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.
Acknowledge Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy
Once you have decided whether to remain enrolled in Cardinal Care coverage or to request a waiver, the next step is to take action in Axess. Regardless of your decision, as part of this process, ALL students are required to acknowledge their understanding of the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy:
- Log into Axess (axess.stanford.edu)
- Review your To Do list on your Axess Home Page
- Select the ‘Mandatory Insurance Decision’
- Read the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy and click ‘Accept’ to indicate you have done so.
- Click ‘Submit’ to clear your To Do item
The Mandatory Health Insurance ‘To Do’ Item typically appears several weeks prior to open course enrollment for your first quarter each academic year.
Don’t Miss the Deadline!
If you fail to take action by the deadline that is applicable to you (see table below), unexpected consequences and charges may apply.
| Quarter of Entry | Deadline to: 1) Acknowledge Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy in Axess* (for ALL students), and 2) Submit a Request to Waive Cardinal Care Coverage (for students who wish to waive) | Population of Students |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Quarter | September 15 | This deadline is only applicable to students entering Stanford in Autumn Quarter |
| Winter Quarter | December 15 | This deadline is only applicable to students entering Stanford in Winter Quarter |
| Spring Quarter | March 15 | This deadline is only applicable to students entering Stanford in Spring Quarter |
| Summer Quarter | June 15 | This deadline is only applicable to students entering Stanford in Summer Quarter |
*Axess typically opens a few weeks prior to the date class enrollment begins.
If You Are a Student Who Wishes to Remain Enrolled in Health Insurance Coverage Through Cardinal Care
Once you have read and acknowledged your understanding of the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy in Axess, you will remain enrolled in Cardinal Care for the applicable plan period. The decision made at the start of the first registered quarter of each academic year (Autumn Quarter for most students), is binding, and coverage will remain in effect through the plan year end (August 31). (Note: Students who confer their degree at the end of Autumn or Winter Quarter may petition to end their coverage at the end of the corresponding coverage period; strict petition submission deadlines apply.)
Academic HealthPlans Processes Waiver Requests
Stanford University partners with Aetna Student Health to administer and insure the Cardinal Care plan. Academic HealthPlans (AHP) administers the waiver process for students who wish to waive. Students who request to waive enrollment in Cardinal Care coverage in Axess will be taken to the AHP website to submit their proof of alternative coverage and may receive emails directly from AHP regarding the status of their request.
Additional Considerations for International Students
All international students will need to show proof medical evacuation coverage to the insured’s home country in the amount of $50,000 and proof repatriation coverage to the insured’s home country in the amount of $25,000. If your insurance plan meets all other requirements, then you can purchase medical evacuation coverage, and the waiver will be approved.
J Visa holders will need to have an insurance deductible of $500 or less. (This is in line with US State Department guidelines). International students will also need to submit a copy of their Visa with the waiver request so that each J Visa student’s deductible can be audited correctly. It is a requirement that all policy documents be submitted in English (with monetary values expressed in U.S. dollars).
What To Expect After Requesting a Waiver
If you request a waiver from enrollment in Cardinal Care coverage, once you’ve acknowledged the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy and provided proof of your alternative health insurance information, AHP will perform a check to make sure the insurance is active and meets the university’s criteria. This process may take up to 10 business days, so do not delay your submission!
If your alternative health insurance plan meets the defined minimum requirements, and your request to waive Cardinal Care coverage is successful, you will be UN-enrolled from Cardinal Care for the 2024–2025 plan year. The corresponding charge on your Axess account will be removed approximately 10 business days after the process is complete (Be sure to check! This is the best way to confirm that a successful waiver has occurred.)
If the coverage you submit fails to meet the minimum requirements, your request to waive Cardinal Care will be denied. You will be notified via your Stanford email address. If there is still time before the deadline, you will have a choice to A) secure health insurance coverage that meets the university’s minimum requirements, or B) remain enrolled in Cardinal Care for the applicable plan period.
You Must Take Action Every Year!
A successful request to waive is only applicable for one academic year and must be repeated in any subsequent year for which you wish not to be enrolled in Cardinal Care.
