Articles

Compliance and Data Security: Non-Negotiables in Patient Balance Collections

Apr 21, 2025

In the healthcare revenue cycle, trust is everything. As a first-party representative of healthcare providers, our role in communicating with patients about their financial responsibilities goes far beyond accurate billing—it involves safeguarding sensitive data, upholding patient trust, and maintaining regulatory compliance at every touchpoint. 

The Stakes Are High 

When engaging with patients on behalf of health systems, we are entrusted not only with payment recovery—but also with Protected Health Information (PHI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and financial data. These are highly sensitive assets that require a rigorous and proactive security posture. 

A single misstep can lead to: 

  • Regulatory fines under HIPAA or state data protection laws 
  • Class Action lawsuits from impacted parties 
  • Breach of partner confidence 
  • Irreparable damage to patient trust and brand reputation 

This is why compliance and data security must be core competencies, not just checkboxes. 

 

Compliance as a Competitive Differentiator 

In a heavily regulated industry, organizations that treat compliance as a strategic advantage—not a burden—stand out. At Revenue Enterprises, for example, our commitment includes: 

  • HIPAA and PCI DSS adherence across all communication channels 
  • Secure data handling protocols and encrypted systems 
  • Regular third-party audits and penetration testing 
  • Regular Staff training and role-based access controls to reduce risk of human error 
  • Incident response plans that are tested, documented, and actionable 

When healthcare providers choose a partner to engage with patients about balances, they’re entrusting that partner to act as an extension of their brand—and their risk profile. 

 

First-Party Representation Requires First-Class Integrity 

What sets first-party agencies apart is the seamless way they represent the provider. That level of integration means the patient may not even realize they’re talking to a vendor. That makes compliance alignment and ethical standards even more critical. It’s not just our data—it’s their patients, their mission, and their reputation at risk. 

Security Is Not Static 

Threats evolve. Regulations shift. Patient expectations grow. Maintaining a strong compliance posture means staying in sync with all three. That’s why security can’t be a one-time initiative—it must be embedded in our culture, updated with every system enhancement, and reinforced through ongoing training. 

 

Building Trust, One Secure Interaction at a Time 

Ultimately, the way we handle data—and uphold privacy—communicates something even bigger than policy: it reflects our respect for patients and our responsibility to our partners.

In the world of healthcare revenue cycle, compliance and data security are not just IT issues. They are foundational to delivering ethical, efficient, and compassionate service.

Let’s continue raising the bar.

Karie Bostwick

VP of People and Compliance

As VP of People and Compliance at Revenue Enterprises, Karie Bostwick oversees People functions including recruiting, training, onboarding, engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, she is responsible for compliance training, oversight and monitoring.

Karie has a long history of working in the revenue cycle support industry. Her skills span leadership, operations start up, policies and procedures development, operations workflow, budgeting and client management.

She is passionate about the experience of our people, patients and the Healthcare clients we serve and believes that a team of diverse, talented and motivated individuals working together toward a common goal can make a difference.

Robert Sterett

VP of Information Technology

As a transformational leader Robert Sterett has leveraged his 20 years of experience to build effective service lines and exceptional teams. In his role as VP of Information Technology at Revenue Enterprises, Robert excels at taking a unique, balanced, and strategic approach to technology leadership with people first for the best possible outcome. Using his experience from engineering, project management and service line management he takes a multi-faceted approach to ensure the right people are in the correct position coupled with the best technology to meet or exceed all expectations from security to compliance and business continuity.

Robert’s leadership style lends itself to building long term relationships and has consistently been a relied upon strength in many organizations. Over Robert’s time as an IT operational and project leader, he has spent significant time in both hands-on technology facing roles and client centric management roles to bring the best solutions that strive to meet the business and client needs.

Focusing heavily on his personal development skills and opportunities, Robert continues to foster coaching and mentorship relationships everywhere in his life, and the lives around him.

Douglas Dunbar

VP of Sales & Marketing

As VP of Sales and Marketing for Revenue Enterprises, Douglas Dunbar leads with a passion for building strategic partnerships, nurturing relationships, and upholding customer service excellence. In his role, Doug focuses on marketing and brand strategy, sales team leadership, and working closely with members of the management team to best serve company goals.

Doug has over 28 years of National sales and marketing call/contact center leadership, with 10 years of service specifically at Revenue Enterprises. Currently, Doug serves as part of Wyoming HFMA Chapter leadership and has held various roles in Colorado HFMA Chapter leadership for over 9 years.

In his spare time, Doug is very family oriented. Additionally, he loves traveling, cycling, golfing, fishing, hunting, and boating.

Kris Brumley, MBA

President & COO

As President & COO of Revenue Enterprises, Kris Brumley is a collaborative partner within the executive team and a leader for operational functions across the organization. Kris productively shares vision, drives innovation, and supports those around her in a way that elevates them and fosters continuous improvement and results. She has helped create a supportive environment for clients resulting in 98% client retention and a 65% NPS score for all clients and 75% for top clients by revenue.

Kris possesses an MBA in data analytics and has twenty-five years of experience in the healthcare industry, with 19 specifically in revenue cycle. She brings a wealth of customer service experience to her role and has worn many hats at Revenue Enterprises including Director of Business Development, EBO Division Director, and VP of Client Experience Management.

In her personal life, Kris is as busy outside of work as inside. She values spending time with her family, and enjoys fishing, hiking, traveling and interior decorating and design.

Timothy (Tim) Brainerd

CEO

As CEO of Revenue Enterprises for almost 20 years, Tim Brainerd leads by example. He promotes a shared vision and stewards a culture of Integrity, Passion, and Respect. He has assembled and empowered high-performing talent and teams to support customers, facilitate strategic planning and manage the capital of the company. Under his leadership, Revenue Enterprises has doubled in size three times over the past fifteen years while maintaining a culture of caring and gratefulness.

Tim has close to four decades of revenue cycle experience, including nineteen years with RSI
Enterprises. He has been a past president of Colorado Chapter of the HFMA and a presenting speaker on the topic of Leadership. He is a fifteen-year member of Vistage International, the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders.

Raised in the Midwest, Tim values humble principles like being respectful, caring, passionate, self-reliant, and most importantly grateful. His most important lesson and the lesson he hopes to pass on in all relationships is living the Golden Rule–do unto others as you would have them do unto you. He is intentional in his choices and believes in making decisions, taking action, being accountable, and loving your neighbors.

Whenever possible, Tim spends his time with his wife of nearly forty years, his adult children, and his grandchildren. His hobbies include fishing, golfing, traveling as well as game nights and sharing great food with his family.