A Texas-based insurance company that marketed itself to retired police, firefighters and other first responders left policyholders in “catastrophic financial positions” and, in some instances, unable to get medical care after false advertising and refusing to pay claims, according to a lawsuit filed in Franklin County.
The Ohio Department of Insurance is asking a judge to issue a temporary restraining order preventing Texas-based Thin Blue Line Benefits Association from operating in Ohio, saying the company is not registered or licensed in any way and has stopped paying for medical care while still collecting monthly premiums.
The lawsuit, filed on June 24 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, says that the insurance company portrayed itself as a provider to fill a gap for retired first responders who were not yet 65 and eligible for Medicare, as well as their immediate families.
The insurance company had an “exclusive marketing agreement” with the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, and first responders also shared information about the provider through social media and word of mouth, court records say.
The state says at least 3,400 people registered with the insurance company for the plan year beginning Sept. 1, 2024. The company collected premiums ranging from $778 to $3,005 per month, according to court records.
By November 2024, the company had stopped paying for medical claims, leaving customers on the financial hook for thousands of dollars in bills, according to the suit. Some customers have unpaid claims totaling more than $100,000, according to the state’s filing.
Documents filed with the lawsuit say that the company allowed the use of Cigna and a network of Cigna-affiliated providers. However, the third-party administrator that was used to help facilitate that connection ended its contract with Thin Blue Line in December 2024 after the insurance company failed to meet its obligations or provide payment for claims.
One customer, a retired northeast Ohio firefighter, has more than 40 outstanding claims totaling more than $300,000, according to court records. The customer has been able to receive some necessary medical care without pre-paying for services, including follow-up appointments, according to court records.
Another customer, the spouse of a retired western Ohio police officer, received bills for a major procedure after the insurance company failed to cover the costs. That customer filed a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s office, according to court records, and got claims from before Dec. 1 paid, but no payment for claims after that date.
More than two dozen complaints have been filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s office. According to court records, the AG’s office is investigating the insurance company and its practices.
The lawsuit says that the company lacks licensure with the state as a health insurer and failed to register with the Ohio Secretary of State as a business.
After getting complaints, the Ohio Department of Insurance sent a subpoena to the company seeking information about all claims submitted by customers since Aug. 1, according to court records.
“In response to the subpoena, Thin Blue Line told the Department that it intends to ‘cease offering the three self-insured PPO Plans immediately and to exit the market effective at the end of the 2025 plan year,” the lawsuit says.
However, as of June 24, the company is still advertising online as being affiliated with the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and a valid insurer and continues to collect monthly premiums from customers.
The Dispatch has reached out to Jay McDonald, the president of the Ohio FOP, for comment.
As part of the lawsuit, the Ohio Department of Insurance is asking for a restraining order barring the company from continuing to engage in “unfair and deceptive acts and practices.” No date has been set for a hearing on the restraining order request.
Efforts to reach out to a customer service representative specifically identified in court records, as well as the company directly, were unsuccessful. An email listed on the company’s website for reaching out to request information is disabled, and a phone call to the listed number directed The Dispatch to a call center where an employee was unable to provide any contact information for the office or anyone in leadership.
What should I do if I have insurance with Thin Blue Line?
The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund published information on its website in May, telling members who have plans with Thin Blue Line Benefits not to change plans or drop coverage without receiving clearance for a special enrollment period.
Complaints can also be filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s office or online with the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio sues Texas insurance company over unpaid claims to retired police, firefighters
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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