Insurance Vaden Health Services
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.
Note
Select Student Services & Academics then select Student Health box and select question template "Inquire about health insurance/Cardinal Care"
Student Health Matters 2025-2026
Student Health Matters is your guide to caring for your health while at Stanford University. This guide covers entrance and returning health requirements; offers an introduction to Vaden Health Center, the University's student health clinic; and explains the mandatory health insurance requirement. Deadlines apply, so please read the following information carefully.
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.
