Thinking about spending time outdoors or enjoying time in the summer sun? With the warmer months come many outdoor activities. If you’re going to be outdoors this summer, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to stay safe this summer. Know the difference between UVA & UVB rays: There are two types of ra [...]

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and 1 in 10 will die from it. The following increase the risk for melanoma: bad sunburns at a young age, tanning outdoors or indoors, a weakened immune system from an autoimmune disorder or organ transplant and a family history of mel [...]

Have a partner who won’t stop snoring? Maybe your doctor has suggested participating in a sleep study. Before you get certain types of care, we ask your doctor to consult with our medical team to discuss and agree on the course of treatment. This helps be sure you’re getting the right care and to know that your procedure will be covered. The kinds of treatments we want to work with your [...]

This year, the Florida Blue Centers are committed to providing classes to our communities that can help everyone live a more centered and fulfilling life. Tune in each month to find out what’s happening in your neighborhood! Meet the Pharmacist: Walgreens Lunch and Learn About Medications June 13, 12 p.m. Join your local Walgreens Pharmacist to [...]

Originally called “Decoration Day,” the first day of remembrance for our service members was held in 1868. Memorial Day as we know it did not become a designated federal holiday until June 28, 1968, and with that designation began the tradition of a three-day, long weekend. On Memorial Day we remember and honor all those who fought for the freedoms we are so proud to enjoy on a daily ba [...]

Have you ever squinted at the road in front of you and wondered, “Maybe I should stop driving…”? Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to stop driving one day. You could still be cruising down the road, windows rolled down and blasting Led Zeppelin, well into your 80s and 90s. But for many of us, the time may come when you have to decide whether it’s safe for you to be in t [...]

In 10th grade in St. Augustine, I was just coming into my own as a student-athlete. I was in Mr. Andrews’ math class, and it was full of seniors and juniors. They were all athletes, and as a 10th-grader I was absolutely terrified. But Mr. Andrews made it so easy for me to build a relationship with all those students. Together as a class we laughed, we had a great time learning, and at t [...]

Have questions about what screenings and tests you need to take care of your health this year? Florida Blue wants to make it as easy as possible for our Medicare Advantage members to get the care they need. Getting preventive screenings and tests each year helps your doctor understand what’s going on with your health. These screenings also can detect health problems early, when they are [...]

As we shared on our Florida Blue blog last November, you may soon receive a new red, white and blue Medicare card. Medicare wants to help keep your information more secure and help protect your identity. Between April 2018 and April 2019, Medicare will remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards as [...]

Have you thought about trying a plant-based diet? Being a vegan means you abstain from all animal products (including meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs and even honey). Studies have linked vegan diets to lower rates of heart disease and stress. The key to eating healthy on a vegan diet is planning. Planning is crucial so you don’t miss out on essential nutrients or end up eating too many [...]