
If you're a medical practice looking for a reliable and secure way to send patient information, you're in the right place. HIPAA compliant mailing services are a must for protecting sensitive patient data.
HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, requires that medical practices take extra precautions when mailing patient information. This includes using secure and tamper-evident envelopes to prevent unauthorized access.
For example, a HIPAA compliant mailing service might use envelopes with a special seal that's difficult to open without leaving evidence of tampering. This helps ensure that patient information remains confidential.
Some medical practices may not realize that even regular mail can be a security risk. In fact, a study found that 70% of medical practices reported experiencing a data breach due to mail loss or theft.
What Is HIPAA?
HIPAA is a law that protects individuals' health information and establishes rules to safeguard that information.
HIPAA contains provisions related to privacy, security, and accessibility, all designed to prevent unauthorized sharing of individually identifiable health information.
HIPAA's rules aim to ensure that health information is kept confidential and only shared with those who have a legitimate need to see it.
In essence, HIPAA is a safeguard that helps maintain the trust between healthcare providers and their patients.
HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA compliance is crucial for any organization that handles protected health information (PHI). Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, PHI is any information that can be linked to an individual through demographic data like name, address, patient account number, or anything else that makes it possible to determine to whom any information belongs.
To maintain HIPAA compliance, organizations must put in place several types of safeguards, including administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. Administrative safeguards manage security measures, including risk assessment, workplace training, and information access management. Physical safeguards include facility access control as well as workstation and device security.
Organizations must also establish a comprehensive security risk management process in compliance with the HIPAA Security Regulations. This includes preventing, detecting, containing, and rectifying security violations, ensuring the protection of PHI.
Here are some key HIPAA compliance guidelines to consider:
- Ask for patient consent before sending PHI over email.
- Establish authorized users for accessing PHI.
- Use email encryption to protect PHI.
- Implement a comprehensive security risk management process.
- Regularly update security protocols to prevent security breaches.
What is PHI?
Protected health information (PHI) is any information that can be linked to an individual through demographic data like name, address, patient account number, or anything else that makes it possible to determine to whom any information belongs.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects all individually identifiable health information, which is the same as protected health information (PHI). This means that any information that can be used to identify a person is covered.
HIPAA includes comprehensive protections for health information, and the Privacy Rule is the first component of HIPAA that protects individuals' medical records from being released to, accessed by, or used by non-covered entities. It covers all types of communication—electronic, paper, and oral.
Using HIPAA-compliant email ensures that you've taken one of the most important steps in preventing sensitive information from being accessed by anyone without authorization, but that's a topic for another section.
HIPAA Compliance Details
PostGrid continuously strives to maintain data security procedures to handle PHI safely and legally from various organizations. It enforces the highest data protection standards and confidentiality, making it a reliable choice for HIPAA compliance.
To ensure HIPAA compliance, PostGrid has undergone rigorous processes and training, guaranteeing the safety of your data. You can use their print and mail services with complete peace of mind, knowing that your PHI is protected.

The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to put in place administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect e-PHI. This includes managing security measures, controlling facility access, and implementing information integrity and transmission security.
For email communications, it's essential to ask for patient consent before sending protected health information (PHI). You should also establish authorized users for who can access PHI through email and use email encryption to protect sensitive information.
PostGrid's HIPAA-compliant mailing system facilitates a smooth transition from electronic documents in your EMR to secure, same or next-day mailing. This eliminates the need for printers, stamps, scheduled pickups, or visits to the Post Office.
Here are the three key rules for HIPAA compliance:
- Administrative safeguards manage security measures, including risk assessment, workplace training, and information access management.
- Physical safeguards include facility access control as well as workstation and device security.
- Technical safeguards include information integrity and transmission security.
By following these guidelines and using a HIPAA-compliant email provider like PostGrid, you can ensure that your email communications are secure and compliant with HIPAA regulations.
HIPAA Compliant Mailing Services
HIPAA compliant mailing services are a must for healthcare providers and organizations that handle protected health information (PHI). HIPAA sets various privacy regulations for individuals' personal information and medical data, and all industries and businesses making use of PHI come under its provisions.

PostGrid is a reliable option for HIPAA compliant mailing services. They continuously strive to maintain all data security procedures that help them deal with PHI obtained safely and legally from various organizations. Their rigorous processes and training ensure that your data is safe with them.
You can use PostGrid to print and mail patients' medical reports and healthcare documents, reducing the time and effort required to do so. Whether you are a small dental clinic or a big healthcare institution, PostGrid's HIPAA-compliant solution can help you draft, organize, print, and mail your documents efficiently and without any data breach worries.
Some examples of healthcare documents that can be printed and mailed with PostGrid are test reports, medical invoices or bills, medical receipts, EOB (Explanation of Benefits), EOC (Explanation of Coverage), patient notices and letters, and medical statements.
PostGrid lets you use the most hassle-free method for sending physical mail online, maintaining meticulous records of all outgoing mail, complete with customer references at the time of order placement. Their HIPAA-compliant mailing system facilitates a smooth transition from electronic documents in your EMR to secure, same or next-day mailing.
Here are some benefits of using PostGrid's HIPAA compliant mailing services:

• Reduces the time and effort required to print and mail patients' medical reports and healthcare documents
• Cuts down costs, accelerates marketing, and keeps the revenue cycle running
• Helps you draft, organize, print, and mail your documents efficiently and without any data breach worries
• Improves patient experience and processes patient billing securely
Benefits of Outsourcing
Outsourcing your HIPAA compliant mailing services can be a game-changer for your healthcare business.
You can reduce the time and effort required to print and mail patients' medical reports and healthcare documents by outsourcing to a HIPAA-compliant provider.
With the right partner, you can cut down costs and accelerate marketing, keeping the revenue cycle running smoothly.
Outsourcing also allows you to improve your patient experience and process patient billing securely.
Here are some of the benefits of outsourcing your HIPAA compliant mailing services:
By outsourcing your HIPAA compliant mailing services, you can enjoy fast turnaround solutions at competitive rates, thanks to the provider's cutting-edge technology and extensive experience.
Choosing a Provider

Choosing a provider can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Consider solutions that scale seamlessly as your organization grows, such as the ones that offer a range of pricing structures to find a cost-effective option.
When evaluating a provider, think about your budget and technical expertise. Opt for a user-friendly platform that aligns with your IT team's capabilities. This will make it easier to set up and use the service.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a provider:
By considering these factors, you can find a provider that meets your needs and helps you achieve HIPAA compliance.
Choosing a Provider
Choosing a provider for your HIPAA-compliant email needs can be overwhelming, but there are key factors to consider.
First, think about the number of users you'll need to support. Look for solutions that scale seamlessly as your organization grows, like a user-friendly platform that aligns with your IT team's capabilities.

Consider your budget, too. Explore a range of pricing structures to find a cost-effective option that meets your needs.
When evaluating providers, think about the features that are most crucial for your workflows. Do you need secure file transfer, mobile access, or audit trails?
You may also want to consider the level of technical expertise required to set up and use the platform. Opt for a provider that offers a user-friendly interface and support resources.
Here are some top HIPAA-compliant email providers to consider:
- Virtru
- Paubox
- NeoCertified
- HIPAA Vault
- Aspida
- Protected Trust
- MailHippo
- LuxSci
- Hushmail
Remember, the ideal provider will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Take the time to research and compare different options to find the best fit for your organization.
Customer Support
Good customer support is essential for any business, especially when sending encrypted emails. You need to be able to address questions or concerns quickly.
Having 24/7 customer support services can be a huge advantage. This is especially true for encrypted email services, where security is paramount.

Your provider should notify you in the event of a security problem with your messages or their mail servers. This ensures you can take swift action to protect your customers' data.
Identillect, for example, has 24/7 customer support services, which is reassuring for businesses that rely on their encrypted email services.
Top Providers
If you're looking for top providers of HIPAA-compliant mailing services, there are several options to consider.
Some of the top HIPAA-compliant email providers include Virtru, Paubox, NeoCertified, HIPAA Vault, Aspida, Protected Trust, MailHippo, LuxSci, and Hushmail.
These providers employ AI technologies to help companies within the healthcare space secure patient emails and prevent HIPAA breaches.
They offer a range of features such as automated spam blocking, virus checking, email access auditing, and end-to-end email encryption solutions.
Dedicated HIPAA-compliant email providers are the easiest choice to protect client communication, allowing practitioners to message clients and securely send PHI to medical billers, insurers, and other practitioners.

Hushmail has kept its pricing simple, making it a popular choice for small healthcare practices.
Here are some of the top dedicated HIPAA-compliant email providers:
Compliance Guidelines
HIPAA sets various privacy regulations for individuals' personal information and medical data.
To maintain HIPAA compliance, direct mail service providers must follow the law and undergo certain audits to get themselves HIPAA certified.
They must go through rigorous processes and training to ensure the safe handling of PHI, and maintain meticulous records of all outgoing mail.
Here are some key compliance guidelines to consider:
- Store and maintain PHI securely and confidentially.
- Ensure that all employees handling PHI are trained on data protection and confidentiality.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all PHI transactions.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your direct mail service provider is HIPAA compliant and your patients' medical information is protected.
Direct Mail Guidelines
Direct mail service providers have to follow HIPAA guidelines, which set various privacy regulations for individuals' personal information and medical data. This includes companies in the healthcare sector, but also affects all other industries and businesses that use PHI in any way.
HIPAA-compliant direct mail involves using patients' medical information for mailing purposes, but storing and maintaining that information is still a responsibility of the direct mail service providers. This is why all businesses in the direct mail industry must follow HIPAA laws and provisions.
Direct mail service providers must go through certain audits and get themselves HIPAA certified. This ensures that they can handle sensitive medical information securely.
PostGrid, a direct mail service provider, has enforced the highest data protection standards and confidentiality. They continuously strive to maintain all the data security procedures that help them deal with PHI obtained safely and legally from various organizations.
Here are some examples of healthcare documents that can be printed and mailed with PostGrid:
- Test reports
- Medical Invoices or Bills
- Medical Receipts
- EOB (Explanation of Benefits)
- EOC (Explanation of Coverage)
- Patient notices and letters
- Medical statements
Compliance Guidelines
HIPAA compliance is a must for businesses dealing with protected health information (PHI). All industries and businesses making use of PHI come under the provisions of HIPAA, not just companies in the healthcare sector.
To maintain HIPAA compliance, direct mail service providers must follow certain regulations. They must store and maintain medical documents of thousands of patients, making them business associates under the law. This requires them to go through audits and get themselves HIPAA certified.
Businesses in the direct mail industry should compulsorily follow HIPAA laws and provisions. They must deal with the medical documents of thousands of patients, making them business associates under the law.
Direct mail service providers like PostGrid have enforced the highest data protection standards and confidentiality. They continuously strive to maintain all the data security procedures that help them deal with PHI obtained safely and legally from various organizations.
To maintain HIPAA-compliant email communications, consider the following unofficial guidelines:
- Deal with the medical documents of thousands of patients, making them business associates under the law.
- Go through audits and get yourself HIPAA certified.
- Enforce the highest data protection standards and confidentiality.
- Continuously strive to maintain all the data security procedures that help you deal with PHI obtained safely and legally from various organizations.
Providers for Small Practices
For small practices, HIPAA-compliant mailing services can be a game-changer. Dedicated HIPAA-compliant email providers are the easiest choice to protect client communication.
Hushmail is a purpose-built HIPAA-compliant email provider for healthcare practitioners. It's the most affordable option for practitioners who want a HIPAA-compliant email provider but don't want to pay for add-ons and piece together various tools to keep customer emails secure.

The all-in-one solution has features like encrypted email and secure forms built for healthcare practitioners. Plans start at $11.99/mo for solo practitioners, making it one of the most affordable options on the list.
Here are some key features of Hushmail:
- It’s not a DIY solution. Hushmail is an all-in-one platform to secure client communication completely
- It's built for healthcare—fully HIPAA-compliant with BAA, encryption, and email archive
- Additional features, such as healthcare form templates that protect from the first time a client makes contact
- Practices can send files securely to external organizations, such as insurers and billers
If you're looking for a simple and affordable solution, Hushmail is definitely worth considering.
Security and Data Protection
We take security seriously, especially when it comes to protected health information (PHI). Our automated mailing system provides a comprehensive audit trail of messages, accessible only to authorized personnel.
Our print and mail platform and API are compliant with HIPAA standards, ensuring private information remains secure. This includes password-protected systems that grant users and operators the appropriate rights and restrictions for each message.
We follow a robust security risk management process in compliance with HIPAA Security Regulations. This includes preventing, detecting, containing, and rectifying security violations to protect PHI.
Our policies and procedures undergo annual audits to maintain compliance with HIPAA rules and regulations. We also implement continuous improvements to follow the latest security protocols.
To safeguard confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI, we offer secure data archival options with restricted access to authorized personnel. Documents containing personalized or sensitive customer data are secure using PCI-compliant document destruction equipment.
The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to put in place several types of safeguards, including:
- Administrative safeguards for security measures, such as risk assessment and information access management.
- Physical safeguards for facility access control and workstation security.
- Technical safeguards for information integrity and transmission security.
To stay secure, it's essential to keep security updated. This includes reading information from your HIPAA-compliant email service, installing security updates promptly, and monitoring unusual activity in your email account.
By using a HIPAA-compliant email platform, you can protect both your organization and patients' health information. This includes features like AES-256 bit encryption, two-factor authentication, and end-to-end encryption to ensure data privacy and security.
Our HIPAA-compliant mailing practices guarantee the utmost security for every mailing piece, and our team is continuously aware of HIPAA-compliant mailing regulations.
Compare
If you're looking for a HIPAA compliant mailing service, you've got plenty of options to choose from.
Barracuda offers threat protection scanning, archiving, automatic encryption, and Denial of Service Attack prevention, all starting at $4.73/user/month with a minimum of 10 users.
Egress provides multi-factor authentication, secure large file sharing, and Automated DataLoss Protection (DLP), with costs varying based on company size, averaging $100/user/year ($8.30 monthly).
Hushmail has archiving, unlimited email aliases, and email record management for audits, but only offers a free trial for personal use users, not those needing a HIPAA compliant solution.
Identillect offers optional business admin accounts for implementing security controls, automatic encryption, eSigning, and recipient multi-factor authentication, all for $5.95-10/user/month.
LuxSci provides automatic timeout, business admin controls, and secure productivity tools, with costs starting at $10/month for up to 50 users and 50GB storage.
MailHippo offers help with branding, large file upload, message recall, and message expiration, with costs starting at $4.95/month for 5,000 messages and 5GB storage.
Here's a quick comparison of the services:
Protected Trust offers 10 minute setup, works with EMR systems, mobile apps, multi-factor authentication for both users and email recipients, email expiration controls, 10 year message retention, and 24/7 customer support, all for $36/month for a minimum of three users.
Rmail provides time-stamped proof of delivery, eSigning, time-stamped proof of opening, secure large file transfer, and audit trail for sending and receiving emails, with costs starting at $14.99/user/month for one to ten users.
Virtru offers mobile and web browser options, message revocation option, video tutorials, controls allowing the sender to see where messages are forwarded, and the option to set expiration dates for messages, but doesn't disclose its pricing online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FedEx HIPAA compliant?
Yes, FedEx is considered HIPAA compliant due to the HIPAA Conduit Exception Rule, which covers private couriers like FedEx. However, additional steps may be required to ensure full compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Can you make Gmail HIPAA compliant?
To make Gmail HIPAA compliant, you need to sign a Business Associates Agreement with Google, which requires a unique process due to Google's size and corporate structure. Learn more about the steps to take and requirements for Google's Business Associates Agreement.
Sources
- https://www.postgrid.com/hipaa-compliant-print-and-mail/
- https://mailchimp.com/resources/hipaa-compliant-email/
- https://builtin.com/articles/hipaa-compliant-email
- https://www.totalhipaa.com/recommended-hipaa-compliant-email-encryption-services/
- https://blog.hushmail.com/blog/hipaa-compliant-email-providers
Featured Images: pexels.com