Is SurveyMonkey HIPAA Compliant in 2026? Read This First

Last Updated: 1 January 2026

By: Prokhor Sikder

If you're in healthcare or handle sensitive patient data, you’ve likely asked: is SurveyMonkey HIPAA compliant in 2026? The answer is yes, but only under specific conditions.

To be SurveyMonkey HIPAA compliant, you must be on the Enterprise plan, have a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA), and enable HIPAA compliance settings from your admin dashboard.

Without these, your forms won’t meet HIPAA requirements, and using them for PHI could expose you to serious legal risks.

In this guide, we’ll explain what HIPAA compliance means for survey tools, how to configure SurveyMonkey properly, and what better alternatives might be available.

Quick Answer - Is SurveyMonkey HIPAA Compliant?

Yes, but only if you meet these three conditions:

  1. You're on the Enterprise plan
  2. You've signed a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
  3. HIPAA features are enabled from the admin settings

If you're using a free, Standard, Advantage, or Team plan, SurveyMonkey is not HIPAA compliant, even if you aren’t collecting highly sensitive info.

What HIPAA Compliance Means for Survey Tools

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects any data that can identify a patient, called Protected Health Information (PHI). If your form collects names, contact info, health conditions, or any medical data, HIPAA applies.

Survey tools must meet certain technical and administrative safeguards:

  • Encryption for data in transit and at rest
  • Access controls and audit logs
  • Data storage on secure servers
  • Proper handling of PHI under a legal agreement (BAA)

Even a simple form that asks for symptoms or email addresses tied to patient names can fall under HIPAA’s scope.

What You Need for SurveyMonkey to Be HIPAA Compliant

To legally collect PHI through SurveyMonkey, you’ll need to complete three key steps:

1. You must use the Enterprise plan

SurveyMonkey’s HIPAA compliance is only available to Enterprise customers. Basic, Standard, Advantage, and Team plans do not support HIPAA protections.

2. You must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)

A BAA is a legal contract required under HIPAA. It confirms that SurveyMonkey is responsible for securing your PHI. Enterprise users must request and sign the BAA through SurveyMonkey’s customer support.

3. Enable HIPAA features from admin settings

Once your BAA is signed, HIPAA settings don’t activate automatically. You’ll need to:

  • Go to your Admin Console
  • Enable HIPAA compliance mode
  • Restrict access to authorized users only

Failing to activate these settings could mean you’re still not compliant even with a BAA in place.

What the SurveyMonkey BAA Actually Covers

SurveyMonkey’s BAA outlines:

  • Secure encryption of PHI data
  • Data access controls (e.g., audit logs, user restrictions)
  • Secure data centers that meet U.S. compliance standards
  • Incident response processes in case of a breach

But it also limits features like third-party integrations, and HIPAA coverage only applies after the BAA is signed not retroactively.

If you’re serious about staying SurveyMonkey HIPAA compliant, make sure your BAA is fully executed before collecting any PHI.

Common Pitfalls When Using SurveyMonkey in Healthcare

Avoid these mistakes if you’re trying to use SurveyMonkey HIPAA compliant forms:

  • Using the free or Advantage plan without knowing it's not compliant
  • Forgetting to sign the BAA or enable HIPAA features
  • Collecting PHI without encryption, like names and diagnoses
  • Allowing open access to responses by multiple team members

SurveyMonkey is user-friendly, but you’re responsible for configuring it securely.

Alternatives to SurveyMonkey for HIPAA-Compliant Forms

Looking for something simpler and fully secure from the start?

👉 Supatool.io is a no-code platform that comes HIPAA-compliant right out of the box. No special plan or hidden upgrades required.

Supatool features:

  • Signed BAA on all plans
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Audit trails and secure e-signatures
  • Compliance with HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and more
  • Advanced branding and workflow automation

For clinics, research teams, or telehealth providers, Supatool offers more flexibility with less setup stress.

Should You Use SurveyMonkey for HIPAA Data?

Yes, SurveyMonkey can be HIPAA compliant but only if you’re on the Enterprise plan, sign the BAA, and properly enable all compliance settings.

If you’re on a lower-tier plan or haven’t configured HIPAA mode, don’t collect PHI. You could risk fines, patient privacy, and your organization’s reputation.

For teams that need built-in compliance without the enterprise pricing, Supatool.io offers a secure, scalable alternative.

FAQs

What is HIPAA compliance for forms?

It means your form tool must secure PHI with encryption, access control, and legal safeguards (like a BAA) as required under HIPAA.

Can I use SurveyMonkey without a BAA and still be compliant?

No. A signed BAA is a legal requirement when handling PHI. Without it, your use of SurveyMonkey is not HIPAA compliant.

Is Supatool HIPAA compliant?

Yes. Supatool offers HIPAA compliance on all plans, with a signed BAA, secure infrastructure, and advanced permission controls.

What happens if I collect PHI without HIPAA features enabled?

You may be in violation of HIPAA regulations, which can lead to fines, audits, and legal consequences, especially if a breach occurs.