RDS User Guide

Get Started

RDS Program Components

Additional Program Tasks

Quick Access Reports (QAR)

Supplemental Information

Return to main site

RDS TV

Instructions to Access the RDS Secure Website

User Roles:

AM

AR

AC

D

Refer to the RDS Secure Website Login Quick Start Guide for a process diagram.

This section provides step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips for all registered RDS participants to access the RDS Secure Website.

On the RDS Program Website homepage (http://www.rds.cms.hhs.gov):

  1. Select Login Here.

    RDS Homepage with Login Here button highlighted.

On the Login page:

An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

  1. *Enter your Login ID.
  2. *Enter your Password.
  3. *Enter your MFA Token. (Refer to Multi-Factor Authentication for guidance)

  4. Select Login to proceed, or select Cancel to return to the RDS Program Website.

    Important: If a problem with your account is identified, refer to the Troubleshooting section of this page, or the User Management pages, for guidance on resolving your account issue.

    Login page with form fields and Login button highlighted.

    Note: Select Forgot Login ID to have an email sent to your registered email address containing your Login ID. Select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Select Manage MFA Settings to reset your Multi-Factor Authentication configuration.

On the Login Warning page:

  1. Review the Login Warning.

  2. Select Accept to continue, or select Decline to exit this process and return to the RDS Program Website homepage.

    Login Warning page with Accept button highlighted.

Note: If you are prompted to Verify Registered User Information after selecting Accept on the Login Warning page, refer to Verify Registered User Information in the RDS User Guide for step-by-step instructions.

On the Dashboard page:

  1. All columns in the Applications table, with the exception of the Actions column, may be sorted by selecting the up or down Up and down sorting arrows. symbol. Select the up or down Up and down sorting arrows. symbol again to sort in reverse order.
  2. All columns, with the exception of the Actions column, contain a Search field located in the cell directly below each column heading. Enter search criteria in a Search field for a particular column. Data within the column matching the criteria displays.

  3. Select an Application ID to access that application.

    Dashboard page with sample data. Application ID column of Applications in progress table is highlighted.

On the Application Overview page:

The left navigation section provides links and status indicators for each step in the Application Submission process, as well as links to complete application tasks for each step of the application lifecycle.

The Plan Sponsor section provides the following information about the Application:

  • Plan Sponsor ID
  • Plan Sponsor Name
  • Account Manager
  • Authorized Representative
  • Application Name
  • Plan Year Start date
  • Plan Year End Date
  • Application ID
  • Application Deadline
  • Reconciliation Deadline
  • Application Status
  • Application Submitted Date
  • Initial Retiree List Received Date
  • Attestation Status

The Team section lists the Actuary and all Designees (optional) assigned to the application.

Application Overview page with sample data. Entire left nav is highlighted.

Return to top

Verify Registered User Information

CMS’ RDS Center requires users of the RDS Secure Website (SWS) to periodically verify their Registered User Information in order to provide consistent, accurate information and uninterrupted access to the system. If you have not already verified your information recently, you will be prompted to do so during login after selecting Accept on the Login Warning page. 

Login Warning page with Accept button highlighted.

On the Verify Registered User Information page:

  1. Review your Registered User Information: Name, Phone Number, Email Address, and Mailing Address. If the information displayed is correct, select Continue to proceed to the Dashboard, or select X to close the window and verify your information during your next login.

    Verify Registered User Information page with Continue button highlighted.

  2. If the information displayed is incorrect, select Edit.

    Verify Registered User Information page with Edit button highlighted.

On the User Profile page: 

An asterisk (*) indicates a required field. Information that cannot be changed will be displayed as view only.

  1. *Enter the new User Information and/or Mailing Address, as needed, and confirm your email address in the Re-enter Email Address field.
  2. Select Save to save your User Information and/or Mailing Address changes.

    User Profile page populated with sample data and Save button highlighted.

  3. The User Profile page refreshes to display a Success Message stating that the information has been successfully updated. Select Cancel to proceed to the Dashboard.

    User Profile page with Success Message and Cancel button highlighted.

    Dashboard page with sample data.

Return to top

Troubleshooting

Error Message Descriptions and Resolutions

Use the following table to assist in resolving errors associated with accessing the RDS Secure Website.

Table 1: Error Message Descriptions and Resolutions
Message Text Message Type Condition Resolution

You did not enter a Login ID, Password and/or MFA Token. Enter your Login ID, Password and MFA Token.

Error

Required field(s) left empty.

Populate all required fields with valid data.

There is an issue with your Login ID, Password and/or MFA Token. If you have forgotten your Login ID, select Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID, or select Forgot Password to reset your Password. If you have an issue with your MFA Token, select Manage MFA Settings to reset MFA.

Error

Invalid login credentials were entered.
  • Ensure you enter your information exactly as it was created during Registration. Select Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID, or select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Select Manage MFA Settings to reset MFA. Refer to User Management for guidance.
  • If you had a previous account and it was terminated so you could register a new role or a new account, ensure you complete Registration and use your new account information. Any previous accounts will no longer work.
  • Ensure you enter the 6-digit MFA token while it is still displayed on your device. If you need to reset your Google Authenticator configuration, refer to MFA Reset Instructions.
  • Ensure your device’s clock is in-sync to the Google Authenticator clock. Refer to your device’s instructions for assistance.

The Login ID, Password or MFA token entered is incorrect. If you do not enter the Login ID, Password and MFA Token correctly, your Login ID will be locked.

Error

Invalid login credentials were entered.
  • Ensure you enter your information exactly as it was created during Registration. Select& Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID, or select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Select Manage MFA Settings to reset MFA. Refer to User Management for guidance.
  • If you had a previous account and it was terminated so you could register a new role or a new account, ensure you complete Registration and use your new account information. Any previous accounts will no longer work.
  • Ensure you enter the 6-digit MFA token while it is still displayed on your device. If you need to reset your Google Authenticator configuration, refer to MFA Reset Instructions.
  • Ensure your device’s clock is in-sync to the Google Authenticator clock. Refer to your device’s instructions for assistance.

The Login ID is not active.

Error

Registration was successfully completed but the account is still in “Pending” status awaiting verification of the user registration data.
  • Allow 48 hours to pass. If more than 48 hours elapses, contact CMS’ RDS Center.
  • If your registration information could not be validated, CMS’ RDS Center will contact you.

You did not enter the Login ID, Password and MFA token correctly. The Login ID is locked. Select Forgot Password to reset your Password.

Error

Invalid login credentials were entered too many times.
  • When your account is in a “Locked” status because invalid login credentials were entered too many times, you must reset your password to regain access to the Secure Website. Select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Refer to Change Password If Account Is Locked for guidance. Passwords can only be changed once in a 24-hour period.
  • If you’re unsure of your Login ID, select Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID.

The Login ID is locked. If you have forgotten your Login ID, select Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID, or select Forgot Password to reset your Password.

Error

Invalid login credentials were entered too many times.
  • When your account is in a “Locked” status because invalid login credentials were entered too many times, you must reset your password to regain access to the Secure Website. Select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Refer to Change Password If Account Is Locked for guidance. Passwords can only be changed once in a 24-hour period.
  • If you’re unsure of your Login ID, select Forgot Login ID to receive an email containing your Login ID.

Your account has been disabled due to inactivity. To re-enable your account, select the Enable Account link in your RDS Secure Website User Account Disabled email. To send the email again, select Re-send.

Error

You have not logged in within the last 180 days.
  • Select the Enable Account link in your "RDS Secure Website User Account Disabled" email. You will be directed to the Validate Person Information page. This link can only be used once. If the link has expired, you will be directed to an error page and will need to follow the instructions to receive a new link. Refer to Enable Your User Account for guidance.
  • If you do not have the "RDS Secure Website User Account Disabled" email, you can request to have it re-sent by selecting the Re-send link in the error message that will display if you attempt to log in on the Login page, or when you are trying to complete the Request Forgotten Login ID or Forgot Password processes.

Your password has expired, please change your password now.

Error

Your password is older than 180 days.

 Select Forgot Password to reset your Password. Refer to Change Password for guidance. Passwords can only be changed once in a 24-hour period.

You have exceeded the maximum number of consecutive login attempts using a One Time Token. Please log in using your MFA Token.

Error

Users are permitted three consecutive uses of the one-time token feature. You have logged into the Secure Website three consecutive times with a one-time token.

Log into the Secure Website with your Google Authenticator token. Once you do, the one-time token counter will be reset to zero and you will be able to use a one-time token again. If you need to reset your MFA configuration, refer to MFA Reset Instructions.

Return to top

Field Formats

Use the following table to assist in logging into the RDS Secure Website.

Table 2: Login Field Formats

Field Name

Required or Optional

Size Limit

Character Requirements

Notes

Login ID

Required

8 – 15 Characters

Can only contain Uppercase letters, Lowercase letters or numbers; created during Registration.
  • Must be your current, active and valid Login ID.
  • Ensure you have received the user account confirmation email. Allow 48 hours to elapse after completing Registration for your information to be validated and the user account confirmation email to be received.
  • If you had a previous account and it was terminated so you could register a new role or a new account, ensure you complete Registration and use your new account information. Any previous accounts will no longer work.

Password

Required

8 – 14 Characters

Password must include each of the following:

  • 1 - Lowercase letter
  • 1 - Uppercase letter
  • 1 - Number
  • 1 - Special character

Created during Registration.

Must be your current, active and valid Password.

MFA Token

Required

6 Characters Exactly

Numeric only
  • Must be the 6-digit code displayed in Google Authenticator on your device.
  • Ensure your device’s clock is in-sync to the Google Authenticator clock. Refer to your device’s instructions for assistance.

Return to top