Stanford University requires that all registered students carry adequate health insurance. This requirement can be met either through Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance plan, or through an alternative insurance plan that has comparable benefits.
Department of State (DOS) regulations require all J-1 visa holders and their J-2 dependents be covered by medical insurance at all times for the entire duration of their J program. The Bechtel International Center is obligated, by federal law, to cancel the J-1 visa of any J-1 visitor who neglects to obtain and maintain medical insurance for themselves or their J-2 dependents.
*Coverage for Repatriation and Medical Evacuation is required for J-1 Exchange Visitors. Barney & Barney LLC provides such coverage. Please contact them for further information and to obtain the necessary forms. Medex is another company that provides such coverage.
Please note that these companies are only suggestions for your reference and we are in no way endorsing them or their services.
Stanford's Cardinal Care Plan meets the Department of State insurance requirements. J-1 students and their dependents are eligible.
Stanford requires all postdocs regardless of visa status to be covered by a comprehensive medical plan that is ACA compliant. Stanford Postdoc medical insurance meets this ACA requirement, as well as the J visa requirement for those under J sponsorship. All Postdocs under Stanford visa sponsorship are eligible to participate in the Stanford Postdoc Benefit plans.
Postdocs can learn about the options for coverage for themselves and their dependents from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs 'Benefits'
Registered Visiting Student Researchers are required to purchase Stanford's Cardinal Care Health plan unless they apply for and are granted a waiver of this requirement by Vaden Health Center. All inquiries concerning the waiving of this requirement should be directed to Vaden Health Center.
Please note that in addition to purchasing health insurance, Visiting Student Researchers are also required to pay the Campus Health Service Fee.
Visiting scholars in J-1 visa status may choose to be covered by insurance plans obtained overseas, or purchase a plan in the US from an American carrier. However, these plans must meet Department of State requirements.
Visiting Scholars are not eligible for Stanford's insurance plans and must obtain their own insurance coverage.
Dependent insurance services offered by Stanford University vary according to your Stanford affiliation.
Although the International Center does not endorse any specific insurance plan, these companies offer insurance to international students and scholars:
We recommend that you contact a local insurance broker if you have questions or concerns about insurance. A broker represents a variety of plans and is able to tailor policies to particular needs such as those specified by the State Department. One such local broker can be found here.