Associate Counsel, Government Health Plans

Habitat For Humanity Of Durham; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross NC is seeking an Associate Counsel to support the State Health Plan TPA contract, collaborating with business teams to ensure contractual compliance and manage legal risk. The role offers exposure to government contracting and health plan operations, with opportunities to influence provider contracting and network strategies.

The position requires a law degree and NC licensure within one year, with 3+ years of experience, and a focus on HIPAA, regulatory compliance, and complex health

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school required.
• 3+ years of experience in related field.
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina or must obtain license within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as dedicated legal counsel supporting Blue Cross NC's administration of the State Health Plan TPA contract.
• Act as the day-to-day resource for business teams supporting the State Health Plan account, providing timely legal guidance on operational, contractual, regulatory, and implementation matters.
• Develop and maintain deep subject matter knowledge of the State Health Plan contract, including performance guarantees, service levels, reporting obligations, implementation requirements, financial provisions, audit rights, and operational commitments.
• Research and analyze federal and state laws, regulations, administrative guidance, and case law applicable to health plans, government programs, and third-party administration services.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of legal documents, including provider agreements, data sharing agreements, vendor agreements, business associate agreements, amendments, and operational documentation.
• Support implementation and ongoing administration of State Health Plan initiatives, benefit changes, network arrangements, and vendor integrations.
• Advise business partners on compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, privacy, security, data governance, and information-sharing requirements.
• Support responses to audits, investigations, administrative inquiries, regulatory requests, and contractual compliance reviews.
• Assist with public records requests, confidentiality analyses, and protection of trade secret and proprietary information.
• Monitor legal, regulatory, and legislative developments impacting the State Health Plan, government health programs, and health plan administration and communicate practical implications to business stakeholders.
• Provide legal support related to appeals, grievances, provider disputes, claims administration issues, and member complaints.
• Develop and deliver training to business partners on legal and compliance topics.
• Support strategic initiatives involving value-based care, alternative payment models, provider contracting, and network innovation.
• Draft and review executive communications, board materials, regulatory responses, and other business-facing legal guidance.
• Provides support on developing legal issues and performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Contract negotiations

Contract management

Contract evaluations

Contracts analysis

Regulatory compliance

Legal documents preparation

Legal counsel

Government affairs

Regulatory filings

Statutory interpretation

Law

Legal compliance

Outside counsel management

HIPAA/privacy

Health care contracts

Public procurement

Education

Graduate of an accredited law school

Job description

Blue Cross NC is seeking an Associate Counsel to support the State Health Plan TPA contract, collaborating with business teams to ensure contractual compliance and manage legal risk. The role offers exposure to government contracting and health plan operations, with opportunities to influence provider contracting and network strategies.

The position requires a law degree and NC licensure within one year, with 3+ years of experience, and a focus on HIPAA, regulatory compliance, and complex health