Medical Resources for Spouses & Dependents

Health Insurance

Due to the high cost of medical care and hospitalization, each couple and family is strongly encouraged to enroll in a medical insurance plan suited to their needs. Information and application forms on several plans offering coverage for the dependents of students and visiting scholars are available at the I-Center. Please note that insurance is mandatory for spouses and dependents of exchange visitors (J visa holders).

Dependent insurance services offered by Stanford University vary according to one’s status.

• Students can get assistance in finding the most appropriate coverage for their dependents from the Student Insurance Office at Vaden Health Center. Visit their website for a list of insurance plans for dependents. For further help, call 723-2135.

• Postdocs can learn about the options for dependent coverage through the Benefits department of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. For details, consult the website and attend a Postdoc Orientation, held every Wednesday at 11 a.m.

• Spouses of Stanford students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting scholars, may receive medical treatment at the Vaden Health Center at 866 E. Campus Dr., on a fee-for-service basis, at a discounted rate. For information and appointments, call 49V-ADEN or 498-2336 or check Vaden’s website.

Immunization Clinics

The Allergy/Immunization Clinic is held Tuesdays and Fridays at the Vaden Health Center. The Pediatric Immunization Clinic is held by appointment only. For information and appointments call 498-2336.

Health Care Resources

There is a wealth of medical resources in the Stanford area. To find a physician you can consult the yellow pages of the telephone directory, under “Physicians”.

A full range of medical treatment and services is offered at clinics such as

•Palo Alto Medical Foundation

•Stanford Hospital and Clinics

•El Camino Hospital in Mountain View

•Menlo Medical Clinic in Menlo Park

You may also wish to consult colleagues for references to physicians they recommend.

For a more detailed description of medical resources, visit the Resource Center for International Families, and see the Orientation Handbook on the I-Center website.

For health emergencies, you have a variety of options, depending on the severity of the situation. For severe emergencies, call 911 to reach Fire/Police/ or Medical Aid (from campus phones, dial 9-911) or go to the Emergency Room of the nearest hospital. For non life-threatening emergency care, you can go directly to the Urgent Care Center at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. 7 days a week. Adult Urgent Care: 650 853-2958; Pediatric Urgent Care: 650 853-2992.

The Health Library at Stanford provides scientifically based medical information to help people make informed decisions about their health and health care.

Resources for children’s health, development and behavioral concerns are offered via telephone calls to the Parent Information & Referral Center at the Lucile Packard Children’s Health Services at Stanford. You may call between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. any day. Translation services and a list of local physicians are offered. From the 650 area, call 498-KIDS or 498-5437. From other area codes call 1-800-690-2282.