How Do I Use My Insurance for Therapy?
You can contact your insurance plan directly to request details of your coverage and referral options. Info on this page can help you do this.
I Would Like Assistance Navigating My Mental Health Benefits
You are encouraged to connect with CAPS for support from a CAPS provider and to obtain support to connect to referrals on your Cardinal Care plan. If you have met with a CAPS provider before, you can message your CAPS provider on the Vaden Portal to request help with referrals.
CAPS also has personal Referral Coordination services available to students who do not have Cardinal Care and could benefit from more in-depth personal consultation to find a therapist or psychiatrist outside of CAPS and other relevant resources. If you think you may benefit from referral assistance, call 650.723.3785 and inform the CAPS Front Desk staff about your interest in off-campus referrals.
I Have Cardinal Care Insurance
Wellfleet is the insurer for Stanford Student Cardinal Care. Mental health services are covered with a $35 copay for visits if you see an in-network provider. Services with an out-of-network provider are able to be be reimbursed at the Stanford Wellfleet out-of-network benefit reimbursement level outlined in Student Health Matters.
You do not need a referral to see a therapist or psychiatrist.
Locally and in California
You can search for providers directly on Wellfleet site here. For California providers, you would select “Blue Shield of California PPO Network” as your plan.
You can also search on the Welltrack connect platform, where many local providers list their practices. On this site, you are able to review more provider information and send messages to providers directly. To find providers, follow instructions for the site. Under insurance, check two boxes: “Blue Sheild of California PPO” and “Wellfleet Stanford – SHIP”. This search will give you in-network results and options in California.
Out of State
Your Cardinal Care behavioral health plan outside of California is Cigna PPO and it is a national plan. You can find providers directly on the Cardinal Care Wellfleet site here.
I Have Different Insurance
This is a general guide for students with non-Cardinal Care insurance who need assistance understanding their mental health benefits and obtaining referrals.
You can always meet with a CAPS provider for support, and CAPS also offers personalized Referral Coordination services to help you understand your benefits and find providers. To access these supports, call 650-723-3785 M-F 8:30-5:00 and let the CAPS front desk know what you are seeking. You may wish to have an appt with a therapist for brief therapy support and referral guidance, or you may prefer an appointment with CAPS Referral Coordinator to focus specifically on understanding your insurance benefits and finding an in-network provider.
Many students use both options--meeting with a CAPS therapist and connecting with the Referral Coordinator as well.
Guidance for searching for providers on your insurance:
Each insurance company has its own system in place, but the procedure for obtaining referrals is common to many insurance plans. If you are not sure what benefits you have under your plan, we have made some guidelines to help you get that information.
If you already know your benefits and are seeking providers who take your insurance, you can search Welltrack Connect as well as other sites under “Options for Care Outside of CAPS” to find local providers who accept your insurance. On the site, check the box for your insurance and location, and click "search." Always message the provider to confirm they are currently accepting your insurance prior to scheduling an appointment.
Instructions
Check below for specific instructions detailing how to: