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Taking Care of Ourselves & Each Other

Health & Well-Being

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Insurance & Referral Office

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Stanford University requires that all registered students carry adequate health insurance. This requirement can be met either through Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance plan, or through an alternative insurance plan that meets Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements established by the university. 

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Health Insurance Overview

A variety of health care services are available at Vaden Health Center on the Stanford campus and many are covered under the Campus Health Service Fee ('Health Fee'). For the services that Vaden can’t or doesn’t provide, such as emergency care, hospitalization, or care when a student is traveling away from campus, or for those services that are offered at Vaden but not covered under the Health Fee, such as specialty care, physical therapy, or prescriptions, health insurance is needed.

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Cardinal Care Overview & Benefits

Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance option, is a comprehensive plan specifically designed for Stanford students. All Cardinal Care benefits (medical, mental health, and dental) are administered by Aetna (Aetna Student Health and Aetna PPO Dental).

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Choosing Your Insurance

Health insurance plans vary in the coverage they offer. Cardinal Care has broad, comprehensive coverage that has worked well for our students in many diverse scenarios over time. 

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Dental & Vision Insurance Options

Learn about options for dental and vision care, whether you are enrolled in Cardinal Care or not.

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Dependent Insurance Coverage

Explore information related to dependent insurance coverage including costs, eligibility, and more. 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance

View an FAQ that has been put together by our staff to help answer your questions. 

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Cardinal Care & Stanford Student Dependent Health Insurance for 2024-2025

Stanford University requires that all registered students carry adequate health insurance. This requirement can be met either through Cardinal Care, the University sponsored health insurance plan, or through an alternative insurance plan that meets Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements established by the university.