Major police association breaks ties with Thin Blue Line Benefits

NFOP previously partnered with Thin Blue Line Benefits, a health care company accused of unlawfully selling insurance to retired first responders.

PHOENIX — The National Fraternal Order of Police, with more than 370,000 members nationwide, said it no longer works with Thin Blue Line Benefits.

Thin Blue Line is a health care company based in Texas that promised to sell insurance to retired police officers, firefighters, and their families. 

The company paid the NFOP to use its logo as they marketed insurance plans to thousands of retired first responders and family members across the country, according to NFOP General Counsel Larry James. 

“We had a license agreement with TBL. We have terminated that agreement,” James said in an email. 

Thin Blue Line also used local chapters of the FOP and other police organizations to advertise their products. Now, state regulators in Arizona and Ohio allege those products were sold unlawfully. 

“An organization like the Fraternal Order of Police could have, or should have, asked more questions,” said attorney Chris Condeluci, who has decades of experience working on health insurance law and policy. 

“But sometimes organizations… they talk a good game,” Condeluci said. “They explain things in an expert way that lends some credibility, when at the end of the day, they might not be telling the entire truth.” 

“We are working with our members to assist in making sure their claims are honored,” James said of the NFOP. “We are also monitoring the filings by the [Attorney] Generals. We will continue to work on behalf of our members to assist in addressing all claims.”  

Thin Blue Line’s CEO Anna Reed has not returned any requests from the 12News I-Team for comment or to answer questions about her company. However, in a statement posted on the NFOP’s website, the company said it was cooperating with the Ohio investigation. 

In court filings and promotional materials, Thin Blue Line presented itself as an organization founded by first responders for first responders. 

However, some members have had months of difficulty getting medical bills paid. The Ohio Attorney General alleges at least one member has outstanding medical bills topping $270,000. 

In Arizona, the I-Team has spoken to members whose outstanding bills range from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands. 

Some have said their medical bills were turned over to collections agencies. 

“There are assistant-type groups out there that are available to help individuals in a situation like this,” Condeluci said. “But at the end of the day, it’s still a difficult situation, because there is limited legal recourse for getting that claim paid.” 

In Arizona, the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions has ordered Thin Blue Line to process and pay “all outstanding obligations under existing health care benefits contracts until they are canceled.” 

“TBL is responsible for paying any claims arising out of health care benefits contracts it issued to Arizona consumers, but this does not guarantee payment,” the department wrote in an online website. 

The Ohio Attorney General has taken the additional step of asking a judge to appoint the Ohio Department of Insurance as a conservator, which requires the company to turn over its books, accounts, and records of property. 

Arizona insurance regulators have also asked state Attorney General Kris Mayes to open an investigation. 

“We can’t comment on potential investigations,” said AZAG Communications Director Richie Taylor.” “But again, we would urge anyone affected to file a complaint with our office.”  

If you believe that you were a victim of fraud, you may contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Fraud Division at (602) 542-5025 or online. 

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