Nashville-based nTelagent Inc. has raised $1.7 million that will be used to market its Self-Pay Management System.

The SPMS is related to way providers interact with patients at the point of service regarding financial responsibilities. The program helps health care providers to determine a patient's payment responsibility and ability to pay before care is delivered.

Similar to applications used in the retail industry at the point of sale, the company's proprietary, automated system tells health care registrars and financial counselors exactly what to do and what to say to each patient.

nTelagent's investors include Burch Investment Group, a private venture capital firm located in Nashville formerly known as Massey Burch Investment Group. Marty Rash, former Founder, Chairman and CEO of Province Healthcare Company, was an early investor in the company. The late Chris Hannon, former CFO of Province, was also a key investor and instrumental in the development of the solution and direction of nTelagent.

"With this new round of funding, we can further expand our presence in the industry by implementing SPMS for nTelagent's growing base of new customers and by significantly increasing awareness of our product through heightened sales and marketing activities," says Earl T. Winter, Chairman and CEO of nTelagent.