Ohio sues Texas insurer over retired police, firefighter coverage

• Thin Blue Line Benefits Association, an insurance company targeting retired first responders, is accused of fraudulent practices in Ohio.
• The company allegedly collected premiums while failing to pay medical claims, leaving some customers with over $100,000 in debt.
• The Ohio Department of Insurance is seeking a restraining order against the company and is investigating alongside the Attorney General’s office.
• Despite claiming to cease operations, Thin Blue Line continues to advertise and collect premiums.

A Texas-based insurance company that marketed itself to retired police, firefighters and other first responders has 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, contends 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.

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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 state.

The state Department of Insurance 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, Thin Blue Line Benefits had stopped paying for medical claims, leaving customers on the financial hook for thousands of dollars in bills, according to the lawsuit. 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, Attorney General Dave Yost’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 insurance 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 states. 

However, as of June 24, the company is still advertising online as being a valid insurer affiliated with the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and continues to collect monthly premiums from customers. 

In a statement, Jay McDonald, president of the Ohio FOP, said the union first began working with the insurance company in 2023. Complaints first started being made in late 2024, he said.

“After many months of trying to resolve these problems, we terminated our relationship with the company on May 5 of this year. We’re glad the Attorney General brought this lawsuit, and we look forward to having this issue resolved so our members get what they paid for and have their medical claims covered,” McDonald said.

The state FOP is also working with the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund to make sure members can switch their coverages without incurring a penalty.

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 by The Dispatch 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 requesting 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.

This story has been updated to add a comment from Jay McDonald.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.