Chris Assefa (photo), the owner and insurance broker for Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, says that although she is licensed by the State of Florida (as well as Georgia and New York) to sell health and life insurance and variable annuities, she believes her primary function is education.
“Health insurance, especially when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid, is incredibly complicated for most people,” Chris says. “At Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, we always say that asking questions is free, so ask away! We want to make sure you understand what your options are and which plan or policy will work best for you and your family.”
Bleu Sky’s is an independent insurance agency, so Chris and her team of professionals have access to a wide variety of companies and policies and they can help you figure out how best to take care of your needs.
Chris is a specialist when it comes to Medicare — the lower-cost health insurance for those ages 65 and older and for those with disabilities. The former Wesley Chapel resident says that even though the Open Enrollment period to choose a Medicare plan for 2025 ended in December and the policies became effective in January, “there are still things you can do now that you might not know about.”
For example, if you decide after Jan. 1 that you’re not happy with your Medicare Advantage plan, there is a special Open Enrollment Period — that just closed for this year (on March 31) — for Medicare Advantage plan holders only.
“Obviously, the average person is either unsure or not even aware about a lot of this,” Chris says. “That’s why you need an expert in the field, like my company, to help guide you.”
She also says there are some new laws on the books for 2025 that Bleu Sky’s insurance professionals can help you understand.
“For 2025, an individual’s out-of-pocket expense for prescription drugs on their Medicare carrier’s formulary is capped at $2,000,” Chris says. “In addition, people who are dual-eligible (for both Medicare and Medicaid; the latter is the joint federal and state program which helps cover medical expenses for people with limited income and resources) are dealing with some changes as to how they can change their plans.”
She adds that there are different levels of dual eligibility, and that those different levels are affected by this year’s new rules.
“I know this can be confusing,” Chris says. “I really hope that if you have any questions about Medicare, Medicaid or the Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as the Affordable Care Act or ‘Obamacare’), we’ll be the company you’ll think to call.”
To reach Chris Assefa of Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, call (813) 360-1884, visit BleuSkysInsurance.com or see the ad below. — GN
