Associate General Counsel, Distinguished

Blue Shield of California • Oakland, CA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel, Distinguished, supports Blue Shield of California and Promise Health Plan’s government programs, including Medicare, Medi-Cal (Medicaid), and Duals Special Needs Plans (DSNP). Reporting to the Managing Associate General Counsel, Government Programs, this role provides legal advice and counsel on a broad range of health law issues. The position requires adaptability, business acumen, and a strong commitment to excellence. Key areas of focus include regulatory filings for Promise Health Plan, day-to-day legal support for Medicare and Medi-Cal operations, and collaboration with Compliance teams.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Active membership in good standing of the California bar, or an active license in good standing in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia, with Registered In-House Counsel status in California maintained or obtainable.
• At least 8 years of experience providing legal advice in relevant areas of law, such as corporate, privacy, health care regulatory, litigation, or contracts, at a top law firm or in-house corporate law department.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong independent judgment, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and analytical skills, along with high integrity and a strong moral compass.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, manage multiple tasks, and deliver high-quality work in a highly regulated, demanding, and changing corporate environment.
• Ability to lead individuals and teams and work independently and collaboratively, applying people-management and mentoring skills.
• Expertise advising managed care organizations, preferably focused on Medicare, Medi-Cal, and DSNP.
• Knowledge of the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act and understanding of Medicare rules and regulations (CMS), Department of Health Care Services contracts, and associated Medi-Cal all plan letters.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing statutes, regulations, and sub-regulatory guidance.
• Experience working with the Department of Managed Health Care and providing clients with regulatory advice on Department filings.
• Strong ability to provide risk assessment and mitigation support.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing legal advice to managed care organizations with a focus on Medicare, Medi-Cal, and DSNP.

Responsibilities

• Research and advise company personnel at all levels on legal, regulatory, and contractual matters affecting government programs, including Medi-Cal and Medicare.
• Manage outside counsel and ensure adherence to the outside counsel budget.
• Review and advise on vendor agreements for Blue Shield’s Medicare line of business and Promise Health Plan’s Medi-Cal line of business, and support key regulatory filings for those lines of business.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external constituents that enhance the Company’s reputation as a health plan, employer, and corporate citizen.
• Work directly with Medicare and Medi-Cal Compliance teams to provide legal and regulatory guidance concerning regulatory audits and notifications to regulators.
• Advise Medicare and Medi-Cal business units on strategic projects and initiatives.
• Work with Law Department leadership to define and execute Law Department operational plans.
• Support the Network Legal Team for government programs to help ensure regulatory requirements are met when contracting with providers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Hybrid workplace model balancing in-person collaboration with flexibility; most teams work in the office two days each week. Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location determine in-office time with their manager based on business need.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree