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The RDS User Guide provides comprehensive, detailed information about participating in the RDS Program. Get overview information and step-by-step instructions for key program areas and more.
This section of the RDS User Guide provides overview information and step-by-step instructions for Annual Plan Application tasks such as starting and completing an application, changing an application, and requesting an Application Deadline Extension.
This page contains information about completing Step 9: Valid Initial Retiree List of the annual plan application.
This section explains what application information must be maintained after an application has been submitted and approved, how information should be maintained, and what application information cannot be changed.
Covers information such as how to complete the Application Submission Process and how to change application information.
This page contains links to and descriptions for job aids, which are tools that can be used for quick reference while completing specific RDS Program tasks.
This sections provides a list of statuses and corresponding descriptions that an RDS application may have at various points through the RDS Program Lifecycle.
This section provides information to assist in preparing cost data for submission to CMS' RDS Center:
The Interim Payment Process is a method the Plan Sponsor uses to submit interim cost reports and make interim payment requests for Qualifying Covered Retirees on an approved RDS application.
This section provides an overview and step-by-step instructions for submitting interim costs.
An overpayment occurs when the sum of all interim payments received for an application exceeds the sum of the Reconciliation payment request.
Doubling costs occurs when a Plan Sponsor is reporting for the same months after the first payment request has been completed.
The most common reason for the overstating Gross Retiree Costs error is including costs that are not covered by Medicare Part D, therefore making them ineligible for RDS subsidy during interim payments.
The reduction in retirees error results from a Plan Sponsor failing to process and send in retiree updates during the plan year.
Underestimating Cost Adjustments during interim payments occurs when a Plan Sponsor does not make changes to their Cost Adjustment methodology from one plan year to the next when the Cost Adjustment percentage has increased.
Underreporting Threshold Reduction and Limit Reduction occurs for a couple of reasons: 1) Plan Sponsors do not understand the definition of Threshold Reduction, and 2) Plan Sponsors are not reporting the correct Threshold Reduction and Limit Reduction during interim payments.
Understand when a Plan Sponsor is required to coordinate individual retiree cost data and what is needed to report cost data.
This page contains links to technical articles that provide expert insight on important program topics.
Covers information such as how to submit interim costs and an interim payment request.