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Common Questions

Common Questions cover the following categories to help the Plan Sponsor community find information about important program topics. Select a link to review the Common Questions for each category.
  • Top Plan Sponsor Questions

    Top Plan Sponsor Questions contains answers to the questions CMS' RDS Center most frequently receives from the Plan Sponsor community. All Common Questions

  • General Program Information

    General Program Information contains answers to Common Questions about the RDS Program. Review this page to learn about the requirements for participating in RDS, how subsidy is calculated for an application, and more. For additional information refer to the RDS Program Overview section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Managing a Plan Sponsor Account

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Managing a Plan Sponsor Account. Review this page to learn about how to create a Plan Sponsor Account, what registered Plan Sponsor information can and cannot be changed, and more. For additional information refer to the Manage a Plan Sponsor Account section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Registering as an RDS Secure Website User

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Registering as an RDS Secure Website User. Review this page to learn about how to register as an RDS Secure Website user, how often to change your Password, and more. For additional information refer to the Register as an RDS Secure Website User section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Applying for the RDS Program

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Applying for the RDS Program. Review this page to learn about how to apply for the program, what information is required to complete an application, and more. For additional information, refer to the Apply for the RDS Program section of the RDS User Guide.

  • User Management

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about User Management. Review this page to learn about how to manage RDS Secure Website user roles, how to change user information, and more. For additional information refer to the User Management section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Annual Plan Application

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about the Annual Plan Application. Review this page to learn about how to complete the Application Submission Process, how to change application information, and more. For additional information refer to the Annual Plan Application section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Retiree Management

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Retiree Management. Review this page to learn about how to process retiree files, how to troubleshoot retiree processing issues, and more. For additional information refer to the Retiree Management section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Payment Setup

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Payment Setup. Review this page to learn about how to complete and change Payment Setup, who can complete and change Payment Setup, and more. For additional information refer to the Payment Setup section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Interim Payment

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about the Interim Payment process. Review this page to learn about how to submit interim costs and an interim payment request and more. For additional information refer to the Interim Payment section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Reconciliation

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Reconciliation. Review this page to learn about how to complete Reconciliation, when an application is ready for Reconciliation, and more. For additional information refer to the Reconciliation section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Preparing Cost Data

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Preparing Cost Data. Review this page to learn about how and when to report cost data, what data to report, and more. For additional information, refer to the Prepare Cost Data section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Accessing Payment History

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Accessing Payment History. Review this page to learn about who may access Payment History, how to access the various Payment History event types, and more. For additional information, refer to the Access Payment History section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Appealing an Initial Determination

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Appealing an Initial Determination. Review this page to learn about how to request an appeal, how to withdraw an appeal, and more. For additional information refer to the Appeal an Initial Determination section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Satisfying an Overpayment

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Satisfying an Overpayment. Review this page to learn how to review an overpayment, how and when to send an overpayment remittance, and more. For additional information, refer to the Satisfy an Overpayment section of the RDS User Guide.

  • Reporting Inaccurate or Incomplete Data

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Reporting Inaccurate or Incomplete Data. Review this page to learn about the different between inaccurate and incomplete data, how to disclose the correct information, and more.

  • Multi-Factor Authentication

    This page contains answers to Common Questions about Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).