Health and Other Benefits

All registered Stanford postdoctoral scholars are eligible to receive benefits. For details, please see the main Benefits page. Enrollment is not automatic, and the enrollment must be finalized within 30 days of starting the postdoctoral appointment. Please attend a Benefits Orientation, which is held every every Thursday morning, 9:00 - 11:45 a.m., at 1215 Welch Road, Modular A, Room 62. At this meeting you will receive an orientation packet with benefit plan information which will be explained in detail by our benefits staff.

Coverage enrollment may be delayed if a scholar does not choose a medical plan within the first 30 days of the postdoctoral appointment. In addition, if the enrollment process is not completed within the first 30 days, you will not be able to enroll in the dental plan until the Open Enrollment period (in November each year). 

You are required by the University to have medical coverage, but you may choose the plan.  Most scholars are on the CIGNA plan offered through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Required: Automatic Deduction of Premiums

Postdoctoral scholars who pay for coverage of their dependents, or who elect the PPO medical plan, will be part of this program. Deductions of premium payments will be made automatically directly from the scholar’s checking account around the 7th of each month of coverage. Come to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to complete and sign the required authorization form (you will also need to bring a personal voided check). A voided check must be attached to the signed authorization to start your deduction.