BlueCare Tennessee

02/11/2026

Tennessee Community Compass can help you find support close to home. You can get help finding food, housing and other things you may need. To get started, go to bluecare.bcbst.com. Look for the Need Some Extra Support box at the bottom of the page. Then enter your ZIP code.

02/09/2026

As a foster parent, it’s important to build a relationship with your child’s primary care provider (P*P). Sharing your foster child’s health history with them is also important. This can help your child get the care that’s best for them.

It can also help their P*P:

• Understand symptoms more clearly.

• Avoid drugs or treatments that could cause allergic reactions.

• Make informed decisions in an emergency.

Share all information with other providers, too. Your child’s providers should know who their P*P is. Other providers should also have access to reports and results. This can help your child’s P*P keep track of all of their health information.

02/05/2026

02/04/2026

Your body needs cholesterol to work. But too much cholesterol can harm your health. Statins are a type of medicine you can use to lower your cholesterol and keep your heart healthy. Your doctor can help you decide if a statin might be right for you. And if you’re prescribed a statin, they can let you know how to take it.

Everyone doesn’t need statins. Simple lifestyle changes like exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet can also keep your heart healthy and your cholesterol down.

02/02/2026

Flu season is underway, but there’s still time to protect you and your family from getting sick. The CDC says most people over six months old should get a flu shot every year. And it can take about two weeks for the shot to start working. So, the sooner you get one, the better.

Sometimes you can still get the flu even if you’ve gotten the shot. But if you do get sick, the vaccine can help keep your symptoms from being as bad. Just make sure to take steps to keep others around you from getting sick.

• Stay away from other people as much as possible while you’re sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Disinfect areas you touch frequently, like household surfaces.
• Stay home until you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours without using a drug to lower your temperature.

Following these steps can keep you and those around you safe.

01/28/2026

When the weather gets cooler, it can be hard to stay active. But it’s still important to take care of your mental and physical health. If you’re looking for ways to stay active during the winter, here are some things you can try.

• Exercise while you’re shopping. Try to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Go out and volunteer. Many volunteer opportunities are physically engaging. And they’re a great way to give back to your community.
• Have a dance party. A 5-minute dance break is a great way to get the body moving. A little movement can go a long way.

You can find more tips on the American Heart Association website at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/how-to-stay-active-in-cold-weather

01/26/2026

Talking about mental health isn’t easy. But talking about it could keep you or someone you care about safe. If you’re in a mental health crisis or worried about harming yourself or others, call or text 988. The line connects you with trained counselors who are ready to help. And they’re available 24/7.
If daily life feels overwhelming but it isn’t an emergency, reach out to your doctor. They can help you figure out what might make things better. And they can connect you with a mental health provider if you need one.

01/21/2026

Thinking about having another baby? Adding another little one to the family is exciting, but it’s important to think about how soon you want to take the next step. Before you decide, talk to your doctor about your plans. They can answer questions you have about getting or being pregnant. For most people, it’s recommended to wait 18 months or more between pregnancies. This lets your body fully recover from your last birth. It also gives your baby the best chance of:

• Being born at the right time, instead of too early.
• Having a healthy birth weight.
• Growing at the right speed for their age.

Some people may not need to wait 18 months between pregnancies. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can help you decide what’s best for you and your family.

01/19/2026

Has your child gotten their yearly checkup? If not, now’s a great time to schedule it. Having a checkup at the start of the year lets the doctor check your child’s health and make sure they’re up to date on any vaccines they may need.

These checkups can also help the doctor find some health problems earlier, when they may be easier to treat. We cover these visits at no extra cost to our members.

Need help scheduling an appointment? Call us at the Customer Service number on the back of your Member ID card.

01/14/2026

Have you started working toward your New Year’s resolutions? If not, don’t worry. You still have a lot of time. Going after multiple goals can be stressful. This year, try setting a goal you can accomplish in many ways, like taking better care of yourself.

Here are some steps you can take to help you achieve this goal:

• Spend more time outside. If you’re feeling down, this can put you in a better mood.
• Practice healthy habits like eating a well-balanced diet. Healthy habits can help you live a healthier life.
• Give yourself breaks throughout the day. You can use this time to journal, read a book or rest.

Whether taking better care of yourself is your goal this year or not, it’s still important. If you’re having a hard time or need extra support, we’re here to help. You can learn more about mental health benefits and resources online. Just go to bluecare.bcbst.com/get-care/behavioral-health.

01/12/2026

Need help getting to your health appointment? If you’re a BlueCare or TennCareSelect member, we can help.

We work with a company called Verida for your transportation benefit. You can get free rides from Verida to your doctor or to pick up your medicine. Or they can pay you back for the miles you drive to non-emergency health appointments.

They’ll pay you back $0.70 per mile. And they’ll add the money to your loadable gas mileage card from Comdata.

If you have any questions, visit member.verida.com.

01/07/2026

Are you involved in your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)? In this program, you can work with your child’s teachers and IEP team to make sure your child gets the help they need to be successful.

You know your child best. Your feedback can help your child and their IEP team.

Have questions about the program or how you can be more involved? Contact your child’s school for more information.