Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2022 is now closed. Your next opportunity to change plans, and add or drop dependents from coverage is when you experience a qualifying life event or during the next Open Enrollment in the fall.

Enrolling in Stanford benefits as a new hire

• When to enroll: You have 31 days from your hire date to enroll in or waive your 2022 benefits through the My Benefits portal. Coverage begins on your date of hire for most benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Default coverage: If you do not elect or waive benefits, you will be enrolled in default coverage for yourself, at a cost to you. Default coverage for full-time employees is the Healthcare + Savings HDHP medical plan, Delta Dental Basic PPO plan, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability and Business Travel Accident insurance.
• Adding dependents to coverage: You have 31 days from your hire date to enroll dependents in coverage. Read more about how to certify dependents

What's changing, what's staying the same for 2022

The lowest-cost plan for 2022 is the Kaiser HMO, which continues to be free to full-time employees for employee-only coverage. Your contributions under the Healthcare + Savings HDHP decreased for 2022. Employee contributions did not increase for Kaiser HMO, Trio or ACA Basic HDHP. While we work to keep plan premiums low, the rising cost of health care is impacting the cost for the Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA), and employee contributions for this plan increased in 2022.

Stanford increased its Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution

For Healthcare + Savings HDHP participants, Stanford’s contribution to the HSA in 2022 has increased to $850 for employee-only coverage and $1,700 for family coverage. The IRS annual contribution limits have increased to $3,650 for employee-only coverage and $7,300 for family coverage. The IRS limits combine employee and employer contributions.

Concierge health care support for HDHP members

During 2022, those enrolled in the Healthcare + Savings HDHP or ACA Basic HDHP have access to a concierge service through Included Health (formerly known as Grand Rounds) , helping you navigate your health insurance, resolve claims, get a second opinion, find great doctors and more. Your Included Health personal care team will be available 24/7 to support you in making good healthcare decisions throughout the year. Learn more

View 2022 Employee Contributions

Learn about your Stanford benefits

Compare your plan options

Review the Medical Plan Comparison on Cardinal at Work to explore the features of each plan in relation to cost, access to care and tax savings opportunities.

• View the PDF
• View the text-only version of the infographic

What can I buy with my HSA and FSA?

You can use your tax-free dollars to pay for doctor’s office visits, emergency room costs, hospital bills, prescription drugs, out-of-pocket dental costs, over-the-counter products, face masks, and more.

• View the PDF
• View the text-only version of the infographic

Employees with an FSA can access their full unused balance from 2021

You can once again access your full, unused balance from your 2021 FSAs, including: health care FSAs, dependent day care FSAs and Child Care Subsidy Grants. Ordinary "use it or lose it" rules are expected to be reinstated at the end of 2022, meaning you won't be able to carry over your full unused balance into 2023.

Reminders

• Every year, you must renew: health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and Medical Contribution Assistance Program (MCAP). These benefits do not automatically roll over.
• Waive coverage: Employees who don’t need medical coverage through Stanford next year may waive coverage during Open Enrollment.
• Only during Open Enrollment: Outside of your new hire window, you can only enroll in critical illness insurance and pre-paid legal services during Open Enrollment.