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Taking Care of Ourselves & Each Other

Health & Well-Being Resources

Geometric design + Tree illustrations by Allison Piwowarski

Insurance & Referral Office

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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 meets Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements established by the university. 

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Note

Select Student Services & Academics then select Student Health box and select question template "Inquire about health insurance/Cardinal Care"

California Insurance Code Notice

California requires residents and their dependents to obtain, and maintain, health coverage or pay a penalty, unless they qualify for an exemption. Enrolling in student health insurance offered by the college or university you are attending is one way to meet this requirement.

You may be eligible to get free or low-cost health coverage through Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. In addition, you may be eligible for free or low-cost health coverage through Covered California. Visit Covered California at www.coveredca.com to learn about health coverage options that are available for you and your dependents, and how you might qualify to get financial assistance with the cost of coverage.

If you are under 26 years of age, you may be eligible for coverage as a dependent in a group health plan of your parent's employer or under your parents' individual market coverage. In addition, you may be eligible to buy individual health insurance directly from a health insurer or health plan, regardless of immigration status.

Please examine your options carefully to see if other options are more affordable and whether you are currently eligible to enroll in these other forms of coverage pursuant to an open or special enrollment period.

Frosh Opening, 2023. Credit: Nikolas Liepins / Ethography
2024-2025 Information

Important Information for 2024-2025 Cardinal Care

We are pleased to present important information regarding the 2024-2025 University health insurance requirement, the benefits offered through Cardinal Care, and the Cardinal Care Enrollment Policy. Additional information includes Travel Assistance when away from campus, and the option for students with Cardinal Care coverage to enroll their dependents in the Dependent Care plan.

Insurance & Referral Office News

FestiFall, 2023. Credit: Anthony Chen/Ethography