CMS' RDS Center will soon be implementing the following changes to the RDS Secure Website and in the communications process when making payments:
- The RDS Secure Website will prevent submission of an interim payment request during the final 60 days before the Reconciliation Deadline. Plan Sponsors cannot initiate Reconciliation while a payment request is in process. CMS' RDS Center currently recommends stopping interim payments in the final 60 days before the Reconciliation Deadline to allow the Plan Sponsor time to complete the Reconciliation process. Coming soon, an error message will be displayed on the Build Interim Payment Request page in the RDS Secure Website that prevents a Plan Sponsor from submitting an interim payment request during the final 60 calendar days before the Reconciliation Deadline.
- The RDS Secure Website will prevent completion of Reconciliation Step 7 if the reported Gross Eligible costs exceed the total maximum Gross Eligible amount possible for the application based on the number of retirees contributing to the Threshold Reduction. RDS Secure Website users will receive an error message on the Step 7: Review Final Costs page if this issue is detected and directed to information to help resolve the issue. More information explaining this issue will be available in the RDS User Guide at the time the change is implemented.
- CMS' RDS Center will be improving the efficiency of the appeals process. Currently, Plan Sponsors must request a reopening of an application denial or Reconciliation final payment determination by mailing a hard copy request and supporting documentation to CMS' RDS Center. Soon, Plan Sponsors will be able to request a reopening and submit any necessary supporting documentation by uploading it directly to CMS' RDS Center using the RDS Secure Website.
- Plan Sponsors will receive an email if there is an issue with the Account Manager’s or Authorized Representative’s user account at the time CMS' RDS Center attempts to make payment. If an issue is detected (for example, if the Account Manager’s or the Authorized Representative’s user account is disabled), the payment request will be placed on hold, and the Plan Sponsor will receive an email explaining how to resolve the user account issue(s) so that the payment request may resume processing.
An announcement will be published on this website when these changes are implemented. If you have questions or need additional information, contact CMS' RDS Center.