Plan Sponsors and Vendors must submit cost data to CMS' RDS Center before submitting an interim or Reconciliation payment request.
Before submitting cost data, Cost Preparers compile incurred costs of Medicare Part D drugs by Benefit Option and Plan Month for Qualifying Covered Retirees (QCRs) that are eligible for subsidy under the RDS Program. The function of the Cost Preparer happens outside of the RDS system and may or may not be the same individual(s) assigned the Report Costs privilege on the RDS Secure Website. Regardless, communicating with these individuals is important. It is recommended that the Account Manager coordinate communication among all individuals involved.
Once costs are prepared, Cost Reporters report cost data to CMS' RDS Center for QCRs by Manual Data Entry on the RDS Secure Website or by Connect:Direct. A Cost Reporter may be the Account Manager, Plan Sponsor Designee, Vendor, or Vendor Designee.