Empire Medicare Services is sending the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) on a CD-ROM in mid-November. The minimum system requirements to run this CD are Windows 95 or newer, a Web browser, and a CD-ROM drive. (Note: a Web browser is a component within your computer that allows for interaction with the World Wide Web.) Internet connectivity is NOT needed to use this CD; however, Web site links are listed in the CD's supplemental information. In addition to the CD-ROM, the 2005 Fee Schedule can be viewed or downloaded from Empire's Web site at http://www.empiremedicare.com.

Below are the minimum system requirements to run the Fee Schedule CD-ROM, and some troubleshooting tips:

Minimum System Requirements

· Computer with Windows 95|NT|98|Me|2000|XP

· 4x CD-ROM Drive

· Web Browser (Internet Explorer 4.0+ or Netscape Navigator 4.0+ recommended) (Note: Internet connectivity is NOT needed to run this CD-ROM)

· Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0+

Common Questions & Answers for Troubleshooting CD-ROM Usage:

Q1. The CD didn't launch automatically when I put it in the CD-ROM drive. What do I do to get into the CD?

A1. Double-click the CD-ROM icon under "My Computer." If the CD still doesn't start, double-click on the "index.html" file located on the CD to begin.

Q2. My Web browser isn't version 4.0 or above. Where can I get an upgrade?

A2. If you have access to the Internet, you can download a free upgrade to either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

Microsoft Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp?

Netscape Navigator: http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp

Q3. I cannot open some of the documents on the CD. What should I do?

A3. To view a majority of the documents on the CD-ROM, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer. If you do not have Acrobat, you can install a free version of the program called Adobe Acrobat Reader that is located on the CD. To install Adobe Acrobat Reader, follow the directions located in the help section of the CD-ROM or go to the Adobe Web site and download the Acrobat Reader at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Q4. How do I get back to the Fee Schedule CD once I open a PDF document?

A4. Instead of clicking the close button (the 'X' button in the upper-right corner of your browser), use your browser's back button (located in the upper-left side of your browser).

Q5. I don't have a CD-ROM drive on my computer. How can I get a copy of the Fee Schedule?

A5. If you are unable to use the CD-ROM because you do not have a CD-ROM drive, paper copies of the 2005 Fee Schedule and disclosure materials will be available. To receive a paper copy, print the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Request Form from our Web site. Then, send your request in writing to:

Or:

Fax your written request for New Jersey to (717) 565-3777 and for New York to (914) 248-2816.

Be sure to indicate the locality that you are requesting.

New Jersey

Locality 01 - Bergen/Essex/Hudson/Hunterdon/Middlesex/Morris/Passaic/Somerset/Sussex/Union/Warren
Locality 99 - Atlantic/Burlington/Camden/Cape May/Cumberland/Gloucester/Mercer/Monmouth/Ocean/Salem

New York

Locality 01 - Manhattan
Locality 02 - Bronx/Brooklyn/Nassau/Staten Island/Suffolk/Westchester/Rockland
Locality 03 - Columbia/Delaware/Dutchess/Greene/Orange/Putnam/Sullivan/Ulster

Posted: 10/15/2004