Use the 5 C&amp;#39;s of Media Guidance , American Academy of Pediatrics, 2026; Can a Break From Social Media Improve Mental Health? , Psychology Today, 2024; How Social Media Impacts Mental Health , Positive Psychology, 2025; Frequent Social Media Use and Experiences with Bullying Victimization, Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness, and Suicide Risk Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023 , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Americans’ Social Media Use 2025 , Pew Research Center, 2025</description><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Tu%2bSalud">Tu Salud</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Ni_26002300_241_3B00_os">Ni&amp;#241;os</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Salud%2bmental">Salud mental</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Salud%2by%2bBienestar">Salud y Bienestar</category><category domain="https://connect.bcbstx.com/tags/Espa_26002300_241_3B00_ol">Espa&amp;#241;ol</category></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Can I get that covered/reimbursement for Yoga classes?</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/831/can-i-get-that-covered-reimbursement-for-yoga-classes/3780</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:24:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:daf8d8d9-0e05-405e-aeaf-59fe65690bdf</guid><dc:creator>ArthurGabriel</dc:creator><description>That&amp;#39;s a good point. Coverage can vary quite a bit between insurance plans, so checking the policy details is definitely the best first step. Hopefully, the original poster is able to find a wellness benefit or discount that helps cover part of the cost. iptv abonnement</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: My Experience Getting an ESA Letter in Maryland</title><link>https://connect.bcbstx.com/ask-bcbstx/f/questions-and-answers/1459/my-experience-getting-an-esa-letter-in-maryland/3778</link><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:44:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:2e58d593-7755-4f99-b138-7563ff70adba</guid><dc:creator>tararebecca</dc:creator><description>It’s helpful to hear how the ESA letter process worked for you and what others can expect when going through it . Stories like this make it easier for people to understand the steps and make informed decisions.</description></item></channel></rss>