Program Components:
This page contains answers to Common Questions about the applying for the RDS Program. Review this page to learn about how to apply for the program, what information is required to complete an application, and more. For additional information, refer to the Apply for the RDS Program section of the RDS User Guide.
- How does a Plan Sponsor apply for the RDS Program?
- Do I have to set up a new Plan Sponsor Account and new application each year I participate in the RDS Program?
- How do I re-apply for a new plan year with an existing Plan Sponsor ID?
- What information is required to complete an application?
- What user roles are required to complete the Application Submission Process?
- What is Banking Information?
- What is a Benefit Option, and how many can I have?
- What is a Unique Benefit Option Identifier (UBOI)?
- What are Retiree Submission Methods?
- What are a Plan Sponsor’s options after missing the Application Deadline?
How does a Plan Sponsor apply for the RDS Program?
ANSWER: To participate in the RDS Program, the Plan Sponsor must submit a timely RDS application prior to the expiration of the Application Deadline. For more information about the Application Deadline, including what is required to be submitted by the Application Deadline, refer to Important Application Deadline Information.
Note: Plan Sponsors can view the Application Deadline on the Application Overview and the Review and Submit pages of the RDS Secure Website.
There are six steps in the Application Submission Process: Create Application, Benefit Options, Actuary & Attestation, Banking Information, Review & Submit, and submitting the Valid Initial Retiree List through Manage Retirees. Each step is accessible from the Application Overview page. Use the Application Overview page to complete the Application Submission Process, monitor the status of the application, maintain the application, and keep track of deadlines.
For additional information, refer to Submit the Valid Initial Online Application and the Valid Initial Retiree List by the Application Deadline.
Answer ID: 400-1
Date Updated: 4/15/2022
Do I have to set up a new Plan Sponsor Account and new application each year I participate in the RDS Program?
ANSWER: While the Plan Sponsor Account is created only once, the RDS Application Submission Process continues for every plan year. A new application must be completed for each plan year for which a Plan Sponsor wishes to receive subsidy. By the middle of the current plan year, it is important for the Plan Sponsor to initiate the RDS Application Submission Process for the upcoming plan year.
A Plan Sponsor must submit a timely RDS application prior to the expiration of the Application Deadline. For a list of Application Deadlines by Month/Year, access the RDS Program Website Featured Content Important Application Deadline Information.
For an overview of the Application Submission Process, access the RDS Welcome Kit User Roles Support Tool.
Answer ID: 400-2
Date Updated: 4/15/2022
How do I re-apply for a new plan year with an existing Plan Sponsor ID?
ANSWER: Plan Sponsors who have previously participated in the RDS Program and wish to continue to participate must submit a timely application prior to the expiration of the Application Deadline. For more information, including business advice for re-applying for the program, refer to Re-apply for a New Plan Year With an Existing Plan Sponsor ID.
Answer ID: 400-3
Date Posted: 10/17/2014
What information is required to complete an application?
ANSWER: The following information is required to complete an application:
- Plan information
- Benefit Option information
- Actuary information
- Banking Information
- Designee information (optional)
- Valid Initial Retiree List
For details on each piece of information, refer to Information Required to Complete an Application.
Answer ID: 400-4
Date Posted: 4/15/2022
What user roles are required to complete the Application Submission Process?
ANSWER: The Account Manager, Authorized Representative, and Actuary roles are required to complete the Application Submission Process. For more information, refer to User Roles for the Application Submission Process.
Answer ID: 400-5
Date Posted: 10/17/2014
What is Banking Information?
ANSWER: Banking Information is required in order to send funds electronically to a Plan Sponsor's bank account. To learn more about which Banking Information is required to complete an RDS application, refer to Information Required to Complete an Application.
Answer ID: 400-7
Date Posted: 4/15/2022
What is a Benefit Option, and how many can I have?
ANSWER: A Benefit Option is a particular benefit design, category of benefits, or cost-sharing arrangement offered within a group health plan. A Plan Sponsor can set up applications and Benefit Options in many ways. For additional information on Benefit Options, refer to Application and Benefit Options Defined.
Answer ID: 400-8
Date Posted: 10/17/2014
What is a Unique Benefit Option Identifier (UBOI)?
ANSWER: A Unique Benefit Option Identifier (UBOI) is a user-defined alphanumeric value used to identify the individual Benefit Option(s) in each application. For example, this could be an Rx Group Number. For more information on UBOIs, refer to
Application and Benefit Options Defined.
Answer ID: 400-9
Date Updated: 4/15/2022
What are Retiree Submission Methods?
ANSWER: The Retiree Submission Method is selected by the Plan Sponsor during Benefit Option creation to indicate the method(s) by which electronic data files are exchanged with CMS' RDS Center. For more information, refer to Information Required to Complete an Application.
Answer ID: 400-10
Date Updated: 4/15/2022
What are a Plan Sponsor's options after missing the Application Deadline?
ANSWER: If a Plan Sponsor misses the Application Deadline, it has two options. Refer to Options After a Missed Application Deadline for more information.
Answer ID: 400-11
Date Posted: 10/17/2014