Stanford University offers the Stanford Student Dependent Health Insurance Plan, ‘Dependent Care’, for the dependents of Stanford students who are enrolled in Cardinal Care. Dependent Care is a plan which mirrors most of the benefits offered through Cardinal Care and is also administered by Wellfleet Student. The policy year is Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.
Eligible Dependents
Only students who are enrolled in Cardinal Care may enroll dependents in Dependent Care. Eligible dependents include:
- Spouse (unless you are legally separated or divorced)
- Registered Domestic Partner
- Unmarried children up to age 26
- Unmarried children 26 or older who are unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental handicap
Greater detail about benefits is available in the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) (available by Sept. 1, 2025).
Dependent Care Open Enrollment Periods
Dependent Care Open Enrollment takes place in the month of Sept., or in the first month of the student’s entry quarter each plan year.
| If the entry quarter is: | Open enrollment period for your dependent(s) is: |
|---|---|
| Autumn Quarter | Sept. 1–30 |
| Winter Quarter | Jan. 1–30 |
| Spring Quarter | Apr. 1–30 |
| Summer Quarter | Jun. 1–30 |
How To Enroll Dependents
If you are a student enrolled in Cardinal Care, you may enroll your dependent(s) in Dependent Care by completing the enrollment application. Once enrolled, all billing and payment activity for dependents occurs directly with Wellfleet via Academic HealthPlans/AHP. (No dependent information is held in Axess.)
Cost and Billing
Enrollees in Dependent Care pay the premium directly to Wellfleet via AHP on a monthly basis. For the 2025–2026 plan year, the monthly premium charges for dependents are:
- Spouse/Registered Domestic Partner: $686.00
- Child: $364.00
- Children (2 or more) $728.00
- Spouse + Child $1,050.00
- Spouse + Children $1,414.00
Accessing Care
Dependents should utilize Wellfleet participating network providers (Blue Shield of CA PPO in California; Cigna PPO outside California) when seeking health care. Although dependents of students are not eligible for care at Vaden Health Center, the on site pharmacy, Walgreens at Vaden, serves students and dependents.
Qualifying Life Events
Once the Dependent Care open enrollment period has expired, the only other time a student may purchase coverage for a dependent is when a ‘qualifying life event’ occurs. Examples of qualifying life events are:
- Marriage
- Birth of a child or children (i.e., child/ren may be enrolled)
- Loss of prior coverage
Enrollment in Dependent Care must occur within 60 days of the qualifying event. Submission of proof associated with the qualifying event is required. Contact Vaden Health Center’s Insurance and Referral Office staff for more information.
Cancelling Enrollment in Dependent Care
Students’ dependent(s) may choose to drop Dependent Care coverage for any reason during the policy year, but will not have the option to be re-enrolled unless a Qualifying Life Event occurs.
Cancellation of coverage cannot be backdated. If you choose to pay via an installment plan, you will be charged 2 months of premium up front. Once your installment for the month is charged, it cannot be prorated or refunded. Dependents will be terminated on their paid through date. Please contact AHP at least 2 months in advance of the desired cancellation date.
If premiums are paid in full, you will be refunded for the remaining months. For example, if your dependent has coverage from 9/1/25-8/31/26 and you choose to cancel dependent coverage as of 2/28/26, you will be refunded premiums from 3/1/26 – 8/31/26.
