On January 23, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) successfully sought a temporary halt to the operations of several companies and individuals accused of misleading marketing practices in the health care sector. A U.S. district court in Florida responded to the FTC’s request, stopping a telemarketing scheme that allegedly caused consumers to incur tens of millions of dollars in losses.
The FTC’s complaint points to the Top Healthcare Options Insurance Agency, Inc. and eleven associated defendants as orchestrating a deceptive operation targeting individuals searching for comprehensive health insurance online. According to the agency, these companies misrepresent the health plans they sell, which do not deliver the promised coverage and leave buyers vulnerable to significant medical expenses.
“Health insurance is one of the most important and costly purchases consumers buy for themselves and their families,” stated Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. He emphasized the critical need for consumers to have access to accurate information, especially as health care affordability continues to influence purchasing decisions.
The FTC alleges that the defendants mislead consumers into providing personal information on websites that falsely appear to offer comprehensive health insurance. These sites promote plans labeled as “Affordable Care Act Plans,” “Obama Care Health Insurance Carriers,” and “2024 Obama Care Plans.” However, the FTC claims these websites primarily serve as lead generators, collecting consumer data and subsequently selling it to the defendants or their telemarketing vendors.
Upon contacting consumers, the defendants reportedly divert attention from genuine comprehensive health insurance options, steering them towards plans that offer substantially less coverage. This results in potential buyers facing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs.
The complaint outlines specific allegations against the defendants, including falsely presenting limited benefit plans and medical discount memberships as equivalent to comprehensive health insurance. It also claims they misrepresent the nature of their plans, suggesting they are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, which provide significant coverage for specific medical needs, and falsely asserting that consumers would only be responsible for minimal costs through copays or deductibles.
According to an attorney from the FTC’s Consumer and Business Education Division, the complaint asserts that the defendants have violated the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule and the FTC Act. The agency is seeking refunds for affected consumers as well as additional remedies. To date, the court has issued a temporary restraining order against the defendants in response to these allegations.
As the case progresses, the FTC’s actions highlight the ongoing need for vigilance in the health insurance market, where misleading practices can have dire consequences for consumers.
