Health & Life Plans
Our high-quality health care and life insurance options are as diverse as the Stanford workforce, and reflective of their needs.
Medical Plans
Stanford’s medical plans provide coverage for preventative care, preexisting conditions, prescription drugs, as well as mental health services. Plans for active employees have two types of fee structures. Each type of plan is compatible with a tax-advantaged savings or spending account you may use to pay for eligible medical expenses.
Stanford Health Care (SHC) and Aetna are currently engaged in contract renewal negotiations. The existing SHC contract with Aetna is set to expire on November 1, 2024. During these negotiations, there will be no interruption in accessing SHC providers or services. If negotiations extend past November 1, both SHC and Aetna have assured us that you can continue to access providers and receive services at SHC at the current contracted rates. We fully expect an agreement to be reached. However, please be aware that negotiations can sometimes take longer than anticipated.
Plans with a copay
You pay a fixed fee when you use services. For services to be covered, you must stay “in network.”
Plans with a deductible
You pay the cost of your services until you meet a deductible and then the plan begins to share the costs with “co-insurance.” You can see any provider but will save more when you stay “in network.”
Stanford Choice High Deductible Health Plan | ACA Basic High Deductible Health Plan
Dental & Vision Plans
Delta Dental Plans
We provide a choice of two Delta Dental plans to meet your family’s needs. Compare coverage and costs for services.
Learn More about Dental PlansVision Plan
Health plans cover basic eye exams. For more eye care benefits, including coverage for glasses and contacts, consider adding the VSP plan to your coverage.
Learn More about Vision PlansHealth Savings & Spending Accounts
Health Savings Account (HSA)
When you are enrolled in the Healthcare + Savings Plan or ACA Basic High Deductible plan you can reimburse yourself for eligible medical expenses with your before-tax dollars and, if eligible, a university contribution.
Learn More about HSAFlexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Set aside before-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses through a health care FSA. Stanford also provides a dependent care FSA limited to expenses related to dependent care.
Learn More about FSAsSpecialized Care
Mental & Emotional Health
You and your family have access to mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse care through the university's Faculty Staff Help Center, your university-sponsored medical plan, and other employee programs.
Midi Health
The only virtual clinic created for women 40+, Midi delivers expert care for perimenopause, menopause, and more.
Inflection & Reproductive Care
All benefits-eligible employees may access Inflection (formerly called Fertility IQ), a free service that provides reliable and unbiased resources to help you on your fertility journey.
LGBTQ+ Care
Find general guidance on key benefits and how to best navigate the system when seeking care and support.
Life & Accident Insurance
Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
As a Stanford employee, you are automatically enrolled in basic life insurance. You can purchase supplemental life insurance for yourself or a dependent.
Learn More about Life InsuranceCritical Illness Insurance
An unexpected medical event could be costly. We offer an optional benefit to ease the burden of expenses not typically covered by health or disability plans.
Learn More about Critical Illness InsuranceAccidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
In addition to life insurance, AD&D can be an effective way to purchase substantial amounts of additional coverage at a reasonable cost, using before-tax dollars.
Learn More about AD&DTraveling & Working Abroad
Traveling Abroad
Learn what your medical plan will cover when you travel internationally.
Learn More about Traveling AbroadStanford Benefits Travel Checklist
Actions you should take before you leave home.
View ChecklistCigna Short-Term International Plan
If you are on U.S. payroll but plan to work abroad for 180 days or less, you can temporarily enroll in this plan.
Learn More about Cigna Plan