GBA 1 Group Health Plan Design
This is a required course for the GBA and CEBS designations.
GBA courses and the new Health Care Reform Act
As anticipated, President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act into law on March 30, 2010. This Act along with its companion legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, makes sweeping changes to the nation's health care system. Consequently, revisions will be forthcoming in the courses comprising the CEBS Program.
It is anticipated that updates to course materials will be issued as these changes become effective. It is CEBS Program policy that students taking the CEBS national examinations are NOT responsible for changes in the law until these changes are actually incorporated into study materials with the issuance of course updates.
Students are advised to be attentive to course updates when issued. Such updates will clearly indicate the date on which the changes in the law will be subject to inclusion on the national examinations. Information on issuance of any course updates will appear in NewsScope and posted to the web site at www.cebs.org
Please note: This course was revised for the fourth quarter 2008 testing.
The new GBA 1 Learning Guide features relevant, streamlined content along with readings updated in 2008.
The first two assignments of GBA 1 set the stage for the study of employee benefits to be pursued in the remainder of GBA 1 and 2 by examining the employee benefit environment, the functional approach to benefit planning, and risk management and insurance techniques in employee benefits. Much of this introductory material encompasses retirement plans, covered in RPA 1 and RPA 2 of the CEBS program, as well.
The coverage of health care benefits begins with a discussion of the environment of health care and health care plans, followed by health plan designs and cost-control techniques. The course also covers the managed care spectrum and managed care plans, as well as maintaining and improving employee health. Dental plans and specialized benefits—behavioral health, prescription drugs, vision, and hearing care plans—also are covered as is the timely topic of consumer-driven health plans, including health reimbursement accounts and health savings accounts. The course concludes with an overview of fiduciary liability and ethical responsibility.
Study Materials
- Learning Guide -includes Practice Exam on CD (PC only), $145.00.
- The Handbook of Employee Benefits, 6th edition, Jerry S. Rosenbloom, editor, McGraw-Hill, 2005, $130.00. ISBN 0-07-144512-9
Note: The same text is used in GBA 2—Group Benefits Management (CEBS Course 2).
May meet CE Credit Requirements
ACE Credit Recommendation also available.
Enrichment Reading:
Employee Benefits Answer Book
Health Insurance Answer Book
Assignment Topics
- Employee Benefit Planning
- Risk Management
- Health Plan Designs and Cost-Control
- Managed Care Spectrum
- Consumer-Driven Health Plans
- Dental, Vision and Hearing Care Benefits
- Prescription Drug Plans
- Behavioral Health Care Benefits
- Wellness Programs
- Fiduciary and Ethical Responsibility