About 80-90% of print and mail costs are pretty much fixed. (Paper, ink, and postage.) This still leaves enough room for prices to vary pretty significantly between one vendor and the next.

However, if you’re in the healthcare or debt collection industries, finding a vendor who will quote you the lowest price per mailing is a bad idea. You’re not sending out marketing brochures or sales catalogs. Your statements or dunning letters must be 100% compliant, your data stored securely, and you can’t afford a mismailing.

Any mailings that contain personal information should be sent out by a vendor equipped to handle and send sensitive, personal information. However, statements that contain personal health information fall under HIPAA regulations.

HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects data and personal information found in medical records. It’s important that any letter vendor sending documents covered under this federal law protect that data and have transparent processes in place to ensure the highest level of mailing accuracy.

Because of this, your search for a print and mail partner should start and end with companies who have extensive healthcare experience. Ideally, the vendor you choose should be HIPAA HITRUST Certified.

One of the most powerful things a statement provider can embrace today is consumerization. Let the consumer decide how they want to pay their bills. Options include payment portals, QR codes, text, email, phone call or mail. Today’s reputable billing statement providers also take data security to a whole new level. Make sure you know whether they are PCI and HIPAA compliant.