Is Eleo HIPAA Compliant? (Important Guidelines for Web Forms & Data Collection)
Overview
Eleo is designed to support fundraising, donor management, and event coordination. It is not intended for collecting or storing Protected Health Information (PHI) and is not HIPAA compliant.
If your organization works with sensitive health-related information, it’s important to use Eleo appropriately and avoid collecting regulated data through the platform.
What is HIPAA and PHI?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) sets rules for how certain health information must be handled.
Protected Health Information (PHI) includes any health-related details tied to an identifiable individual, such as:
- Medical conditions or diagnoses
- Treatment or care information
- Insurance or billing related to healthcare
-
Any health details connected to a name, email, or other identifier
Why Eleo is Not HIPAA Compliant
HIPAA compliance requires specialized safeguards such as advanced encryption, strict access controls, and formal agreements around how data is handled.
Eleo is not built for these requirements, so it should not be used to collect, store, or transmit PHI.
What This Means for Your Web Forms
Do NOT collect:
- Medical history or diagnoses
- Treatment details or care plans
- Medications or health conditions
- Insurance or healthcare billing details
-
Any health-related information tied to an identifiable person
Safe to collect:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- General inquiries
-
Event registrations and donation information (non-health related)
A simple rule: if you’re asking why someone has a need related to their health, that likely crosses into PHI.
Best Practice: Keep Eleo “Operational,” Not Medical
When using Eleo, focus on collecting what you need to operate, not the underlying medical reason.
You can usually capture the same intent without storing sensitive information.
Examples:
| INSTEAD OF: | CONSIDER USING: |
|---|---|
| “Volunteer has epilepsy” | “Requires staff awareness during events” |
| “Severe peanut allergy” | “Dietary restriction – see event coordinator” |
| “Wheelchair due to condition” | “Accessibility accommodations needed” |
The goal is to document the need or accommodation, not the diagnosis behind it.
Why This Approach Matters
Even well-intentioned forms can unintentionally collect sensitive data. Keeping your forms focused on logistics and participation helps:
- Protect your constituents’ privacy
- Reduce risk for your organization
- Ensure Eleo is being used as intended