Behavioral Health Insurance Attorney

OIC CAREER OPPORTUNITY
 
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC) Legal Affairs Division is seeking a motivated and qualified individual to fill a Behavioral Health Insurance Attorney (Exempt) position.  This position is located in our Tumwater office.
 
What are we looking for? 
 
We are seeking dynamic individuals who thrive in a team-oriented environment and excel at collaborating with others. Ideal candidates will be passionate about the insurance field and behavioral health care, and eager to engage in a range of complex cases and projects. You should be motivated by continuous learning and looking for a role where you can contribute to a collaborative team and share your subject matter expertise with others in the agency.
 
How will you benefit?
 
As part of the team, you’ll gain valuable career development opportunities as an attorney, acquire experience managing complex behavioral health enforcement cases, and join a supportive and friendly group of colleagues. You’ll also benefit from mentorship and skill-building opportunities with senior attorneys, all while enjoying a flexible 8-5 work schedule.

If you're interested in a dynamic career that protects consumers' interests and promotes a healthy business environment in this state, please apply and become part of our dynamic team.
 
This recruitment may be used to establish a qualified pool of candidates for Insurance Attorney vacancies in the next sixty days.
 
This is an Exempt position. The annual salary range for this position is $82,020 - $114,828.
 
AGENCY PROFILE AND VALUES

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) operates under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. Our mission is to provide consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry.
 
With a workforce of approximately 265 employees, we are one of the smaller state agencies in Washington state government and are fortunate to have a stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.
 
Because we are a small agency, you will truly get a chance to understand the 'big picture' of what we do and why we do it. You will also have a chance to get to know your co-workers.
 
We value diversity in the workplace. We challenge our employees to continuously improve the way we do business and to meet and exceed the needs of our customers.
 
To learn more about this agency, we invite you to visit our website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/ and listen to our employees talk about why they love working here. 
 
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR OIC

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We offer a great selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, and compensation benefits for you and your family.
 
Additional Benefits:
 
 

• Wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance.
• Washington State Employee Assistance Program.
• Federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
• Additional Leave; Leave Sharing, Parental Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Leave Without Pay.
• Deferred Compensation (supplemental retirement plan).
• Training and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
• Program for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (if applicable)
• Free parking at our main office in Tumwater.
• A stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.
• The fulfillment of public service.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Flexible work schedules and telework opportunities.
• Commitment to diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust.
• Free Thurston County Transit public transportation.

Duties

The duties of the position include, but are not limited to:
 

• Provide legal guidance to the agency’s Market Conduct Oversight staff.
• Identify areas of noncompliance in the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors used by health plans to administer behavioral health and substance use disorder benefits.
• Review cases to ensure that enforcement action is factually supportable and legally defensible.
• Research relevant laws and comparable cases to determine a range of appropriate agency action.
• Prepare memoranda for agency enforcement committees, verbally summarize and present cases, and make recommendations for appropriate enforcement actions.
• Draft disciplinary orders, admonitory letters, compliance plans, letters and closing memoranda.
• Negotiate penalties and/or appropriate remedial measures to be taken.
• Present OIC’s position at hearing before the Presiding Officer and the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Draft briefs, pleadings, and motions; prepares discovery and associated responses, oral arguments, exhibits and examinations and cross examinations of witnesses; and present evidence using the rules of evidence contained in the Administrative Procedures Act.
• Receive requests for legal perspective requiring the interpretation of insurance law and regulation.

Required Qualifications: 
 

• Graduation from an accredited law school and possession of an active license to practice law upon start date.
• One (1) year of experience interpreting, applying, implementing, or enforcing the provisions of state or federal mental health parity laws and rules. This experience can be any combination of civil or administrative litigation, conducting comparative analyses of health plan benefits, implementing utilization review processes or similar health plan operations, health care compliance or auditing, and/or relevant continuing legal education.

 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
 

• The insurance industry or insurance regulation field (either as an attorney or practitioner).
• Health plan compliance.
• Government regulation and enforcement.
• Participating in administrative hearings as an attorney.
• Paid litigation experience.
• Washington State legislative process, including bill analysis.