PEB Staff Attorney
Location: Olympia, Washington
Description: Washington State Health Care Authority is currently seeking to employ PEB Staff Attorney right now, this career will be settled in Washington. Further informations about this career opportunity kindly read the description below. **This position is currently under review. It is anticipated that it will be a Washington Management Services Band 2. The first review of applications will begin on August! 30, 2013 . The hiring manager may close this recruitment at any time **
The Health Care Authority is Washington’s largest health care purchaser, responsible for providing comprehensive health coverage to more than 1.5 million residents through the Public Employees Benefits (PEB) program and as the single state agency for the Medicaid program. To meet its mission, HCA strives to be a prudent purchaser of health care and an account able organization, providing health transformation leadership to the benefit of both the public and private sectors with a focus on moving the health delivery system away from volume toward higher value and better outcomes. Increasingly, HCA is involved in activities under the Affordable Care Act through Medicaid Expansion and subsidies available in the Health Benefit Exchange. The agency anticipates more than 300,000 new clients over the next two years. HCA is a key player in the effort to develop a streamlined, efficient process for g! aining health coverage for high quality health care services. !
The Olympia office is located in downtown Olympia, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bus lines, and less than two (2) miles from the freeway.
For more about our agency and its mission, visit our Web site at http://www.hca.wa.gov/ .
POSITION DESCRIPTION :
This position reports directly to the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) Manager, and works directly with the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). The PEBB program provides insurance coverage for eligible employees of state agencies, higher-education institutions, and employer groups, and their family members. PEBB also offers retiree benefits for those who meet state eligibility and procedural requirements. The position is the agency's legal subject matter expert on employee health benefit plans, self-insurance plans, COBRA, ERISA, and self-insurance health plans, and works directly with the State Attorney General's Office in regard to litigation in which the agency is invol! ved. The position advises the various programs within HCA as to their legal obligations and risks, assists in writing Washington Administrative Code (WAC) governing the PEB programs and in writing agency administrative policies and procedures. The position is also responsible for writing and maintaining the State's IRC Section 125 Cafeteria Plan and ensuring compliance with the plan. The position is assigned legislative analysis during the legislative session and may assist in the development of agency request legislation. This position also provides assistance in contracting and procurement and other duties as assigned .
Provides legal consultation to PEB first level appeals staff and/or directly presents appeal recommendations to the PEB Appeals Committee. The position serves as legal/policy advisor to the OLA Manager, Assistant Director of PEB, the Deputy Assistant Director of PEB, HCA Chief Administrative Officer, and other agency executives primarily regarding! employee benefit program issues. The position also provides research, ! advice and written legal analysis and oral presentations on a variety of other subject matters including contracts and acquisitions; vendor disputes; Open Public Meetings Act; and the Administrative Procedures Act. The position serves as an additional legal resource to conduct research and analysis of, and consider and make decisions on, disputes related to overpayments, vendor protests, public records request denials, provider agreement terminations, and provider rates.
Duties:
DUTIES :
Serves as in-house legal advisor to agency executive team and OLA appeals staff and the PEB Appeals Committee related to PEB hearings and appeals. May represent HCA in complex administrative hearings as assigned by the OLA Manager before an HCA Presiding Officer or before the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with agency rules, the Washington Administrative Procedures Act, and all state and federal laws.
Serves as in-house legal adviser to HC! A staff regarding a wide array of issues dealing with Public Employee Benefits, including COBRA, ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, self insurance health plans, outside 3rd party administration issues, coordination of benefits, long-term disability, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
Act as a liaison to the Attorney General's Office to facilitate discovery in civil litigation proceedings and to coordinate the agency's litigation defense strategy, and/or assist with discovery, as directed by the OLA Manager.
Materially contribute to identifying risk management strategies, proposing and drafting of technical requirements, and terms and conditions for contracts and competitive bidding processes involving the acquisition of medical, dental benefits, or other employee benefits for current and retired WA government employees .
Participates as part of the PEB legal team, reviews draft rules, recommends changes to rules or policies to mitigate agency ri! sk and to comply with state and federal law .
Representing Health C! are Authority to internal or external entities (e.g., the Department of Enterprise Service, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and the Office of Financial Management, PEBB, Heath Benefit Exchange) on legal or health policy matters of significance to the PEB Program .
Maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and compliance with applicable statutes, rules, HCA policies, and program procedures.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships, and treat others with respect and courtesy.
Proven success working with diverse audiences.
Help capture and maintain data integrity through accurate and timely reporting and assist in the preparation of management reports.
Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :
Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school, active member of the Washington State Bar Association AND
Five (5) years' experience providing legal advice to diverse client! s, preferably government agencies, on complicated legal issues AND
Demonstrated knowledge of Washington laws and rules pertaining to records retention, public disclosure and civil litigation discovery AND
Three (3) years' experience in the health insurance industry, including health benefits contracting and benefits procurement AND
Knowledge of federal and WA state laws relevant to the provision of employee benefits and health care (e.g. HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, and the Internal Revenue Code.
Experience promulgating Washington Administrative Codes
Experience analyzing legislation.
Knowledge about self-insurance health plans.
Demonstrated history of regular and reliable attendance.
Handles customer questions and complaints in a pleasant and professional manner.
Meets commitments, works independently, is accountable and stays focused under pressure.
Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner and maintains confidentiality.
! Ability to see the big picture and gives the appropriate attention to d! etail, shows a commitment to excellence, and regularly strives for quality improvement.
Listens to others, positively contributes to and promotes a team atmosphere.
Strong interpersonal communication skills. PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS :
Knowledge of the Washington state legislative process.
Knowledge of the federal Affordable Care Act and its anticipated effects on state agencies which procure and provide health benefits.
Knowledge about Health Savings/Spending Accounts
Demonstrated experience in setting realistic and measurable goals.
Knowledge of WA state procurement and contracting laws and regulations.
Project management experience.
Experience drafting agency policies and procedures.
Experience formulating legal defense strategies, preferably on behalf of state agencies.
Mediation experience.
Supplemental Information:
**Special Note: Persons under final consideration for initial appointment wit! hin the agency are subject to a background check. Failure to follow the application instructions below will lead to disqualification. If you have questions about the process, or need assistance, please contact the recruiter listed below before the posting closes.
To apply for this position you will need to complete your profile within www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications of this position
Current resume
List of three professional references The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability that need assistance in the application or testing process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may contact Leialani Jensen at (360) 725-1412 or Leialani.jensen@hca.wa.gov .
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If you were eligible to this career, please deliver us your resume, with salary ! requirements and a resume to Washington State Health Care Authority.
Interested on this career, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This career will be started on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 20:54:20 GMT