Is Continue HIPAA compliant?
No. Continue is not HIPAA compliant.
Continue does not produce HIPAA-compliant applications by default. The code it generates lacks required security controls, and common deployment targets don't sign BAAs. You need to deploy on HIPAA-eligible infrastructure like Google Cloud.
Why Continue isn't HIPAA compliant
Generated code lacks HIPAA security controls
Continue generates functional code, but doesn't add encryption at rest, audit logging, PHI access controls, or session timeout policies required by HIPAA.
Default deployment targets aren't HIPAA-eligible
AI-generated code typically deploys to Vercel, Netlify, or Render — none of which sign BAAs or offer HIPAA-eligible hosting.
Database choices aren't HIPAA-compliant
AI tools commonly set up Supabase, PlanetScale, or MongoDB Atlas databases, none of which offer HIPAA-eligible plans with BAAs.
Authentication doesn't meet HIPAA requirements
Generated auth flows typically lack multi-factor authentication, automatic session timeouts, and the access control granularity HIPAA requires.
What HIPAA actually requires
Business Associate Agreement
Every third party that accesses PHI must sign a BAA. Your cloud provider, database host, and auth service all need one.
Encryption at rest & in transit
All PHI must be encrypted when stored (AES-256) and during transmission (TLS 1.2+). You must control your own encryption keys.
Access controls & authentication
Role-based access, multi-factor authentication, automatic session timeouts, and unique user IDs for everyone accessing PHI.
Audit logging
Complete trail of who accessed PHI, when, what they did, and from where. Logs must be tamper-proof and retained for 6 years.
Backup & disaster recovery
PHI must be recoverable. You need automated backups, tested recovery procedures, and a documented disaster recovery plan.
Minimum necessary access
Users and systems should only access the minimum PHI needed for their function. No blanket access to all records.
How to make your Continue app HIPAA compliant
You'll need to deploy on HIPAA-eligible infrastructure instead of standard hosting platforms. Here's the step-by-step process.
Set up a Google Cloud project
Create a new Google Cloud project with organization-level HIPAA compliance enabled. Google Cloud is HIPAA-eligible and will sign a BAA.
Sign a BAA with Google Cloud
Accept the Google Cloud BAA through your organization settings. This is required before any PHI touches Google infrastructure.
Deploy your database on Cloud SQL
Set up Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL with encryption at rest enabled. Migrate your data from the original database. Cloud SQL is covered under Google's BAA.
Deploy your backend on Cloud Run
Containerize your backend and deploy on Cloud Run with VPC networking. Cloud Run is HIPAA-eligible and scales automatically.
Configure Identity Platform for auth
Set up Google Cloud Identity Platform with multi-factor authentication, session timeouts, and role-based access controls.
Implement audit logging
Enable Cloud Audit Logs for infrastructure access. Add application-level logging for all PHI access, modifications, and deletions.
Get a security audit
Have a professional review your entire setup — infrastructure, application code, and policies — before handling real PHI.
Recommended HIPAA-compliant infrastructure
We recommend Google Cloud for most projects. All services below are covered under their BAA.
| Purpose | Google Cloud | AWS Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Database | Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL | Amazon RDS |
| Backend hosting | Cloud Run | AWS Fargate |
| Authentication | Identity Platform | Amazon Cognito |
| File storage | Cloud Storage | Amazon S3 |
| Encryption keys | Cloud KMS | AWS KMS |
| Audit logging | Cloud Audit Logs | AWS CloudTrail |
| WAF & DDoS protection | Cloud Armor | AWS WAF + Shield |
No AI tool is HIPAA compliant
This applies to every AI coding tool and no-code platform — not just Continue.
Frequently asked questions
Is Continue HIPAA compliant?
No. Continue is not HIPAA compliant. It does not sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) and its infrastructure has not been certified for handling Protected Health Information (PHI).
Can I build a HIPAA-compliant app with Continue?
You can use Continue to build the initial version of your app, but you cannot run it on standard hosting platforms if it handles PHI. You'll need to deploy on HIPAA-eligible infrastructure like Google Cloud instead of standard hosting platforms.
Does Continue sign a BAA?
No. Continue does not currently offer Business Associate Agreements. Without a BAA, using non-compliant infrastructure to process PHI is a direct HIPAA violation.
What cloud provider should I use for HIPAA compliance?
Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure all offer HIPAA-eligible services and will sign BAAs. We recommend Google Cloud for most projects — Cloud SQL for your database, Cloud Run for your backend, and Identity Platform for authentication.
What happens if I violate HIPAA?
HIPAA violations carry fines from $141 to $71,162 per violation, up to $2,134,831 per year for repeated violations of the same provision. Criminal penalties can include up to 10 years in prison for intentional violations.
How much does it cost to make a Continue app HIPAA compliant?
Infrastructure costs on Google Cloud typically run $50–200/month for a small healthcare app. The initial migration and security implementation usually costs $3,000–15,000 depending on app complexity. A professional security audit adds $1,000–5,000.
Can I use Supabase or Firebase for a HIPAA app?
Firebase can be HIPAA-eligible if you sign a BAA with Google Cloud and follow their compliance guide. Supabase does not currently offer BAAs and cannot be used for PHI. We recommend Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL as a simpler, fully-covered option.
We can make your Continue app HIPAA compliant
We migrate vibe-coded apps to HIPAA-eligible infrastructure. Book a free call to discuss your project.