So ready for the coming trips

Ahhhhhhhhh.... I got my driving license yesterday. So lucky to get it at my first time road test. And all this I need to thank for my super husband who coached me with immense patience for the parallel parking and also encouraged me that I definitely would make it. :D

Now I'm preparing everything for the coming two trips in this summer:

The first one will be our trip to Fallingwater/Pennsylvania, Indianapolis/Indiana, St. Louis/Missouri, Louisville/Kentucky, Cincinnatti & Columbus/Ohio from 5/31 to 6/8. I'm totally excited about all these places because it's not the touristic spots that everyone would go and see. Maybe could be not so exciting compared to big cities like NYC, SF, DC, LA, but I'm eager to experience all the charms and difference among them.

The second one will be more complicate and longer. I'll go to NYC on 6/14 to meet my mom, sister and little niece and then we'll spend one week in NYC and Boston before back to DC. I'll take them to see DC downtown, Annapolis, Baltimore and then fly to New Mexico on 7/1. OLE!

Grand Canyon, White Sands National Park, Santa Fe, Taos, Vegas, L.A..... unbelievable great places to enjoy this summer with my family.

Now my heart is flying already.... Oh, I so love it. :D

USA health insurance plans

There are three basic types of managed care health insurance plans: (1) HMOs, (2) PPOs, and (3) POS plans.

HMOs
A health maintenance organization (HMO) is a type of managed healthcare system. HMOs, and their close cousins, preferred provider organizations (PPOs), share the goal of reducing healthcare costs by focusing on preventative care and implementing utilization management controls.

Unlike many traditional insurers, HMOs do not merely provide financing for medical care. The HMO actually delivers the treatment as well. Doctors, hospitals, and insurers all participate in the business arrangement known as an HMO.

HMOs provide medical treatment on a prepaid basis, which means that HMO members pay a fixed monthly fee, regardless of how much medical care is needed in a given month. In return for this fee, most HMOs provide a wide variety of medical services, from office visits to hospitalization and surgery. With a few exceptions, HMO members must receive their medical treatment from physicians and facilities within the HMO network. The size of this network varies depending on the individual HMO.

When you join an HMO, you choose a primary care physician (PCP) who is your first contact for all medical care needs. The primary care physician provides your general medical care and must be consulted before you can see a specialist. Because of this control system, HMO costs tend to increase less rapidly than other insurance plans.

Advantages of HMOs
Low out-of-pocket costs
With most types of insurance, you are responsible for paying a percentage of the bill every time you receive medical care. Additionally, there may be a deductible that must be met before insurance starts picking up the tab. In contrast, HMO members pay a fixed monthly fee, regardless of how much medical care is needed in a given month. Instead of deductibles, HMOs often have nominal co-payments.

Focus on wellness and preventative care
By reducing out-of-pocket costs and paperwork, HMOs encourage members to seek medical treatment early, before health problems become severe. Additionally, many HMOs offer health education classes and discounted health club memberships.

Typically no lifetime maximum payout
Unlike most health insurance plans, HMOs generally do not place a limit on your lifetime benefits. The HMO will continue to cover your treatment as long as you are a member.

Disadvantages of HMOs
Tight controls can make it more difficult to get specialized care
As an HMO member, you must choose a primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP provides your general medical care and must be consulted before you seek care from another physician or specialist. This screening process helps to reduce costs both for the HMO and for HMO members, but it can also lead to complications if your PCP doesn't provide the referral you need.

Care from non-HMO providers generally not covered
Except for emergencies occurring outside the HMO's treatment area, HMO members are required to obtain all treatment from HMO physicians. The HMO will not pay for non-emergency care provided by a non-HMO physician. Additionally, there may be a strict definition of what constitutes an emergency.

PPOs
Like an HMO, a preferred provider organization (PPO) is a managed healthcare system. However, there are several important differences between HMOs and PPOs.

A PPO is actually a group of doctors and/or hospitals that provides medical service only to a specific group or association. The PPO may be sponsored by a particular insurance company, by one or more employers, or by some other type of organization. PPO physicians provide medical services to the policyholders, employees, or members of the sponsor(s) at discounted rates and may set up utilization control programs to help reduce the cost of medical care. In return, the sponsor(s) attempts to increase patient volume by creating an incentive for employees or policyholders to use the physicians and facilities within the PPO network.

Rather than prepaying for medical care, PPO members pay for services as they are rendered. The PPO sponsor (employer or insurance company) generally reimburses the member for the cost of the treatment, less any co-payment percentage. In some cases, the physician may submit the bill directly to the insurance company for payment. The insurer then pays the covered amount directly to the healthcare provider, and the member pays his or her co-payment amount. The price for each type of service is negotiated in advance by the healthcare providers and the PPO sponsor(s).

Advantages of PPOs
Free choice of healthcare provider
PPO members are not required to seek care from PPO physicians. However, there is generally strong financial incentive to do so. For example, members may receive 90% reimbursement for care obtained from network physicians but only 60% for non-network treatment. In order to avoid paying an additional 30% out of their own pockets, most PPO members choose to receive their healthcare within the PPO network.

Out-of-pocket costs generally limited
Healthcare costs paid out of your own pocket (e.g., deductibles and co-payments) are limited. Typically, out-of-pocket costs for network care are limited to $1,200 for individuals and $2,100 for families. Out-of-pocket costs for non-network treatment are typically capped at $2,000 for individuals and $3,500 for families.

Disadvantages of PPOs
Less coverage for treatment provided by non-PPO physicians
As mentioned previously, there is a strong financial incentive to use PPO network physicians. For example, members may receive 90% reimbursement for care obtained from network physicians but only 60% for treatment provided by non-network physicians. Thus, if your longtime family doctor is outside of the PPO network, you may choose to continue seeing her, but it will cost you more.

More paperwork and expenses than HMOs
As a PPO member, you may have to fill out paperwork in order to be reimbursed for your medical treatment. Additionally, most PPOs have larger co-payment amounts than HMOs, and you may be required to meet a deductible.

POS plans
A Point of Service (POS) plan is a type of managed healthcare system that combines characteristics of the HMO and the PPO. Like an HMO, you pay no deductible and usually only a minimal co-payment when you use a healthcare provider within your network. You also must choose a primary care physician who is responsible for all referrals within the POS network. If you choose to go outside the network for healthcare, POS coverage functions more like a PPO. You will likely be subject to a deductible (around $300 for an individual or $600 for a family), and your co-payment will be a substantial percentage of the physician's charges (usually 30-40%).

Advantages of POS plans
Maximum freedom
POS coverage allows you to maximize your freedom of choice. Like a PPO, you can mix the types of care you receive. For example, your child could continue to see his pediatrician who is not in the network, while you receive the rest of your healthcare from network providers. This freedom of choice encourages you to use network providers but does not require it, as with HMO coverage.

Minimal co-payment
As with HMO coverage, you pay only a nominal amount for network care. Usually, your co-payment is around $10 per treatment or office visit. Unlike HMO coverage, however, you always retain the right to seek care outside the network at a lower level of coverage.

No deductible
When you choose to use network providers, there is generally no deductible. Thus, coverage begins from the first dollar you spend as long as you stay within the POS network of physicians.

No "gatekeeper" for non-network care
If you choose to go outside the POS network for treatment, you are free to see any doctor or specialist you choose without first consulting your primary care physician (PCP). Of course, you will pay substantially more out-of-pocket charges for non-network care.

Out-of-pocket costs limited
Healthcare costs paid out of your own pocket (i.e., deductibles and co-payments) are typically limited. The average yearly limit for individuals is around $2,400. For families, the average yearly limit is approximately $4,000.

Disadvantages of POS plans
Substantial co-payment for non-network care
As in a PPO, there is generally strong financial incentive to use POS network physicians. For example, your co-payment may be only $10 for care obtained from network physicians, but you could be responsible for up to 40% of the cost of treatment provided by non-network doctors. Thus, if your longtime family doctor is outside of the POS network, you may choose to continue seeing her, but it will cost you more.

Deductible for non-network care
In most cases, you must reach a specified deductible before coverage begins on out-of-network care. On average, individual deductibles are around $300 per year, and the average annual family deductible is about $600. This deductible amount is in addition to the co-payment for out-of-network care.

Tight controls to get specialized care
As in an HMO, you must choose a primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP provides your general medical care and must be consulted before you seek care from another doctor or specialist within the network. This screening process helps to reduce costs both for the POS and for POS members, but it can also lead to complications if your PCP doesn't provide the referral you need.

http://www.agencyinfo.net/iv/medical/types/hmo-ppo-pos.htm

We Contend that Comcast Committed Fraud

Comcast finally dispatched a personnel to pick up the converter box, after my hubby's refusal to return the box on the principle that we are not to waste our own gas nor to pay for another $30 to schedule a pick up. "Lying and cheating Comcast can kiss my ass!" he said, "they stole enough money from us."

We had been trying to talk to Comcast to correct the over charge to no avail, and my sweetest but temperamental honey just had enough, and canned Comcast. And as he had predicted, Comcast continued to try to charge us for "services" after cancellation, and even resorted to collection agencies. My hubby refuted all claims and attempts, and refer to all "documents" written and saved.

Finally a lovely young lady from Comcast came over and cautiously tried to pick up the converter. It was clear that she was somewhat fearful of inciting any psychotic tendency in my sweet man. At the end, she abided to his "polite" request and wrote on the receipt "The customer contends that Comcast committed fraud by over charging."

The young lady asked whether or not we would be interested in returning to Comcast and even mentioned a promotional package, to which my hubby puked "no way in hell ever again." The young lady was very apologetic and I have never seen my hubby showed so much disgust.

Life has been a little better since moving to a different provider। :)

Note: Chinese version: please go to:
http://blog.pixnet.net/polar61/post/17344536

Spring has finally arrived....

up: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland, USA

down: Washington National Cathedral Bishop Garden, D.C., USA

The belated arrival is better than never, and we enjoyed a nice stroll at the local flower gardens. But I wonder if it will bring hay fever to me, a new comer...

My husband said if it is not impacting me in the first year, still possible after a few years. I hope I have the luck of not having it never to enjoy the gorgeous and spirit lifting spring flowers...

Folger Shakespeare Library

What a ball we had at the Shakespeare Festival! I have to say there are very few activities which could be held so as successfully as one at the Folger Shakespeare Library celebrating William Shakespeare's 444th birthday.

It is not necessarily fancy but it has irrepressible spirits. The attendees are clearly in their comfort zone, indulging in the luxurious scent of the Shakespearean age.

The festival inspires us to engage in the beauty of the literature world, not to mention it was simply just a load of fun. We visited the Old Reading Room filled with valuable literatures, we watched a performance by various talented young Shakespearean actors, and we even "followed the queen" in the procession. But the highlight of the day has to be seeing the famed Derek Jacobi in all his glorious eloquence - it was truly an oratory masterpiece we have the fortune to witness.

We truly appreciate Mr. & Mrs. Folger for their generosity and the heritage they helped to preserve will benefit generation after generation.

Shakespeare, whoever you really were... We salute you!
Happy birthday!

Note: For more photos, please go to: http://blog.pixnet.net/polar61/post/17029467

Learning to drive in Maryland

Though I drive for 10 years in my country, now I'm relearning the traffic rules of Maryland. While I'm reading the driver's handbook, I found some rules very amusing:

1. Drivers should be especially alert for and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are deaf, or have physical disabilities... (how can I tell whether pedestrians are deaf?)

2. Avoid eye contact with other drivers (why?)

3. Always come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs (I understood though a full stop at stop signs in an empty parking lot making me feel like a fool. full=fool?)

4. If you should strike and injure a domestic animal with a motor vehicle, the law requires you to immediately notify the police department having jurisdiction in the area where the crash occurred. The police will contact the proper agency to obtain medical care for the animal. (Then why I still see so many road kills without being attended?)

5. Watch the car ahead of you when it passes a reference point, such as a sign or overpass. Then count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four." If you pass the same spot before you are finished counting to one thousand four, you are following too closely. (How about counting one thousand sheep, two thousand sheep, three thousand sheep, four thousand sheep? We are used to counting sheep by all means. :D)

6. We've all seen them - people driving down the road reading the road map or newspaper, shaving, putting on make-up or concentrating on a cell phone conversation. Those are the most obvious examples of driver distraction. (Oh, no! Why police don't fine them much?)

7. You would be better off not driving at all when you are emotionally upset. (No wonder there is less traffic in April tax season.)

8. Avoid abrupt changes in speed or direction. Drive as though you have an egg between your foot and the gas or brake pedal. (Hmmm.... let me imagine that, an egg, huh?)

9. If a collision seems inevitable, do anything to keep from hitting another vehicle; if you have a choice, run your vehicle into a ditch. (If I had a choice, I would rather be able to fly... :P)

10. How to avoid being hit from the rear? If a vehicle follows too closely, slow down and let it pass. (Are you kidding me, then when can I finish my grocery shopping?)

Newseum

Free museum? Sure! Go to Washington D.C. and you'll enjoy bunch of them. But not Newseum! The admission is $20 for adult except the opening day on Apr. 11th. So I definitely cannot miss this chance! Pity that my sweetie cannot come with me because he has more important thing to do: work!

Obviously quite a lot of people think the same as me. Long line queuing outside the museum but who cares? It's free! Each one of us got a Newseum visitor guide which indicates the visitor path, exhibit highlights and each floor map. The booklet still has a lot to improve to be as good as other competition.

Taking the all-glass express elevator is a new experience to me because this OTIS made elevator is the biggest glass elevator I've ever taken though not steady enough as I expected from the brand.


It calls itself the world's most interactive museum, well I don't know about that but I found the Interactive Newsroom the most interactive area of the whole museum.
And the most impressive galleries for me are: Berlin Wall Gallery, Big Screen Theater, News History & Journalists Memorial.

I believe I could spend the whole day in this $450 million built museum if it's not so crowded. It will be fun to read those old time news and media development history. However I did my best spending 3 hours exploring this and that until satisfied.

I'm just curious which city of the world has the most museums ever and what other themes will be taken for the future new museums... Anyway D.C. must be in the top list for sure.

After Newseum, I went to National Gallery again. This time I focus more on Spanish painters like El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo. Not many works there but still good enough... Since it's a Friday there are some painters simulating the masterpieces.

Oh... so nice the spring is here and I can smell it everywhere. It's time to plan many activities to welcome us back alive... OLE!