A majority of respondents to an online survey conducted by Consumer Action said that they prefer to receive all types of bills by mail—even if they’ve opted to pay the bills online. For medical, utilities, insurance, property tax, mortgage, and credit card notifications, 45 to 74 percent (depending on the account category) said they choose paper over electronic communications.[1]
And even with brands leveraging digital marketing and mobile apps, 73 percent of U.S. consumers still prefer to receive direct print mail. Why? because they can read it whenever they want.[2}
As you can see, direct mail is still relevant, especially when it’s personalized through variable data printing.
Variable data printing (VDP) is a digital printing technique used to personalize print communications. VDP allows for various page elements, such as text and graphics, to be different on each piece of a print run.
Variable data printing can involve something as simple as changing the greeting or name on each copy of a print piece (akin to a mail merge). Or it may be more complex, involving the customization of other text and graphic elements, according to customer information, address, or other data. For example, at Preferred Direct, our variable data detailer allows us to add custom messages, coupons, maps, and other elements to invoices, letters, notices, and more.
The ability to tailor print messaging to individual recipients has become essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and generating revenue. Customers expect brands and organizations to send personalized communications. And personalized communications mean that customers receive relevant content that drives them to action (e.g., pay a bill, purchase a product, or do something else that the sender desires).
Variable data technology has become essential for many different applications—such as statement generation, collection letters, and more—in a wide array of industries. Examples include:
Financial
● Account statements from banks and credit unions
● Investment portfolios
● Credit card statements
Healthcare
● Medical bills
● Medical EOBs (Explanation of Benefits)
● Patient appointment reminders
● Collections letters
Insurance
● Invoices for premiums
● Policy updates
● Insurance EOB Statements
Municipal and Energy
● Invoices for gas, water, sewer, electric, trash
● Collections letters
● Special Notices
Communications
● Cable TV invoices
● The phone company and wireless provider invoices
● Collection letters
Sales and Marketing
● Targeted direct mail marketing campaigns
● Sales letters
Nonprofit Organizations
● Fundraising campaign letters
● Event invitations
Colleges and Universities
● Financial aid statements
● Admissions letters
● Invoices
Retail
The above examples are just a sampling of the many types of direct mail print communications that leverage variable data to make them more effective.
When choosing a direct mail printing services provider for your organization’s communications, there’s much to consider. Not all printing resources have the expertise or equipment to handle the demands of variable data printing. Using variable data is one of the reasons Why Direct Mail Is Still Relevant.
Below are some key characteristics to look for:
● Ability to handle a wide array of variable data printing applications
● Flexibility in how they can receive your data
● Experience with variable data printing applications in your industry
● Compliance with HITRUST and HIPAA
● Advanced printing technology to ensure the utmost accuracy and print quality
● Services beyond printing
Your needs may evolve over time, so look for a direct mail print partner that has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to handle all types of variable data printing applications.
No matter what your organization requires, at Preferred Direct, we are equipped with the expertise and technology in-house to create all varieties of personalized print pieces.
Find out if the commercial printer you’re considering will allow you to send your information your way.
When you work with us, we will accept your information via a secure FTP (file transfer protocol). We aim to make the process convenient for you.
Every industry has unique concerns and nuances to address. Therefore, industry experience matters when selecting a print partner for your variable data, direct mail projects.
Preferred Direct has vast experience and a proven success record in many different industries, including those that must meet strict privacy and security requirements.
● Healthcare providers
● Insurance companies
● Financial services providers
● Colleges and Universities
● Businesses and Retail
● Nonprofit organizations
Preferred Direct is HITRUST CSF certified. We approach every project with the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), the most widely adopted security framework in the U.S. healthcare industry, in mind. Following HITRUST CSF standards means we handle our customers’ data in a way that meets regulatory compliance requirements and reduces risk. [DM1]
We also adhere to the latest HIPAA regulations for protecting sensitive patient data. We apply the necessary security measures so that organizations have compliance with peace of mind.
Technology changes at a rapid pace. To ensure you get the best quality outcomes and efficient pricing from direct mail production runs, make sure your commercial printer has the latest equipment and software.
Preferred Direct has cutting-edge digital printing technology. Our HP T240 HD and Xerox® Impika®, presses deliver optimal production speed and cost-effectiveness for continuous feed inkjet printing. We specialize in accurate, high-speed lasering and ink-jetting, with the flexibility to communicate custom, personalized messages, thanks to our state-of-the-art equipment, software applications, and skilled team. This is Why Direct Mail Is Still Effective.
● Match mail
● Fold
● Perforate
● Insert
● Postal discounts
● Deliver mailings to the post office
● Manage inventory
We also offer expert design services to give your direct mail the visual appeal needed to attract your recipients’ attention and engage their interest.
Why Direct Mail Is Still Relevant? In summary, direct mail—particularly, personalized direct mail—remains an essential tool for building customer loyalty and improving bottom-line results. Keep in mind that working with variable data requires making privacy and data security a priority. Therefore, it’s critical to work with a commercial printing company you can trust to uphold the highest standards of quality and protect customer data. Fortunately, you don’t have to look further for a reliable partner for your personalized direct mail solutions. Preferred Direct has all of the experience and capabilities necessary to handle all of your direct mail and variable data printing needs. Contact us to discuss your next project!
The top 5 advantages of Outsourcing Medical Billing are shown below.
What exactly is Medical Billing
If you don’t send patients their bills in a timely manner, your account receivables will suffer and your collection rates will be very low. It may be time to outsource your medical billing.
Should medical billing be done in-house or outsourced to a direct billing company? There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Outsourcing medical billing comes with many advantages. Medical organizations and businesses need cost-effective and efficient ways to collect their hard-earned revenue. Businesses can either outsource medical billing or hire qualified employees to do it in-house.
1. Outsourcing Medical Billing Can Save a Company Money.
When medical billing is outsourced, a company saves money on monthly salaries and benefits for those who would do in-house billing. Flat rates charged by billing companies are generally less than what it would cost to staff an employee to do the same job. Companies who outsource also do not have to purchase or maintain medical billing software and computer equipment.
2. Outsourcing Medical Billing Helps a Company Collect More Money and Improves Cash Flow.
Medical billing can be slowed and lost in the shuffle of running a business, but billing companies keep billing moving in an efficient way to get money to the medical organization faster. Ultimately, the timely submission of bills increases the influx of cash.
3. Billing Professionals Are Less Likely to Make Errors.
Because billing companies have the sole purpose of getting billing correct, they are less likely to make errors. Billing companies are equipped with the knowledge and equipment to ensure that claims and bills are submitted in a thorough, speedy process. This reduces the amount of denied or rejected claims.
4. Companies/Organizations Can Focus More on Their Patients Leading to Higher Customer Satisfaction.
Especially for small medical businesses who cannot hire people to specifically do billing, using front office staff to split their time and efforts between medical billing and other duties can detract from other areas of their job. Outsourcing medical billing improves the office staff’s productivity and can ultimately lead to better customer satisfaction.
5. Adding Advertising Messages to Your Bills Can Encourage Patients to Return and Increase Revenue.
When advertising messages are added to bills, using variable data, it is called transpromo marketing. Transpromo marketing is effective because unlike junk mail, people open bills and read them. Medical businesses and organizations can advertise events, vaccines, reminders for preventative treatments or any other relevant messages on bills. Is it flu season? A practice may want to promote coming in for flu shots. Is there a health fair? Advertising on a bill is a good way to get existing customers to be in the knowhow and return to the business.
Whether a company should outsource medical billing or not depends on multiple factors. Businesses should look at the number of employees, finances, the age of the business and the local labor market. Outsourcing medical billing can save medical businesses and organizations time and money, giving the organization the ability to focus on primary tasks.
Preferred Direct provides direct billing including medical billing services. At Preferred Direct, a project manager works with you to guarantee fast, efficient, accurate and confidential processing of information for direct billing. From medical billing services, statement generation, e-billing and transpromo marketing, a company’s direct billing is completed in a timely and professional manner.
Preferred Direct provides high-quality, high-quantity, fast and personalized direct marketing services including: printing services, fulfillment services, fundraising services, direct mail marketing, direct billing and emergency on demand printing services. From design to finishing and mailing, Preferred Direct takes care to make sure they deliver high-quality products that can help increase your company’s ROI.
Sources: medicaloffice.about.com, poweryourpractice.com, itservicereviews.com
Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net by PANPOTE (bill with glasses) and Stuart Miles (cash flow)
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