The list below will assist you in comparing your current health insurance policy, or any other plan you may be considering as an alternative to Cardinal Care. While your plan does not need to meet all of the Cardinal Care points of comparison in the table (because Cardinal Care is a very comprehensive plan), it will need to meet all of the university’s minimum requirements in order to successfully waive enrollment in Cardinal Care.
Minimum Health Insurance Coverage Requirements
(Cardinal Care Waiver Criteria)
- Covers the entire academic year (September 1 through August 31). Gaps in coverage are not allowed.
- Covers inpatient and outpatient medical care in the San Francisco Bay Area (with strong preference for access to Stanford University Medical Center and/or Sutter Health providers)
- Covers inpatient and outpatient mental health care in the San Francisco Bay Area (with strong preference for access to Stanford University Medical Center and/or Sutter Health providers)
- Has an annual deductible of $1,000 USD or less (some employer plans may be exempted from this requirement)
- Has an annual out of pocket maximum of $9,100 USD or less (some employer plans may be exempted from this requirement)
- Provides the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) with no annual or lifetime maximums
- Covers 100% of Preventive Care as defined by the PPACA
- Contains no exclusions for pre-existing conditions
- Offers prescription drug coverage.
- Offers coverage for non-emergency as well as emergency care.
- Has a lifetime aggregate maximum benefit of at least $2,000,000 USD, OR a maximum per condition/per lifetime benefit of $500,000 USD
Other Points of Comparison
- Annual premium $7,128
- Annual out of pocket maximum of $2,000 or less
- Includes dental coverage
- Provides worldwide coverage and international assistance locating qualified medical care
- Provides international assistance for emergency medical evacuation
- Has a local office that provides customer assistance specifically for Stanford students (Vaden Health Center’s Insurance and Referral Office staff are knowledgeable about Cardinal Care and are available to help!)
Additional Considerations for International Students
All international students will need to show proof medical evacuation coverage to the insured’s home country in the amount of $50,000 and proof repatriation coverage to the insured’s home country in the amount of $25,000. If your insurance plan meets all other requirements, then you can purchase medical evacuation coverage, and the waiver will be approved. J Visa holders will need to have an insurance deductible of $500 or less. (This is in line with US State Department guidelines). International students will also need to submit a copy of their Visa with the waiver request. This will be so each J Visa student’s deductible can be audited correctly. All policy documents will need to be in English and all monetary values will need to be expressed in U.S. dollars.