GBA 1

Directing Benefits Programs Part 1

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Required to Earn

GBA

CEBS

Part of

GBA Designation

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(Updated April 2022)

Organizational success in today’s competitive world places a premium on attracting and retaining global talent. Designing and administering the very best employee benefits plans is a critical success factor contributing to effective total compensation strategies. GBA 1 provides the essential framework, knowledge and competencies for designing cutting-edge health and welfare employee benefits programs. 


The course is updated to supply the latest legislative, regulatory and marketplace innovations to thrive in a post-COVID-19 world. GBA 1 details wide-ranging issues in managing employee benefit risks and supplies the expertise to meet the myriad challenges that accompany health and welfare plan administration. The course provides an approach for strategically evaluating an organization’s overall benefits philosophy and for selecting specific benefit plan alternatives on the health and welfare continuum. 

Alongside group health, dental, behavioral health and wellness programs; the course explains the various vendors and specialized professionals, such as prescription benefit managers, employee assistance professionals, and consultants whose expertise must be integrated to deliver a fully functional world-class benefits program.

Topics Covered:

  • Employee Benefits: The Environment
  • Managing Employee Benefits Risks
  • Group Health Plan Structures
  • Consumer-Directed Health Plans
  • Dental, Vision and Hearing Care Benefits
  • Prescription Drug Plans
  • Behavioral Health Care Benefits
  • Workplace Wellness Programs
  • Section 125 Plans
  • Health Care Regulation and Analysis

Continuing Education

Earn professional continuing education (CE) credit as you work through CEBS courses and continue to validate your learning with CEBS Compliance and ISCEBS membership.

Licensing and Professional Credit

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Resources For GBA 1

Required - Exam

Successful completion of comprehensive exam 

*  Price includes two attempts.

$550

Essential - Study Guide

GBA 1 Study Guide, 2nd Edition, including online access to the modules and practice exam 

$260

Essential - Textbook

Employee Benefits Design and Compliance: Health and Welfare Plans, 2nd Edition,  Mahoney and Maniaci, editors, XanEdu, Inc., 2021. 

$190

Supplementary

Online Study Group With Instructor Support 
12-week sessions in fall, spring and summer

$250

Success Package - Save 20%

Save 20% when you purchase the Textbook, Study Guide, Online Study Group and Exam.

$1,000