Cardinal Care Overview & Benefits
Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance option, is a comprehensive plan specifically designed for Stanford students. Medical benefits and mental health benefits are administered by Aetna Student Health, and dental benefits are administered by Aetna PPO Dental.
Cardinal Care features
- Comprehensive, worldwide coverage, including medical and mental health care, hospitalization, emergency care, and most pharmaceuticals.
- Tier 1 provider network includes Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, Menlo Medical, and Sutter Health/Palo Alto Medical Foundation. There is no referral requirement for students to access Tier 1 insurance benefits.
- Enrollment in Cardinal Care is an annual commitment, with fees that are charged over three academic quarters (Autumn, Winter, Spring) for the annual period for most students. The full plan year runs September 1 through August 31.
Additional Information
Cardinal Care offers robust coverage at school, at home, and while traveling or studying abroad. This is important for Stanford students, many of whom are on the move. Cardinal Care also provides coverage for eligible enrollees during leaves of absence, school breaks, immediately following graduation, and in quarters when students might not be registered for classes, such as summer. Students enrolled in Cardinal Care have access to Stanford faculty specialists and to hospital and emergency care at the Stanford University Medical Center.
Cardinal Care & Stanford Student Dependent Health Insurance for 2023-2024
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 has comparable benefits.
Enrollment in Cardinal Care
How does enrollment in Cardinal Care Work? All students are initially enrolled in Cardinal Care. As part of the university’s requirement that all students have adequate health insurance coverage, all registered students are initially and automatically enrolled in Cardinal Care in their first registered quarter of each academic year.
Medical, Mental Health & Dental Benefits
Cardinal Care is structured to complement the care that is available to students through Vaden. (Much of the care provided at Vaden is covered under the Health Fee.)
Cost & Coverage Dates
View important information cost and coverage dates as well as supplemental information, including Cardinal Care Subsidy for Graduate Student.
