Aug 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission

reached a $100 million settlement with Prudential Financial ( PRU )

to resolve claims a former unit misled consumers into

buying healthcare plans that did not provide the coverage it

promised.

A settlement with Assurance IQ, which Prudential decided to

shut down last year, was filed on Wednesday in Seattle federal

court. Assurance did not admit or deny wrongdoing.

The FTC accused Assurance of targeting consumers in need of

low-cost insurance coverage, both online and in telemarketing

calls, with representations that its healthcare plans provided

comprehensive coverage and essential health benefits of the sort

provided under the Affordable Care Act.