Check this page often for news about important program updates, training opportunities, and educational information.
Announcements
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| April 28, 2023 |
New RDS Reason Codes Starting 9/1/2023 On September 1, 2023, CMS’ RDS Center will implement two new Reason Codes that will be used to communicate RDS eligibility information during retiree data transfers. |
| April 18, 2023 |
Cost Threshold and Cost Limit Amounts for Plan Years Ending in 2024, and the Parameters for Medicare Part D Plans in 2024 On Friday, March 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Cost Threshold and Cost Limit amounts that apply to Plan Sponsors participating in CMS' Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Program, with qualified prescription drug plans that end in 2024, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2024. Pursuant to 42 CFR 423.886(b)(3), the cost threshold and cost limit for qualified retiree prescription drug plans are updated using the Annual Percentage Increase. |
| March 20, 2023 |
We want to hear from you! RDS Listening Sessions – Inflation Reduction Act & RDS The H.R. 5376 Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law by President Biden on August 16th, 2022. The IRA makes improvements to Medicare that will expand benefits, lower drug costs, keep prescription drug premiums stable, and improve the strength of the Medicare program. CMS’ RDS Center wants to hear from you—the RDS users—about the impact of IRA on the RDS Plan Sponsor community. We are currently recruiting volunteers for Listening Sessions on this topic. If you are a current, active RDS Secure Website user assigned to at least one RDS Plan Sponsor account and/or application and are interested in participating in this initiative, please review the material below and email CMS’ RDS Center by Monday, April 3, 2023, to express your interest in volunteering. |
| March 17, 2023 |
Authorized Representatives – What can YOU do to protect your RDS subsidy? Authorized Representatives: Confirm your access to the RDS Secure Website now! To avoid missed program deadlines and delayed subsidy payments, ensure that your RDS user accounts and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) are active and that you are able to access the RDS Secure Website today! |
| March 3, 2023 |
New RDS Reason Codes Coming In the coming months, CMS’ RDS Center will implement two new Reason Codes that will be used to communicate RDS eligibility information during retiree data transfers. These codes will support the conditions defined in 42 CFR § 423.4 stating that a retiree is not eligible for RDS subsidy when: the retiree is not legally present in the United States and/or the retiree is incarcerated. |
| February 7, 2023 |
Submitting Accurate Data to RDS If a Plan Sponsor decides to submit interim payment requests, it must adhere to all terms and conditions specified in the Interim Payment Agreement. Please do not wait until Reconciliation to make sure your data is accurate. Submit “true, accurate, and complete” retiree lists and cost reports throughout the plan year, whenever your Plan Sponsor makes an interim payment request. |
| January 16, 2023 |
New Second Level Hearing Appeals Portal Begins Today! Starting today, January 16, 2023, Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Plan Sponsors will now utilize the new CMS Office of Hearings Case and Document Management System (OH CDMS) for their Second Level Appeals. The OH CDMS is a web-based portal for RDS Plan Sponsors to submit and maintain their Second Level Informal Hearing Appeals and to correspond with the CMS Hearing Officer. This information is only relevant to Plan Sponsors who pursue an RDS Second Level Appeal. In support of this change, CMS’ RDS Center has published updated educational materials as well. Because the OH CDMS portal falls entirely outside of the RDS Program’s purview, CMS’ RDS Center will not provide technical support for this web application. |
| January 9, 2023 |
Coming Next Week – OH CDMS Portal For Second Level Appeals On January 16, 2023, the new CMS Office of Hearings Case and Document Management System (OH CDMS) will become available for RDS Plan Sponsors pursuing RDS Second Level Appeals. The OH CDMS is a web-based portal for RDS Plan Sponsors to submit and manage their Second Level Informal Hearing Appeals and to correspond with the CMS Hearing Officer. This information is only relevant to Plan Sponsors who pursue an RDS Second Level Appeal. This Second Level Appeal process change will not be relevant to First Level Reconsiderations or to Third Level Administrator Reviews. |
| November 17, 2022 |
11/19/22 – 11/20/22 System Maintenance Notification CMS' RDS Center will be performing system maintenance on the RDS Secure Website on Saturday, November 19, 2022 beginning at 8:00PM ET and concluding Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 10:00AM ET. The Secure Website will be available but file processing will be impacted. |
| November 1, 2022 |
Coming Soon – Second Level Informal Hearing Appeals Portal In the coming months, CMS will introduce RDS Plan Sponsors to the new CMS Office of Hearings Case and Document Management System (OH CDMS). The OH CDMS is a web-based portal for RDS Plan Sponsors to submit and manage their Second Level Informal Hearing Appeals and to correspond with the CMS Hearing Officer. The RDS Secure Website (SWS) and the OH CDMS portal are separate web applications requiring separate and unique registrations and account management. This change will only be relevant to Plan Sponsors who pursue an RDS Second Level Appeal. |
Page last updated: April 01, 2016