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Announcements

Check this page often for news about important program updates, training opportunities, and educational information.
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Reminder: RDS To Begin Accepting MBI on April 1, 2018

CMS' RDS Center would like to remind the Plan Sponsor community that, in accordance with CMS’ New Medicare Card Project initiative, beginning April 1, 2018, the RDS Center shall begin accepting the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) in retiree files.

Retiree File Changes to Accommodate MBI

In accordance with CMS' New Medicare Card Project, CMS' RDS Center has updated the retiree file formats to accommodate the future use of MBI.

Webinar Recap Article Now Available: New Medicare Card Project

CMS' RDS Center presented the New Medicare Card Project webinar on October 24, 2017. A recap article has been published describing the topics covered and answering common questions that were received.

Updated Login Warning and Processing Multiple Records for the Same Beneficiary Within the Same File

CMS' RDS Center has updated the Login Warning that all users must agree to when accessing the RDS Secure Website. To review the updated Login Warning, refer to the Login Warning page located in the Agreements section of the RDS Program Website.

Cost Threshold and Cost Limit Amounts for Plan Years Ending in 2018, and the Parameters for Medicare Part D Plans in 2018

On Monday, April 3, 2017 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 2018, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2018.

CMS’ New Medicare Card Project

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a memorandum (updated 09/25/2017) regarding the New Medicare Card Project (known before as the Social Security Number Removal Initiative (SSNRI)).

Resources for a Successful Reconciliation

March is one of the busiest Reconciliation months for many RDS Plan Sponsors. To help facilitate a successful Reconciliation process, CMS’ RDS Center encourages the Plan Sponsor community to take advantage of the resources available on the RDS Program Website.

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.

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.

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.