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We are pleased to present important information regarding the 2024-2025 University health insurance requirement, the benefits offered through Cardinal Care, and the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy. Additional information includes Travel Assistance when away from campus, and the option for students with Cardinal Care coverage to enroll their dependents in the Dependent Care plan.
Table of Contents
Please utilize the links below to navigate this important insurance information.
Stanford University Mandatory Health Insurance Requirement
Overview: Students, while attending Stanford University, must be covered by health insurance that meets specific parameters to ensure that health care needs can be met.Cardinal Care, the student health insurance plan sponsored by Stanford University, is one such option.
Making a Decision: Stay Enrolled in Cardinal Care or Request a Waiver
- New and returning students must make their health insurance decision each year.
- All students must acknowledge their understanding of the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy in Axessno later than the applicable waiver deadline.
- Students who wish to remain enrolled in Cardinal Care do not need to take any further action once they have acknowledged the policy (enrollment in Cardinal Care is the default).
General Information About Health Insurance
How Health Insurance Works in the United States: Health care in the United States can be very expensive.A single doctor’s office visit may cost several hundred dollars and an average three-day hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars (or even more) depending on the type of care provided. Most of us could not afford to pay such large sums when we get sick, especially since we don’t know when we might become ill or injured or how much care we might need. Health insurance offers a way to reduce such costs to more reasonable, affordable amounts. The way it typically works is that the consumer (you) pays an up front premium to a health insurance company and that payment allows you to share ‘risk’ with lots of other people (enrollees) who are making similar payments. Since most people are healthy most of the time, the premium dollars paid to the insurance company can be used to cover the expenses of the (relatively) small number of enrollees who get sick or are injured.
- Important Questions to Ask When Selecting Health Insurance
- Important Insurance Terms and Concepts
Cardinal Care Student Health Insurance
Further explore Cardinal Care student health insurance here.Access an overview of Cardinal Care as well as a summary of benefits.
- Cardinal Care Overview*
- Medical
- Mental Health
- Dental
- On Call International
- Aetna Student Health Features
- Summary of Benefits
- Cardinal Care Medical Benefits
- Cardinal Care Mental Health Benefits
- Cardinal Care Dental Benefits
- International Coverage
- Referrals for Specialty Care
- 2024-2025 Tier 1 Additional Ancillary Service Providers
- Cost and Coverage Periods
Other Options for Health Insurance and Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements
Stanford recognizes that students may already have health insurance that works well for them.Plans can take many forms, with wide breadths of coverage. Our goal is for all students to have coverage through which they can get their care needs met, both expected and unexpected, whether in the Stanford vicinity or wherever they may happen to be studying or traveling.
- Other Options for Health Insurance
- Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements
Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy: Next Steps/ACTION REQUIRED
Reminder: All students are automatically enrolled in Cardinal Care health insurance coverage.By the applicable deadline, students must take action to acknowledge the Cardinal Care enrollment policy. Students who wish to waive Cardinal Care coverage must submit their request to waive.
- Next Steps in Axess
- Don't Miss the Deadline
- Take Action
- Additional Considerations for International Students
- What To Expect After Requesting a Waiver
- You Must Take Action Every Year
Unique Cardinal Care Enrollment Situations
Learn about unique Cardinal Care enrollment situations,including a leave of absence and when you confer your degree (off cycle).
- Cardinal Care and Leaves of Absence
- Cardinal Care When You Confer Your Degree (Off Cycle)
Health Insurance for Dependents of Students
Stanford University offers the Stanford Student Dependent Health Insurance Plan, ‘Dependent Care’, for the dependents of Stanford students who are enrolled in Cardinal Care. Dependent Care is a plan which mirrors most of the benefits offered through Cardinal Care and is also administered by Aetna Student Health. The policy year is September 1 through August 31.
- Eligible Dependents
- Dependent Care Enrollment Guidelines
- How To Enroll Dependents
- Cost and Billing
- Qualifying Life Events
- Seeking Care
- Cancelling Enrollment in Dependent Care
Cardinal Care Frequently Asked Questions
Following are answers to some of the more common queries we receive.If you don’t see yours addressed, please contact Vaden’s Insurance and Referral Office directly.
