Campus Health Service Fee
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Overview
Beginning fall quarter of 2009, Stanford University will institute a Campus Health Service Fee for many of the services provided at Vaden Health Center. The fee is mandatory for all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled on the Stanford campus, including visiting researchers and students who participate in high school summer programs that result in course credit at Stanford.
This fee is being implemented to allow the university to maintain valuable health services for students in the face of the unprecedented current economic downturn. It is similar to fees found at many of Stanford’s peer institutions.
In addition, students are required to maintain health insurance to cover the costs of specialty care, prescriptions, emergency and inpatient care and other off-campus health services. This requirement can be met either by purchasing Cardinal Care (Stanford’s student health insurance plan) or an alternative insurance plan that has comparable benefits to Cardinal Care.
Amount of the fee
The fee will be $167 per quarter for the 2009-10 academic year. The amount of the fee will be subject to annual review and adjustment.
Services covered by the fee
The following services are covered by the fee, and are distinct from those covered by Cardinal Care or a student’s private health insurance.
Primary Care medical services at Vaden Health Center, including
- Medical appointments during weekday hours
- Urgent care at Vaden Health Center during weekend and evening hours
- 24-hour telephone medical advice for urgent conditions
- Confidential web-based messaging to a student’s clinician
- Web-based booking of weekday appointments
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), including
- Psychological evaluation and short-term therapy
- Initial psychiatric medication evaluation
- 24-hour crisis services
Health and Wellness programs
- Alcohol and other drug evaluation and education
- Nutrition counseling and education
- Sexual health and relationships consultation and education
- Sexual assault and relationship abuse consultation and education
- Peer health education programs and services
Services not covered by the fee
Students will be charged at the time of service for each of the following services at Vaden Health Center.
- Pharmacy prescriptions and other medications
- Physical Therapy treatment
- Travel Clinic visits and vaccinations
- Allergy, Immunization, and Injection Clinic services
- Immunizations and tests to meet Stanford’s entrance medical requirements
- Long term therapy at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Psychiatric medication management at CAPS
- Physical examinations for employment, special programs, or other purposes
- Medical specialty consultations at Vaden Health Center (e.g, Dermatology)
These services, as well as all health care received outside of Vaden Health Center are the student’s financial responsibility. Charges may be covered by the student’s health insurance, either Cardinal Care (university-sponsored health insurance plan) or privately-obtained insurance.
Students required to pay the fee
- Enrolled Undergraduate
- Enrolled Graduate (including Terminal Graduate Registration)
- EXCEPT SCPD Honors Cooperative
- EXCEPT Master of Liberal Arts (MLA)
- Enrolled Professional
- Summer Session (including high school students)
- Auditors paying tuition
- Visiting Researchers
- Permit to Attend – (PSO) Terminal Undergraduate
- High School Student (non-summer)
- EXCEPT If enrollment is less than half-time
- Graduate non-matriculated study
- Other non-matriculated programs
Students not required to pay the fee
- SCPD - Honors Cooperative (HCO) and non-degree (NDO)
- Master of Liberal Arts (MLA)
- Exchange and Cross Enrollment Agreements
- Bing Stanford in Washington
- Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP)
- Hopkins Marine Station
- Postdoctoral Scholar (unless the Scholar is also matriculated in a Stanford degree program)
- Medical Fellows
- Medical Exchange (Clerkships)
FAQ's
Click on a questions below to see the answer
Why This Fee is Being Implemented
Why is this fee being implemented?
Stanford University is facing unprecedented financial challenges due to the current economic downturn. As the cost of health care continues to increase faster than inflation, the Campus Health Service Fee is being implemented to allow the university to maintain its commitment to providing valuable health services for students. The fee is similar to fees found at many of Stanford’s peer institutions.
Why doesn’t tuition cover these costs?
The university determined that it would raise tuition modestly, 3.5 percent for the 2009/2010 academic year. That increase does not make up for increases in costs, nor for budget shortfalls campus wide. This fee will help preserve access to valuable health services for students.
I rarely use the services at Vaden. Why should I be charged this fee?
Vaden Health Center offers a broad set of services which are ready for students when they need them. The university determined that it is important for students' well being and success to maintain access to those services, even in the face of the unprecedented current economic downturn. To be equitable the university decided to charge all students currently on campus and eligible to use the services. This is far better than charging only ill and injured students a visit fee at the time of service, which would deter some students from seeking necessary care.
Exceptions and Financial Aid
Can I waive the fee?
The Campus Health Service Fee is mandatory for all enrolled students who are required to pay the fee (see list above). A Campus Health Service Fee exemption may be requested by enrolled students who are living outside of the Bay Area for the entire quarter and who therefore cannot access Vaden Health Center. The Bay Area is defined as Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, or Sonoma counties. To request an exemption, complete and submit a specialized HelpSU ticket here.
What if I study abroad, at Bing Stanford in Washington, or Hopkins Marine Station?
The Campus Health Service Fee is charged to students enrolled on the main Stanford campus. While you are enrolled at another Stanford campus, you are not charged the fee, even though you may be paying other Stanford charges, such as tuition. This is true of students enrolled in Bing Overseas Studies Program, Bing Stanford in Washington and Hopkins Marine Station. Students who are studying outside of the Bay Area for the entire quarter may request a Campus Health Service Fee exemption by clicking here.
I am a graduate student away from campus for a quarter or more. Will I have to pay the fee?
A Campus Health Service Fee exemption may be requested by enrolled students who are living outside of the Bay Area for the entire quarter. The Bay Area is defined as Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, or Sonoma counties. Students will directly request the exemption through the Student Services Center via a customized, precategorized HelpSU ticket by clicking here. The HelpSU ticket will require that the student answer several questions to confirm their eligibility for the exemption.
Besides my department, are there any other University resources to help me pay this fee?
A new Graduate Student Aid Fund has been established for 2009-2010 that will assist a limited number of graduate students who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the new Campus Health Service Fee. Interested students will be asked to complete the loan application process with the Financial Aid Office to establish financial need. Applications will be accepted beginning in July. More detailed information will be available at http://financialaid.stanford.edu/grad/funding/other.
In addition, the existing Emergency Grant-in-Aid Fund continues to be available for students experiencing financial hardship due to unanticipated expenses or a financial emergency (medical, dental, legal, etc.). Information is available at the same site.
I am a graduate student with funding from my program, department or fellowship. Will the fee be covered?
It will depend upon the source and type of support you receive. Some departments and some sources of funding will cover the fee, but many will not. Please consult with your department's student services administrator.
I am a graduate student using federal student loans to finance my educational costs. Can my loan eligibility be adjusted to reflect this fee?
Yes, as a mandatory fee, the costs are included in the calculation of your eligibility for loans.
I am an undergraduate currently receiving University scholarship funds. Will my financial aid be increased to cover the fee?
Yes, the Campus Health Service Fee will be included in your Cost of Attendance used to calculate financial aid eligibility. If you have already received an award notification for 2009-2010 that did not include the fee, you will be receiving a revision during the summer.
Your Health Insurance and the Campus Health Service Fee
I have Cardinal Care. Do I have to pay this fee?
Yes, the Campus Health Service Fee covers the cost of services at Vaden Health Center not covered by Cardinal Care such as primary care visits, CAPS evaluation and short-term therapy, and health and wellness programs. Students need either private insurance or Cardinal Care to cover the cost of services outside of Vaden
If I purchase Cardinal Care and pay the Campus Health Service Fee, am I paying for the same services twice?
No, Cardinal Care and the Campus Health Service Fee cover two distinct sets of services, and they do not overlap.
Cardinal Care was designed to meet students’ needs beyond the core services provided at Vaden Health Center. Cardinal Care services include specialty care, prescriptions, emergency and inpatient care and other off-campus health services.
The Campus Health Service Fee covers most services at Vaden Health Center, including primary care visits, CAPS evaluation and short-term therapy, and health and wellness programs. These services were previously supported by university general funds.
I have purchased Cardinal Care while unregistered for summer quarter. Do I have to pay the fee?
No, the fee is charged only when paying tuition to Stanford University. However, students will be charged at the time of service for each service used at Vaden.
I have my own insurance plan. Do I have to pay this fee?
Yes, the Campus Health Service Fee covers the cost of most services at Vaden Health Center, which you may use regardless of your private insurance coverage. You need your private insurance (or Cardinal Care, the University-sponsored insurance plan) to cover the cost of other services, including those outside of Vaden.
I have my own insurance plan. Does Vaden Health Center bill my private insurance for primary medical care visits?
No, these services were previously supported by university general funds and will be supported by the Campus Health Service Fee beginning in September 2009. Vaden Health Center does not bill private insurance carriers for primary care visits, CAPS evaluation and short-term therapy, and health and wellness programs.
Details
How will it appear on the University bill?
The fee will appear on a student’s university bill at the beginning of each quarter for which the student is charged tuition.
What if I take a leave of absence in the middle of the quarter?
The Campus Health Service Fee is billed quarterly and is not pro-rated. There will not be a refund of these charges.
I am a student who is not required to pay the fee. Can I still come to Vaden?
Yes, students who are not required to pay the Campus Health Service Fee may use services at Vaden Health Center and will be charged at the time of service for each service used. Charges may be covered by the student's health insurance.
Will I be charged for my prescription at the pharmacy?
Yes, pharmacy services are not covered by the Campus Health Service Fee. Pharmacy charges, like some other services at Vaden, are the student’s responsibility.
I am a spouse/domestic partner of a student. Am I required to pay the Campus Health Service Fee?
No, spouses and domestic partners are not charged the fee. Adult dependents of students may use the services at Vaden Health Center and will be charged at the time of service for each service used.
How to Get More Information
I have additional questions. How can I get more information?
If your question has not been answered above, please contact us at healthfee@stanford.edu.