Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance option, is a comprehensive plan specifically designed for Stanford students. Medical benefits are administered by Health Net of California, mental health benefits are administered by Managed Health Network (MHN), a Health Net company, and, new for the 2015–16 plan year, dental benefits, administered by Delta Dental of California, will be included.
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 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 hospital and emergency care at the Stanford University Medical Center.
Important to note: enrollment in Cardinal Care or the decision to waive Cardinal coverage is an annual commitment. This means that the decision made at the first quarter of entry for any academic year is binding for the remainder of that academic year. The only exception to the annual commitment occurs for students who graduate at the end of autumn or winter quarters. Autumn and winter graduates may petition to cancel Cardinal Care coverage at the end of the coverage period associated with the quarter in which they graduate.
Medical, Mental Health and Dental Benefits
Cardinal Care is structured to complement the care that is available to students through Vaden.
Medical Benefits
Cardinal Care's medical benefits are administered by Health Net of California. 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. You can choose from one of the following options:
Tier 1 Medical Care: Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic
Tier 1 coverage allows students to be seen at Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic with a referral from a Vaden clinician. For office visits and most outpatient services, you pay only a $20 to $30 copayment, and Cardinal Care covers the balance. (A copayment is the fee you pay each time you receive a service.) For inpatient care at Stanford hospital, coverage is at 100% for the 2014–15 plan year, and at 100% after a $500 copay per admission starting with the 2015–16 plan year.
Tier 2 Medical Care: Any Health Net Preferred Provider (including Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic)
Tier 2 coverage allows students to receive care from any Health Net preferred provider. This flexibility can come in especially handy when traveling since Health Net’s network is local, national, and international.
- For the 2014–15 plan year, when Tier 2 is in effect, Cardinal Care pays 80% of eligible expenses after you meet a $200 annual deductible.
- For the 2015–16 plan year, 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.)
Tier 2 allows you to use Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic without a referral from your Vaden clinician. For Tier 2 benefits outside of California, you must utilize a FIRST 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 1-800-250-5226 (Health Net of California) or visit the Health Net website and look at My Health Net Plan under the Cardinal Care tab.
Mental Health Benefits
Cardinal Care's mental health care administrator is Managed Health Network, MHN, a Health Net company. MHN 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 MHN provider directly. For more information, visit the Health Net site.
Dental Benefits
Cardinal Care's dental benefits, new for the 2015–16 plan year (which began September 1, 2015) are administered by Delta Dental of California. Coverage includes diagnostic and preventive services at 100% with no deductible when an in-network Delta Dental PPO dentist is used.
Additional Information About Cardinal Care Benefits
Cardinal Care is a comprehensive health insurance plan specifically designed for Stanford students. Coverage is worldwide and includes medical, surgical, mental health care, hospitalization, emergency care, and pharmaceuticals. Cardinal Care is administered and insured by Health Net of California (for medical benefits), MHN (for mental health benefits), and, effective September 1, 2015, Delta Dental of California (for dental benefits).
Please view the PDFs below to see the Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents for the 2015-16 plan year (which began September 1, 2015).
Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2015–16 Palo Alto Campus- Summary of Benefits and Coverage 2015–16 Monterey Campus
Additional information is available on the Health Net website.
