Announcements

Check this page often for news about important program updates, training opportunities, and educational information.

Date Title
December 20, 2016 Delay in Retiree Processing

Plan Sponsors and Vendors that have submitted retiree files to CMS' RDS Center since December 9, 2016 are currently experiencing a delay in receiving Retiree Response Files.

December 17, 2016 Cutover from RDS Mainframe to New Mid-Tier Location Complete

Effective immediately, Vendors that previously submitted files to the RDS Center Mainframe using Connect:Direct must now send files to RDS' new mid-tier location. Please visit the Mainframe Submission: File Location Change page for additional information about this change.

December 17, 2016 Retiree Processing Change: Expedited Covered Retiree List Availability

CMS' RDS Center is pleased to announce a change in retiree processing that expedites cost reporting and Reconciliation tasks.

November 21, 2016 Important Notice - Cutover Date for Mainframe Submission: File Location Change

As previously announced on April 22, 2016, CMS’ RDS Center is changing the location for sending cost and retiree data files to the RDS Center Mainframe. This change only impacts Vendors that submit data to CMS' RDS Center using Connect:Direct and does not affect participants that submit data using the RDS Secure Website or through their COB:VDSA or MIR contractor. CMS’ RDS Center has determined a date for when files must be sent to the new location.

August 30, 2016 Tips for Meeting Your 2017 Application Deadline

September and October are historically the busiest months for Plan Sponsors preparing their annual applications. Review the following tips and resources from CMS’ RDS Center to assist in a successful Application Submission Process.

April 22, 2016 Notice to Mainframe Submitters: Upcoming File Location Change

By the end of 2016, all files that are currently sent to the RDS Center Mainframe must be sent to a new location.

April 22, 2016 Cost Threshold and Cost Limit Amounts for Plan Years Ending in 2017, and the Parameters for Medicare Part D Plans in 2017

On Monday, April 4, 2016 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 years that end in 2017, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2017.

April 19, 2016 New Look for the RDS Program Website

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Center is pleased to introduce a new design for the RDS Program Website. The following updates have been made to streamline your experience.

April 1, 2016 Effective Now: Change of Address for Sending an Overpayment Remittance

The address for sending an overpayment remittance to CMS' RDS Center has changed.

March 16, 2016 Webinar Recap Article Now Available: RDS Program Highlights

If you were unable to attend the recent CMS’ RDS Center webinar, RDS Program Highlights, review the recap article for an overview of the information covered.

Page last updated: April 01, 2016