The Blasena Group touts side-by-side health plan shopping ahead of open enrollment

The Fort Myers-based independent agency is urging Southwest Florida residents to compare ACA marketplace and private health plans before open enrollment. The Blasena Group says its brokers help families, self-employed workers and small businesses weigh premiums, deductibles, networks and subsidy eligibility across multiple carriers.

Why it matters: - Open enrollment is when many Southwest Florida residents choose coverage for the year ahead. - Health plan costs are shaped by more than the monthly premium, including deductibles, doctor networks, household income and subsidy eligibility. - The Blasena Group is positioning side-by-side plan comparisons as a way to help consumers avoid choosing coverage that looks cheaper upfront but costs more later.

What happened: - The Blasena Group, an independent health insurance agency in Fort Myers, is encouraging residents to compare coverage options before selecting a plan. - The agency works as a broker across multiple carriers instead of selling for a single insurer. - The agency compares ACA marketplace plans and private plans for families, self-employed workers, small businesses and people whose jobs require frequent travel. - The agency says quotes are free and come with no obligation to enroll.

The details: - The Blasena Group starts with basic information such as age, ZIP code, household size and a rough income estimate. - Licensed agents then walk clients through a real comparison of available plans. - The agency compares subsidy-eligible ACA plans and private plans before recommending either option. - Each client works with one licensed agent from the first quote through renewal. - The agency says its HOPE principle stands for Helping Other People Every day. - That approach includes telling a client when an existing plan is the best fit, even if the agency does not make a sale. - The agency also helps consumers review private health insurance plans sold outside the government marketplace. - Private non-ACA plans are not required to include every essential health benefit mandated by the ACA, so plan details matter. - The agency checks ACA eligibility first, then reviews private options, including coverage gaps and underwriting requirements. - Before enrolling in a non-ACA plan, the agency advises consumers to ask whether the plan covers pre-existing conditions, what it excludes and whether it is major medical or short-term coverage. - Founded in 2018 by President Todd Blasena, the agency serves people whose coverage does not come through a traditional employer. - Clients include self-employed and 1099 workers, freelancers, gig workers, realtors, traveling nurses and truck drivers. - The agency also works with individuals, families and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. - Blasena has worked in health insurance since 2013 and is licensed to write business in 31 states. - The agency says its team includes roughly 50 licensed agents. - The agency also offers dental, vision and critical illness insurance. - The office is at 1591 Hayley Lane, Suite 201, in Fort Myers. - The agency serves clients in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. - The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Existing clients can reach the team around the clock for urgent claims issues. - The agency's website includes plain-language FAQs on open enrollment, self-employed coverage, small business plans and related topics. - Residents can request a free quote at the agency's website or call (239) 931-3775.

Between the lines: - The agency is leaning on education and comparison shopping rather than a single-product pitch. - The focus on ACA versus private coverage suggests many consumers still need help understanding tradeoffs in cost, benefits and protections. - The emphasis on portable coverage reflects the needs of workers whose income or location changes from contract to contract.

What's next: - Residents will continue shopping for coverage as fall open enrollment approaches. - The agency is steering prospects to use its website FAQs and free quote process before committing to a plan. - Consumers choosing non-ACA coverage are being pushed to scrutinize exclusions and coverage limits before enrolling.

The bottom line: - The Blasena Group is betting that clear comparisons, not sales pressure, will win over Southwest Florida health insurance shoppers during open enrollment.