Published on July 6, 2023 written by Jennifer Larson Summer is a great time for family activities and making memories. However, many options are time consuming and expensive. Here are ideas for family fun that you can do before you run out of summer. 1. Hit a local greenway Spending time outside in nature has nearly en...

Published on May 2, 2023 written by Jennifer Larson Social media use is linked to a decline in mental health, especially among teens. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that can protect your mental health online. But how do you know if you need to take those steps? WellTuned spoke with Laura Bertrand, a licensed p...

Published on December 1, 2022 written by Jennifer Larson It's December, which is prime time to buy holiday gifts for the younger members of family or friend groups. December is also Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, which is a reminder to be mindful about the kinds of gifts we buy. Dr. Felicia Baxter, a medical dire...

Published on November 7, 2022 written by Jennifer Larson America is a melting pot of many cultures. The holidays give people a chance to infuse their celebrations with a little flair that's unique to their culture or to try something from another culture that's new to them. "Trying new dishes and spices is a great...

Published on November 21, 2022 written by Katie Taylor Barnes Chattanooga is known for its outdoor adventures and scenic views. Lonely Plant named Chattanooga a 'Best in the U.S.' and a top ten place to visit in the U.S. This year, Tennessee high school students and their families will have the opportunity to explore ...

Published on October 4, 2022 written by Jennifer Larson After dialing back Halloween festivities during the pandemic, the holiday is expected to be the biggest in two years. Surveys show nearly 7 in 10 Americans plan to celebrate. But as parents, it's important to think beyond the immediate fun of the holiday. "We...

Published on September 26, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley If you need to talk with a counselor now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour line available to anyone in emotional distress. You can also reach the Lifeline using the short dialing code: 988. Mental trauma is...

-via bcbstwelltuned.com Published on September 9, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley If you need to talk with a counselor now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour line available to anyone in emotional distress. You can also reach the Lifeline using the short dialing code...

Published on August 7, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley Getting kids ready to go back to school is tough. And if you wait until the Sunday night before to start? It's nearly impossible. But getting kids into a routine doesn't have to be so difficult - if you work on building good habits over time, says Dr. Deborah Gatli...

Published on June 22, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley You've probably heard that the U.S. is facing a blood shortage. Earlier this year, the American Red Cross reported that they're experiencing the worst blood shortage in more than a decade. It's happening across the nation and right here in Tennessee. During the past...

Published on June 6, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley If you're looking for a way to celebrate Juneteenth and your first thought is food, you are not alone. In the South, we mark milestones through food and communion, and much of that tradition comes from African-American communities. "People tie a lot of who they ...

Published on May 16, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley Many people have a general understanding of essential nutrients, or substances your body must have to survive. But how many nutrients are truly essential? And which ones are they? WellTuned spoke with Melissa Perry, registered dietitian-nutritionist for BlueCross Blu...

Published on April 4, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley When it comes to alcohol, could you fall into a gray area? "Gray area" drinking isn't a medical diagnosis. But experts say the mild alcohol use disorder can still negatively impact people's lives - often without them knowing it. WellTuned spoke with Tracy ...

Published on April 11, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley Did you know your brain alone uses more than 20% of the calories you consume? It's one reason healthy eating is essential for memory, mood and focus, says Erica Fleming, registered dietitian at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. "When we eat foods that are ric...

Published on March 29, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley Financial stress is a common problem. In any month, 72% of Americans report feeling stressed about money. But at what point are money issues considered "money disorders"? "Money disorders are recurring issues with your finances that negatively affect...

Published on February 15, 2022 written by Ashley Brantley How much do you know about your pharmacy benefits? Half of Americans take prescription drugs, yet few of us know how to make the most of what our insurance offers. "The best way to avoid surprises at the pharmacy is to know what medications your health plan...

BCBST STAFF | Dec 2, 2021 KEY TAKEAWAYS The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust donated $7,500 to the Methodist Healthcare Foundation to help address the significant health disparities Black women in Memphis and Shelby County face. The funds are being used by My Sister's Keeper, a health initiative focuse...

Published on January 24, 2022 written by Ali Whittier, CHES® These days, it's easy to assume if we get sick, it's going to be COVID-19. Yet, we're also susceptible to illness caused by other viruses, bacteria or fungi. And you can also get more than one infection at the same time. This is called co-infection. "...

Published on December 27, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley When it comes to breast cancer, there are many risk factors women can't change: genetic mutations, dense breasts, family history, age. But according to experts, there are also some reasons females living now may be more likely to get breast cancer than prior gen...

Published on December 1, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley It can be tempting to feel guilty about eating habits around the holidays. Often the plan is just survive and get back on track in January. But that's a missed opportunity, says Sarah Provence, registered dietitian-nutritionist for BlueCross BlueShield of Tenness...

Published on November 15, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley Every culture has its food traditions. The ability to explore other cuisines is an exciting part of life, especially in the U.S. where so many cultures come together. But things can get tricky when it comes to nutrition. Take the MyPlate guidelines, which are cr...

Published on November 4, 2021 written by Marie Mosley Last week, the FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11. On Nov. 2, the CDC formally recommendedthe vaccine for everyone ages 5 and older, along with guidelines for its use. The American Academy of Pediatrics al...

Published on October 22, 2021 written by Ali Whittier, CHES® COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the U.S. and have been protecting people from getting sick or experiencing severe symptoms of infection for almost a year now. As of Oct. 23, more than 414 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in ...

Published on October 6, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley If you think you may be experiencing intimate partner violence, get help now at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the site to chat or text. Over a lifetime, more than 25% of women in the U.S. will experience violence by a...

Published on September 27, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley As the COVID-19 Delta variant continues to spread, it's important to look at all the ways the pandemic continues to affect our health. One big way is how we eat. Nutrition, dieting, exercise, body image - all of these things change when our daily lives change. ...

Published on August 31, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley Everyone's heard of superfoods, or food that's nutritionally dense and therefore (super!) good for your health. But when it comes to pregnancy, are there specific foods and drinks women can reach for to stay as healthy as possible? WellTuned spoke with Melissa Per...

Sep 6, 2021 New Multi-year Agreement Restores In-network Access to CHI Memorial CHATTANOOGA, TN - CHI Memorial and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee announced today they have reached a new three-year agreement. The new contract allows BlueCross members with commercial and Medicare Advantage plans to use services at CH...

Published on July 27, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley In Tennessee, buying local is built into our culture. Forty percent of our state is farmland, which means Tennesseans have access to crops and livestock from more than 65,000 farms year round. And, since there are farms all across the state, buying local is typical...

Published on June 25, 2021 written by Andrea Willis, M.D. The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the greatest tragedies of our lifetime - claiming millions of lives around the world, uprooting our daily lives and disrupting our economy. Fortunately, COVID-19 vaccines (some of the most effective vaccines we've ever seen)...

Published on July 20, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley How much can you learn in 12 seconds? According to recent studies, that's how long content has to engage millennials - and that timeframe drops to an even lower 8 seconds for Gen Xers. While ever-shortening attention spans are a good reason to take time to unplug, t...

Published on July 6, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley July is peak summertime in Tennessee. Temperatures are as high as they'll get all year, which makes for very hot days - but also very good eats. By mid-summer, farmers markets and farm stands are overflowing with produce you won't see other times of year. The timing ...

Published on June 4, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley Most Tennesseans know Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery, but beyond that, some of us may need help filling in the picture. Bianca Morton outside the Nashville Food Project "Juneteenth is essentially the Black community's Fourth of July - our Independence ...

BCBST STAFF | Jun 2, 2021 KEY TAKEAWAYS In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that less than 15% of the Hispanic community and less than 10% of the Black community have received at least one vaccination The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation awarded $610,560 in grants toward CO...

AMANDA HASKEW | May 10, 2021 KEY TAKEAWAYS The BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park in Chattanooga is now open. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation invested $5 million in the space, including $4.2 million to build it out and $840,000 in a maintenance fund. The space will be shared by students from Chat...

Published on May 4, 2021 written by Ashley Brantley Plant-based eating is popular these days - with vegans and vegetarians, but also with many others who are looking to improve their health. "People are becoming more conscious of their meat intake," says Reena Panjwani, registered dietitian-nutritionist at Bl...

What's your body's biggest organ? Brain, lungs, liver, kidneys - these are all good guesses, though none are the actual answer. "Skin is an organ in and of itself, and it's the largest one we have," says Dr. Daniel Cusator, a medical director for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. "Your skin is responsib...

How a new model of care improves outcomes while lowering costs KEITH WILLIAMS, M.D. | Apr 1, 2021 Originally published in The Tennessean, March 2021 Recently, I heard a story about a young woman in her 20s that stuck with me. She was experiencing chest pains and had visited an emergency department. The symptoms continu...