Highmark Health subsidiary agrees to pay $410K to resolve alleged compensation discrimination found in federal compliance evaluation

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh-based company that provides IT support to health plan providers has agreed to pay $410,000 in back pay and interest after a federal compliance evaluation alleged the federal contractor’s pay practices discriminated against 67 employees in the Associate Consultant and Consultant positions.  

In its evaluation, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found HM Health Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highmark Health, allegedly discriminated in base salary compensation of its Black, white, and two or more race employees. OFCCP investigators alleged that HM Health Solutions paid the affected employees less than similarly situated Asian employees who worked in the associate consultant and consultant job title. The actions allegedviolated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment.  

“Federal contractors have a legal obligation to ensure that their compensation practices and policies are free of all forms of discrimination,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Regional Director Michele Hodge in Philadelphia.

 Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, HM Health Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highmark Health, The parent company holds federal contracts totaling $127,782. The parent Highmark Health offers a number of health plans as part of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program through their subsidiaries, Highmark, Inc. and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

If you think you may be a class member employed by HM Health during the investigative period, use OFCCP’s Class Member Locator to learn more about this and other settlements.  Learn more about OFCCP, or call 800-397-6251. OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.