Ohio Director Shuts Down Reported Fourth Illegal Health Plan

Ohio Insurance Director Ann Womer Benjamin has issued a cease and desist order against unlicensed TRG Marketing, LLC, also known as TRG Administration or TRG Health Plan, requiring it to immediately stop engaging in insurance activities.

Womer Benjamin also issued a cease and desist order and notice of the Department’s intent to revoke the agent license against Ohio insurance agents Sheri L. Condon, formerly known as Sheri L. Collins of Greenville, and Duane Shinaberry of Mt. Gilead, requiring them to stop selling TRG products. Condon and Shinaberry also face possible disciplinary action for their alleged solicitation and sale of unlicensed insurance products.

This is the fourth alleged health insurance scam against which the Department’s Illegal Health Insurance Operations (IHIO) Task Force has taken action. The IHIO Task Force is currently investigating several additional illegal health plans that may be operating in the state.

“These so-called health plans are trying to take advantage of tight economic times when their ‘too-good-to-be-true’ premiums are attractive,” Womer Benjamin said. “I applaud the continued efforts of the Department’s task force to identify these illegal health plans and shut them down. Protecting Ohio consumers from these deceptive and manipulative organizations and agents is one of our top priorities.”

Indiana-based TRG Marketing is accused of collecting more than $10,000 in premiums from three Ohio individuals and failing to pay nearly $22,000 in medical bills incurred by the individuals. The company has reportedly never been authorized to transact business in Ohio as a health insurance company or as a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA).

“Consumers are victimized twice – once when they pay for the phantom health insurance and a second time when they get stuck with unpaid medical expenses,” Womer Benjamin added.