Stanford
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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.

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Plans with a copay

You pay a fixed fee when you use services. For services to be covered, you must stay “in network.”

Kaiser HMO | Stanford Select Copay Health Plan

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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 Plans

Vision 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 Plans

Health Savings & Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account (HSA)

When you are enrolled in the Stanford Choice High Deductible Health 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 HSA

Flexible 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 FSAs

Specialized 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. 

Learn more about mental health care

Midi Health

The only virtual clinic created for women 40+, Midi delivers expert care for perimenopause, menopause, and more. 

Learn more about Midi Health

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. 

Learn more about Inflection

LGBTQ+ Care

Find general guidance on key benefits and how to best navigate the system when seeking care and support. 

Learn more about LGBTQ+ care

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 Insurance

Critical 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 Insurance

Accidental 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&D

Traveling & Working Abroad

Stanford Benefits Travel Checklist

Actions you should take before you leave home. 

View Checklist

Cigna 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