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Please note: These pages are maintained only intermittently. Some links may be out of date. Although this material is not rigorously maintained, we provide it in the hopes you might find some of it useful.

[Transportation, Commuting, and Traveling] [Housing and Moving] [International Visitors Information] [Academic Life at the DSG] [Living in Boston] [Entertainment, Culture, and Dining]

Living in Boston

[Health Care and Insurance] [Health Insurance for DSG Fellows] [Opening a Bank Account] [Obtaining a Credit History] [Taxes] [Obtaining a Drivers License] [Shopping for Food and Everything Else] [Postal and Courier Services] [Other Useful Boston-area links]

Health Care and Insurance

Health care can be very expensive in the US, and we strongly suggest that all our staff members and visitors enroll in health insurance plans that provide good medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Health Insurance for DSG Fellows

Health insurance is provided as part of the NLM sponsorship of Medical Informatics Fellows. It is the responsibility of the individual Fellow to apply for this coverage. Fellows with dependent family members are allowed to obtain family coverage but are required to pay for the amount of the premium that exceeds the cost of individual coverage. The individual premium is paid from the NLM grant, which is administered by Ms. Keiko Oh, the administrator for the Harvard/MIT Health Sciences and Technology Division. She can be contacted at:

Ms. Keiko Oh
Harvard/MIT HST
Building E-25, Room 518
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307

Phone: (617) 253-3609
FAX: (617) 253-6692

e-mail: keiko@wccf.mit.edu There are three plans for which Fellows are eligible to apply. Those in a Degree program are not eligible for the MIT Traditional Health Plan, because of the additional cost, but may apply for either of the other two. The coverage they provide is similar. These are:

  1. Harvard Student/Affiliate Health Plan. This is an HMO plan managed by the Harvard University Health Service and underwritten by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. For the 1998 - 99 academic year, it is the most affordable of the three plans. ($1,246/year for an individual, $3,053/year for a couple, $4,253/year for a couple and 1 child, and $4,633/year for a couple and two or more children). You must enroll within the first 30 days of your fellowship or during the open enrollment period from 9/1 - 9/30. Current pricing and details of coverage can be obtained from:

    2. University Health Services
    Harvard University
    75 Mount Auburn Street
    Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138-4960
    Phone: (617) 495-2008
    URL: http://www.uhs.harvard.edu

  2. MIT Affiliate Health Plan. This is the next most affordable plan. It is an HMO plan managed by MIT Medical and underwritten by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The cost of individual coverage for the 1998 - 99 academic year is $1,512/year and for a couple with two or more children is $5,592/year. The minimum enrollment period is for three months. To apply, you must have a letter signed by Dr. Greenes which states your name, title, and length of appointment as a Fellow. Current pricing and coverage can be obtained from:

    Ms. Danielle Noonan
    Affiliate Health Program
    MIT, Room E23-308
    77 Massachusetts Avenue
    Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307
    Phone: (617) 253-4371
    FAX: (617) 253-6558

    e-mail: noon@med.mit.edu


  3. MIT Traditional Health Plan. Slightly better coverage than the Affiliate Health Plan for slightly more money. The plan is not available to Degree Students in HST, because of the additional cost ($2,220/year single and $6,000/year for a couple with two or more children). To apply, you must have a letter signed by Dr. Greenes which states your name, title, and length of appointment as a Fellow. Current pricing and coverage can be obtained from Ms. Danielle Noonan at the above address.

Opening a Bank Account

Obtaining a Credit History

Building a credit history and obtaining a Credit Card: Try to ask for a credit card from the bank you are opening an account with. There are also options of putting in a deposit and getting a credit card with a limit that matches the amount you have deposited.

Always look around for a "good rate". Low introductory rates are offered by many credit card agencies.

If you are a BWH employee, you can also become a member of the Medical Area Federal Credit Union (MAFCU) and apply for a credit card through them. MAFCU also offers low interest personal loans.

Taxes

Obtaining a Drivers License

Why useful - serves as a photo ID and an official document of your proof of age. So long as you do not have a drivers license, you will need to carry your passport for this purpose.

Procedure: first obtain a learners permit. The learners test is a computerized/written test of road and driving rules and regulations. Passing this will allow you to drive, however, you must be accompanied by a licensed operator who occupies the passenger seat next to you. A licensed operator is someone who is at least 18 years of age, holds a valid driver's license from Massachusetts or another state, and has at least one year of driving experience. Check out your nearest RMV locations. Then you need to take a road test. Schedule in ahead of time, since usually there is a waiting list.

Tips from our alumni:

Shopping for Food and Everything Else

Postal and Courier Services

Other Useful Boston-area links


This page is auto-generated. Last update: 05:54 PM EST Fri 21 Jan 2000