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Stanford
Vaden Health Services
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Other Options for Care

Vaden Health Services can handle many medical and mental health situations and we encourage students to make Vaden the first stop for care. However, in situations where more immediate attention is needed, OR for times when Vaden is closed, please see the options below. They are listed in order of urgency of need (see examples for when Emergency or Urgent care might be warranted) and offer a mix of in-person and virtual alternatives.   

Decorative Cardinal Red accent line.

Emergency Care

For life threatening emergencies, or imminent risk to physical safety call 911 (or 9-911 from an on-campus blue emergency phone) to summon paramedic/ambulance immediate help, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you dial 911, be prepared to say exactly where you are, and what is wrong. If possible, enlist someone to meet the response team to guide them to the scene. You will be taken to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The Stanford University Medical Center Emergency Department is the nearest one on campus, located near the intersection of Campus Drive and Quarry Road. Their number is 650.723.5111. 

Examples of life-threatening conditions include the following:

  • Difficulty breathing for any reason
  • Major injury (e.g., open chest wound with trouble breathing; spinal or neck injury with loss of sensation or motion; obvious fracture, especially with visible bone)
  • Severe allergic reaction with throat swelling
  • Severe asthma
  • Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness (e.g., drug or alcohol overdose)
  • Threat of harm to self or others

Urgent Care

If you are experiencing an urgent need for care, regardless of the time of day, Vaden Health Services has options to support you.

For urgent mental health support, call the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) line 24/7 to connect with on-call mental health support

  • CAPS 24/7 line: 650.723.3785
  • When CAPS is open (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PT) CAPS clinicians are available onsite at Vaden Health Center for urgent support either in-person or by phone.  After hours, a crisis specialist is available by phone. If you are unsure if your concern is urgent, please do not hesitate to call us.
  • For urgent support call Stanford’s Confidential Support Team (CST) 24/7 Hotline at 650.725.9955.
  • When CST is open (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PT) CST clinicians are available onsite at Kingscote Gardens for urgent support either in-person or by phone. After hours, a crisis specialist is available by phone. If you are unsure if your concern is urgent, please do not hesitate to call us.
  • For urgent medical support, or to obtain advice about where to receive the proper level of care, call Vaden Health Center at 650.498.2336, extension 1.  
  • When Medical Services is open (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PT) clinicians are available onsite at Vaden Health Center for urgent support either in-person or by phone.  After hours, support is available by phone. If you are unsure if your concern is urgent, please do not hesitate to call us.

Sutter Urgent Care*, located in the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Center across from campus, offers care for more medically acute problems (e.g., broken bone) that require attention within 24 hours. 

Examples of urgent conditions include (obtain a medical evaluation as soon as possible if you experience any of the following):

  • Significant pain (e.g., in the chest, abdomen, head, neck, or ear, especially with fever)
  • Asthma (which is not responding to usual medication)
  • Urinary infection (especially with fever or back pain)
  • Possible fracture or dislocation
  • Any injury with significant pain or swelling
  • Laceration (a cut requiring stitches)
  • Bee sting reaction (e.g., especially with hives or swelling of an entire limb)
  • Fever in a returning traveler
  • Animal bite
  • Panic attack
  • Moderate to severe depressive episode

Non-Urgent Same Day Care

If you need non-urgent, but same-day care, regardless of the time of day, Vaden Health Services has options to support you. 

Call 650.498.2336 and select the option that best meets your needs.

Other local options also include:

Located in the Hoover Pavilion across from Stanford Shopping Center, Stanford Express Care* offers same day appointments for primary care services for illnesses and minor injuries that need quick attention (e.g., congestion, fever, headache, rashes, cuts, sprains, vomiting/diarrhea, etc.) for individuals six months and older. Call to make an appointment or schedule online. Video visits are available. 

Also located in the Hoover Pavilion across from Stanford Shopping Center, Stanford Walk-In Clinic* treats minor injuries, minor ailments (e.g., flu, fever), and minor wounds and burns for individuals two years and older. Radiology imaging and lab services are offered. No appointment is needed. 

We encourage you to make Vaden Health Center your first stop when non-urgent, same day care is needed. We often have same day appointments available, and many services offered are covered under the Health Fee (meaning an insurance co-payment won’t be required). Call us at 650.498.2336 to see if we can get you in! Alternatively, see the next section about TimelyCare, which offers same day virtual options for both medical and mental health needs. 

TimelyCare Virtual Medical and Mental Health (24/7/365)

TimelyCare is offered as a virtual supplement to the existing in-person and virtual medical and mental health services offered through Vaden. This option provides Stanford students, who are residing anywhere in the United States, with virtual medical and mental health care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year at no out-of-pocket cost.

We encourage students to sign up for TimelyCare upon arrival at Stanford. This way, if any of the services are ever needed, you’ll be ready to go! You’ll need to use your Stanford email to log in. 

Frequently Asked Questions About TimelyCare

TimelyCare is a virtual medical and mental health care service that offers Stanford students, who are residing anywhere in the United States, with virtual medical and mental health care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year at no out-of-pocket cost.

Login to timelycare.com/stanford or download the TimelyCare app to access care. You will need to use your Stanford email to login.

All currently enrolled Stanford students who are residing in the United States have access to TimelyCare. Students are able to schedule sessions from wherever they are in the United States. TimelyCare does not replace existing resources for students who are studying or traveling overseas, since its clinicians are licensed only in the United States.

TimelyCare’s providers offer support for a wide range of common concerns, and after talking with you, will decide on the best course of treatment.

TimelyCare is offered at no cost to Stanford students. Students will not incur any fees for using this service and will not be asked to provide credit card information or proof of insurance at any time.* Vaden Health Services covers the costs.

* An exception may apply for appointment no-shows.

  • MedicalNow: On-demand treatment/advice for common health issues, including cold, flu, and allergies
  • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors
  • Scheduled Medical: Choose the day, time, and medical provider who best works for you
  • Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that works best for you (12 visits/academic year)
  • Self-Care Content: Guided self-care content is available

TimelyCare offers 12 scheduled counseling visits per academic year for students with mild to moderate mental health needs. (Students with more acute or urgent needs should connect with CAPS and students with longer-term or more intensive needs may wish to engage with providers covered by their insurance.)

TimelyCare services are 100 percent virtual - phone and video only.

You are able to see a counselor through the service that you feel most comfortable with. We just ask that you do not use both services at the same time. This may become confusing for both you and the counselor.

Yes, Timely Care is available to Stanford students 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Students must be residing in the United States to receive care.

TimelyCare does not offer psychiatric medication services, or diagnostic testing (lab or radiology). Students will be referred to Vaden for help in accessing these services.

For life threatening emergencies, or imminent risk to physical safety call 911 (or 9-911 from an on-campus blue emergency phone). 

No, students may access TimelyCare directly.

No, TimelyCare staff will not be able to see your Vaden health records. Authorized Vaden staff can see records generated by TimelyCare clinicians, on a need-to-know basis.

Yes, if you have questions or have trouble logging in, call 833.484.6359. Additional student support resources may be found at the TimelyCare Support Website.

TimelyCare Services Include:

  • MedicalNow: On-demand treatment/advice for common health issues, including cold, flu, and allergies
  • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors
  • Scheduled Medical: Choose the day, time, and medical provider who best works for you
  • Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that works best for you (12 visits/academic year)
  • Self-Care Content: Look for the ‘Explore’ page on the TimelyCare site for guided self-care content

Important Considerations When Accessing Care

For care provided outside of Vaden such as at an emergency room, urgent care clinic or same day care clinic, you will need to present your insurance card at the time of service.  

  • The options listed here are in network for Cardinal Care. A copay or other out of pocket costs may apply.
  • If a follow-up visit with a specialist is recommended as a result of care at one of these facilities, AND you have Cardinal Care, be sure to contact Vaden before scheduling the follow-up appointment. A referral from Vaden may be required for the follow up care to be covered. 
  • If you have other health insurance, check with your insurance carrier to determine whether the care will be covered and the associated terms. Copays and/or deductibles may apply.