This week I'll be addressing those who are planning to travel outside the United States this year and wondering what effect this may have on their Social Security and Medicare benefits. There are several things to consider if you are in this category. You should consider having your check sent directly to the bank. You also should be familiar with how your Medicare coverage works outside the U.S.

First, sending your check directly to a bank (direct deposit) has several advantages. For one thing, you never have to worry about your check being lost or stolen. It also makes funds available to you even when you are not here to cash your checks.

If you get sick or are injured while traveling, you should know that Medicare generally does not pay for hospital or medical services outside the U.S. However, there are three exceptions to this. Medicare will pay for your care in a qualified Canadian or Mexican hospital if:

You are in the United States when an emergency occurs, and it's easier to reach a Canadian or Mexican hospital than a U.S. hospital.

You live in the U.S. and a Canadian or Mexican hospital is easier to reach from your home than the nearest U.S. hospital regardless of whether an emergency exists, and without regard to where the illness or injury occurs.

You are in Canada traveling directly between Alaska and another U.S. state when an emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is easier to reach from the site of the emergency than the

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nearest U.S. hospital. If you plan to stay outside the country for more than 30 days, there are other rules that apply.

Call Social Security's toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a copy of the booklet, "Social Security: Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States."

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