Following are some reminders for those who plan to travel during the upcoming months.

First of all, if you're not having your check sent directly to your bank, you may want to consider signing up for direct deposit. This would mean having your funds available to you even when you're not there to cash your checks. More than half of Social Security beneficiaries receive their checks through direct deposit. It is the method of receiving checks recommended by Social Security for convenience, safety and speed.

If you're planning to travel outside the United States, there are facts to know about Medicare coverage. Generally, Medicare does not pay for hospital or medical services outside the U.S. However, there are three exceptions.

Medicare will pay for your care in a qualified Canadian or Mexican hospital if:

You are in the United Sates when an emergency occurs, and a Canadian or Mexican hospital is the closest hospital to the emergency site.
You live in the United States and a Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital.
You are in Canada traveling by the most direct route between Alaska and another state when an emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer that the nearest U.S. hospital.

Remember, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are U.S. territories, so Medicare pays on the same basis as for any other U.S. hospital.

If you

Advertisement
plan to stay outside the country more than 30 days, other rules may apply. Call Social Security and ask for a copy of the booklet, "Social Security: Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States."

For general information about direct deposit and Medicare, call SSA toll free at 1-800-772-1213. Or check our Web site www.socialsecurity.gov Question and answer
Q.: I need proof of my Social Security income. Can I get verification online?

A.: Social Security can provide the information you need in a "proof-of-income letter." When you request one, it will be mailed to your address in our records. You can request one online by visiting https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/B EVE/main.html. Or call us at 1800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Reaching age 65 or full retirement age in 2008? - If you will turn 65 or reach full retirement age in 2008 and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us the following information:

- Your name.
- Social Security number.
- Estimated 2007 earnings.
- Estimated 2008 earnings.
- Complete mailing address.
- Telephone number (both home and work).
-Date of birth.
- If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would.
- Spouse's Social Security number.
- Spouse's date of birth.
- If spouse is deceased, give date of death.

Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni.

Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration. His column appears every Monday.