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RDS Spotlight

This page highlights timely information throughout the application plan year. Monitor this section for important tips and reminders from CMS' RDS Center.

CMS’ RDS Center would like to remind RDS users that with the release of the modernized Secure Website (SWS) in April 2022, a new Copy Application feature is now available. Use this enhancement to create a new application by copying information from an existing prior application.

The Secure Website Modernization page is a library of information that offers support and reference materials to RDS Secure Website users for the new design of the RDS Secure Website.

You are invited to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Event: The New RDS Secure Website Launch Webinar on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. This event is intended for all RDS participants with active Secure Website accounts. During the webinar, CMS’ RDS Center will discuss the major enhancements and modifications being introduced with the release of the new RDS Secure Website, currently scheduled to go live early in 2022. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Center has an exciting announcement for the user community: In the evening of Friday, April 15th, 2022, we are launching a brand new RDS Secure Website redesign! In preparation for the new Secure Website launch, CMS’ RDS Center will continue to provide users with up-to-date information.

The RDS Quick Start Guides page is a library of one-page process diagrams illustrating how to complete various tasks within the RDS Secure Website. The first two Quick Start Guide entries address activating and resetting Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your RDS Secure Website user account.

Activating and maintaining Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your RDS Secure Website user account is critical to ensuring your Plan Sponsor meets its Application and Reconciliation Deadlines and experiences all the benefits of participating in the RDS Program. If you have a new device that you need to sync to the RDS Secure Website, or your current MFA is no longer working, you’ll need to reset MFA. For detailed guidance on how to reset MFA, refer to the instructions associated with the type of device you are using.

CMS’ RDS Center would like to remind RDS Secure Website users that it is a violation of Federal law to share or transfer user accounts or login and password information.

CMS' RDS Center offers a number of tips for resolving errors when uploading a retiree file on the RDS Secure Website.

There are a number of conditions that must be met before Step 4: Finalize Covered Retirees can be completed.

The RDS Secure Website allows an individual to act in only one role at a time. If a Plan Sponsor wishes to assign a different role to a current user, it should keep a few things in mind.