Announcements

This is a reminder that the sequestration suspension period ended on March 31, 2022. A one percent (1%) mandatory payment reduction is being applied to the calculated Subsidy Amounts for final costs incurred in all plan months between April 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The two percent (2%) mandatory payment reduction will continue to be applied in all plan months prior to May 1, 2020, and in all plan months after June 30, 2022, through the first day of Fiscal Year 2030.

The wait is over! The modernized RDS Secure Website was launched on Friday, April 15 and is now LIVE!

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Center hosted The RDS Secure Website Modernization Launch Webinar Re-Watch Party about the upcoming Secure Website Modernization initiative that goes live in the evening of April 15, 2022, and how this project will impact the RDS Program. CMS’ RDS Center has published both a recording and a transcript of the Webinar.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, 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 2023, as well as the parameters for Medicare Part D plans in 2023. Per 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 big switch to the new RDS Secure Website is right around the corner! CMS’ RDS Center will implement the modernized, redesigned Secure Website after close of business on Friday, April 15th, 2022. Our goal is to make this transition as easy as possible for you. To prepare, please join us for a “re-watch party” of the original Launch Webinar we held earlier this year! Watch and listen as we walk you through many of the process steps in the new system so you can feel comfortable and confident when the site goes live. 

This is a reminder that the sequestration suspension period will end on March 31, 2022. A one percent (1%) mandatory payment reduction will be applied to the calculated Subsidy Amounts for final costs incurred in all plan months between April 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. 

ACTION REQUESTED: Confirm your access to the RDS Secure Website now! To avoid missed program 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 applications to log into the Secure Website as soon as possible, and well in advance of your deadline date(s).

On Friday, January 14, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) Center hosted The New RDS Secure Website Launch Webinar about the upcoming Secure Website Modernization initiative and how this project will impact the RDS Program. CMS’ RDS Center has published both a recording and a transcript of the Webinar.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the New RDS Secure Website Launch Webinar originally scheduled for January 7, 2022, has been postponed until Friday, January 14, 2022, from 2:00PM EST – 3:00PM EST. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. 

You’re invited! Join us on Friday Jan 14th, 2022 to learn about the changes that are coming to the Secure Website.

The New RDS Secure Website Launch Webinar is intended for all RDS participants with active Secure Website accounts, including Plan Sponsors and Vendors who use the RDS Secure Website. During the webinar, CMS’ RDS Center will discuss the major changes and enhancements that are coming to the new RDS Secure Website in early 2022.