Suggestions about Health Insurance

12 comments

1. Talk to the institution funding your research.

2. Talk to whatever organization is employing or sponsoring you staying here. Health insurance here isn’t like going to target for toilet paper and cat food, it’s regional and often depends on who you work for. If there’s no option to get it through your research organization then you can search for plans on healthcare.gov

3. I would check with Stanford as they might provide coverage to visiting students. That would probably be the best

   You could also start with Covered California which is the state run health insurance exchange. [If you fall in one of these categories ](https://www.coveredca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility/immigration-status/) it looks like you could just pay for a health plan month to month while you’re here. Bronze level is the cheapest but you pay through the nose if you use it. Silver and Gold level is more balanced. If you go this route, select Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, or Kaiser.

4. Talk to Stanford.

5. I would be floored if Stanford did *not* have an office, or at least a small team of people, specifically dedicated to helping students from abroad deal with matters just like this. You should check with the university and they can most likely provide you information on that. When I left the US to study for a while, I had a pre-prepared plan I could select if I wanted to (however, this was also because it was compulsory to abide by my student visa to have insurance, so that may have been part of the reason the school got a prepared plan ready. I am not aware entirely of US immigration laws in that regard, but I imagine there is something like that). I’m sure an institution of the caliber of Stanford has something comparable.

   Health insurance in the US is a convoluted nightmare to navigate, especially for a foreigner. Universities know this, and would be glad to help you.

6. Go through your school. The Stanford people should be able to point in the right direction, or even have a program for foreign students in your situation.

7. It is unlikely you’d find any insurance that would fully pay for all services rendered, unless you or your employer are going to pay a very large premium.

   Talk to Stanford, I’m sure they’d be able to help you navigate this better than Reddit

8. Stanford should have student health insurance policies.

9. See r/healthinsurance. Lots of knowledgeable people hang out there.

   Do check with Stanford, which probably has an office for foreign students.

10. Stanford should have a student health insurance plan.

11. [Cardinal Care, the university sponsored health insurance option, is a comprehensive plan specifically designed for Stanford students.](https://vaden.stanford.edu/insurance-referral-office/cardinal-care-overview-benefits)

    Medical benefits are administered by Health Net of California, mental health benefits are administered by Managed Health Network (MHN), a Health Net company, and dental benefits are administered by Delta Dental of California.

    Comprehensive, worldwide coverage, including medical and mental health care, hospitalization, emergency care, and most pharmaceuticals.
    Services by referral at Stanford Healthcare.
    Enrollment in Cardinal Care is an annual commitment, with fees that are charged over three academic quarters (Autumn, Winter, Spring) for the annual period for most students. The full plan year runs September 1 through August 31.

12. your best option is Stanford’s student health insurance plan, [Cardinal Care](https://vaden.stanford.edu/insurance-referral-office/cardinal-care-overview-benefits).

    You should contact your advisor/coordinator and ask them who to talk to for help with healthcare; Stanford almost certainly has someone whose entire job is helping international students/researchers get settled and navigate visa/insurance issues.