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.)
Medical Benefits
Cardinal Care's medical benefits are administered by Aetna Student Health. An Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan, Cardinal Care lets you decide where to get medical care. The cost at the time of care is dependent on where you receive your treatment.
Cardinal Care includes two tiers of coverage that you can access:
Tier 1 Medical Care
Tier 1 coverage allows students to be seen at Stanford University Medical Center, Menlo Medical Clinic, or Sutter Health/Palo Alto Medical Foundation. While a referral from a Vaden clinician may be required to open the door to specialist services, it is not required for insurance purposes. For office visits and most outpatient services, students pay only a $25 copayment. (A copayment is the fee you pay each time you receive a service.) For inpatient care at Stanford hospital, coverage is at 100% after a $100 annual deductible and a $500 copay per admission.
Tier 2 Medical Care
Tier 2 coverage allows students to receive care from any Aetna Student Health preferred provider. This flexibility can come in especially handy when traveling since Aetna’s network is local, national, and international. When Tier 2 is in effect, Cardinal Care pays 70% of eligible expenses after you meet a $500 annual deductible. (A deductible is the amount you pay each year before Cardinal Care begins reimbursing services.)
For Tier 2 benefits outside of California, you must utilize an Aetna Student Health network provider. Services rendered out of the country are reimbursed at the Tier 2 benefit level.
Be sure to follow the directions on your individualized ID card when accessing health care off campus.
For more information on medical benefits, call 1.888.834.4708 (Aetna Student Health) or visit the Aetna website.
Mental Health Benefits
Cardinal Care's mental health care administrator is Aetna Student Health. Aetna administers Cardinal Care’s mental health benefits through a local and national network of mental health clinicians. The greatest benefits (and lowest cost) to students occur when care is first sought at Vaden's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) unit, but students may also access care from an Aetna provider directly. For more information, visit the Aetna website.
Dental Benefits
Cardinal Care's dental benefits are administered by Aetna PPO Dental. Coverage includes diagnostic and preventive services at 100% with a one-time $25 deductible when an in-network Aetna PPO dentist is used. For more information, visit the Aetna PPO Dental website.
Additional Information About Cardinal Care Benefits
More detailed information about Cardinal Care medical, mental health, and dental benefits can be found on the Aetna Student Health website or in the Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents below.