Suit Claims Discount Health-Care Firm Failed to Deliver

A lawsuit filed by a Northridge couple accuses a discount health-care company of collecting fees but failing to provide promised medical services.

In the suit, filed Aug. 14 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Juan and Manuela Zermeno contend that they expected to receive medical services at a discount when they enrolled in the Care Entree Total Care medical services plan, but that the advertised discounts, savings and services never materialized.

A spokesman for Care Entree of Grand Prairie, Texas, declined to comment on the suit.

Manuela Zermenos contacted two dental offices listed as Care Entree providers to make an appointment, the suit says. One told her it was not participating in any discount program. The other said it did not recognize the Care Entree name.

The couple is suing for $549.50 in monthly membership fees and is asking the court to prohibit the company from operating in California.