09/30/2010

Sample Retiree File Spreadsheet Available Now

The Sample Retiree File Spreadsheet is now available on the Job Aids page on the RDS Program Website.

If you have a small number of retirees, this editable spreadsheet can be used to create a retiree file to upload to CMS' RDS Center on the RDS Secure Website.

Tips for Using the Sample Retiree File Spreadsheet

1. If prompted, enable macros.
2. Click Save As and enter a unique name for the retiree file. CMS' RDS Center recommends saving your retiree file on a local drive (c:/) and not on your network, because it may cause the RDS Secure Website to timeout. If the file takes more than 5 minutes to upload, stop the upload process, and try again.
3. Enter data in the spreadsheet.
1. Enter only one retiree per row.
2. Select the values for Gender and Relationship from the dropdown in the cell.
3. Enter date fields with either a slash (/) or a dash (-) between the month, day, and year, regardless of the date format entered.  For example, January 1, 2011, must be entered as 01/01/11, 01-01-11, 2011/01/01, or 2011-01-01.
4. Review each field carefully.
5. Click Save. Excel will save the file twice, first with a file extension of .xls for the Excel program, and second with a file extension of .csv for a "comma delimited value file."
6. Be sure to upload only the .csv file to the RDS Secure Website.

If you have questions, contact CMS' RDS Center Help Line.