A Grand Junction-based collection agency has announced plans to further expand beyond the health care market.

A-1 Collection Agency, a subsidiary of Healthcare Management, provides services not only to hospitals and other health care providers, but also government agencies and small and medium businesses.

“A-1 puts people first and is sensitive to community relationships,” said Angelina Salazar, chief executive officer of Healthcare Management. “Our trained financial counselors consider the fact that in smaller communities, everyone knows each other and collecting on debt is not a conversation a business leader wants to have with their customer in the grocery store or at a local sporting event. A-1 takes care of those customers by putting them on payment plans so businesses can provide their services to their community without additional worry.”

Twelve rural hospitals purchased A-1 Collection Agency 30 years ago and subsequently formed Healthcare Management. Now owned by 21 healthcare providers, Healthcare Management provides billing and collection services for hospitals, health care systems, physician groups and skilled nursing facilities.

For additional information about A-1 Collection Agency, call 986-3594 or visit www.a1collection.com.