Companies that sold fake health plan to uninsured pregnant women to make refunds

Several maternity services companies that sold fraudulent discount health card plans to pregnant women who didn't have insurance agreed to issue refunds, the Texas State Attorney General announced Thursday.

The agreement requires AHCO Direct, LLC, AHCO Contract Servicing, Ltd., Maternity Card, Affordable Healthcare Options, Brian James McDonald and Aaron Christopher Bouren to pay refunds to customers who filed or intend to file a consumer complaint.

The state sued the companies and individuals in 2008 alleging they preyed on pregnant women's fears about prenatal care and delivery costs. The companies promised women that the discount health card would cover up to 60% of their maternity-related costs.