Cardinal Care
Cardinal Care Benefits
Cardinal Care is a comprehensive health plan specifically designed for Stanford students. Coverage is worldwide. It 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) and MHN (for mental health benefits).
For a brief review of 2012 - 2013 Cardinal Care benefits, refer to the Cardinal Care Brochure 2012 - 2013 (PDF)
Medical Benefits - Coverage Options
When seeking medical care, Cardinal Care allows you to choose where to get your health care. The level of reimbursement depends on where you receive treatment. Choose from one of the following options:
- Tier 1: Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic
When you receive treatment from Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic with a referral from your Vaden Health Center clinician, you pay only a $20 co-payment and Cardinal Care covers the balance. (A co-payment is the fee you pay each time you receive a service.)
- Tier 2: Any Health Net Preferred Provider (including Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic)
When you receive treatment from any Health Net preferred provider, Cardinal Care pays 80% of your eligible expenses after you pay a $200 annual deductible. (A deductible is the amount you pay each year before Cardinal Care begins reimbursing services.) This tier allows you to use Stanford University Medical Center or Menlo Medical Clinic without a referral from your Vaden Health Center clinician.
Students should follow the directions on the individualized ID card when accessing health care off campus.
For more information on medical benefits, call (800) 250-5226 (Health Net of California).
For a more detailed review of the Medical Plan, go to www.healthnet.com/cardinalcare and look at My Plan Details under the Cardinal Care tab.
Mental Health Benefits
Effective with the start of the 2012-13 plan year, the mental health care administrator has transitioned from ValueOptions, Inc., to Managed Health Network, MHN, a Health Net company. MHN has a local and national network of mental health clinicians. For more information, please visit the Health Net site. The greatest benefits (and lowest costs to students) occur when you first seek care at Vaden Health Center - Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), but you may also access care from an MHN provider directly.
Students should follow the directions on the individualized ID card when accessing health care off campus. Forms for reimbursment can be found online here.
Cardinal Care Information
- Medical and mental health benefits
- Enrollment
- Cost and coverage dates
- For undergraduate parents
- Graduate student subsidy
- How to waive Cardinal Care and deadline to waive
- FAQs