This page explains what is needed to meet the Application Deadline and provides a list of Application Deadlines.
This page describes the Reconciliation requirement and lists Reconciliation Deadlines.
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.
Reason codes are identification numbers that correspond to a specific message about a record in a response file or a notification file.
The Sample Retiree File Spreadsheet assists Plan Sponsors and Vendors with creating and uploading retiree files to CMS' RDS Center on the RDS Secure Website.
Announcements
On April 7, 2025, 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 2026, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2026. 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.
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 would like to remind the Plan Sponsor community, and the Vendors who support them, about important RDS Program policies regarding Vendor Technical Contacts.
CMS’ Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Center would like to remind the Plan Sponsor community that, pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 423.888, RDS subsidy payment “is conditioned on provision of accurate information.” If a Plan Sponsor discovers after, completion of Reconciliation for an application, that it agreed to inaccurate retiree and/or cost data, that Plan Sponsor must report the discrepancy to CMS’ RDS Center.
CMS' RDS Center will be performing system maintenance on the RDS Secure Website on Friday, April 19, 2024, beginning at 9:00PM ET and concluding Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 10:00AM ET.
On April 1, 2024, 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 2025, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2025. 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.
The 2025 Cost Threshold and Cost Limit amounts are as follows:
RDS Spotlight
Changes have been made to the email accounts used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS’) Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Program. Effective immediately, Plan Sponsors can only use the RDS@cms.hhs.gov email address to communicate with the RDS Program.
Do you know where to go when you have questions about RDS Reconciliation? The answers to your questions are available 24-7 on the RDS Public Website.
As a requirement of Reconciliation, Plan Sponsors must finalize their application's Covered Retiree List (CRL) and submit final cost data to CMS' RDS Center. Please review the following guidance and resources for successfully reporting final costs during Reconciliation.
As a requirement of Reconciliation, Plan Sponsors must finalize their application's Covered Retiree List (CRL) and submit final cost data to CMS' RDS Center. Please review the following guidance and resources for successfully finalizing your application’s retiree count during Reconciliation.
In preparation for the final Reconciliation payment request, the Plan Sponsor agrees to the CRL in the Reconciliation: Finalize Covered Retirees step by completing the following tasks:
To avoid missed Reconciliation 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! Please encourage all users assigned to your RDS application(s) to log in to the Secure Website as soon as possible, and well in advance of your deadline date.
Review the summary of Reconciliation steps and the user roles responsible for completing each step. Know your responsibilities during Reconciliation, coordinate with other Plan Sponsor users and vendors (if applicable), and protect your Plan Sponsor’s subsidy!