_____________________________________________ Lou
Patalano | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
That experience gave Lou a crash course in regulation, enforcement, and fraud investigation from the government’ s perspective. He tried cases, presented before federal grand juries, and partnered with agencies including the FBI, IRS, and US Attorney’ s Offices.
Leadership positions at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina followed, including oversight of its anti-fraud program. He later became the first General Counsel at Cape Fear Valley Health System, supporting its expansion into a regional organization before returning to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina as Deputy General Counsel.
A move to Sentara Health broadened his experience across an integrated health system and health plan, and private practice with K & L Gates added another dimension before he joined Louisiana Blue.
When Louisiana Blue approached Lou, it wasn’ t just about a new title, it was a chance to bring decades of healthcare experience to an organization that shares his values.“ It was exciting for me to join a company with that commitment, that reputation, and that kind of follow-through on its mission and vision,” he recalls. Lou also cited Louisiana Blue’ s status as a Louisiana-based non-profit- always looking out for the best interests of its members and the communities it serves, and often refunding unused premiums to its members- not to shareholders as well as its rich history of supporting other Louisiana-based non-profits that aid the underserved through its Foundation.
Partnering for progress
Healthcare law continues to evolve at speed, and Lou sees legal leadership becoming increasingly intertwined with business strategy.
It’ s a threat that never lets up; AI has only added another layer.“ We have a strong cybersecurity team, but it’ s not stopping all those threat actors out there from trying to hack away and attempting to get through,” Lou observes.
At Louisiana Blue, though, the response isn’ t to retreat into risk avoidance. Lou encourages teams to immerse themselves in the business so they can provide context-driven guidance when challenges emerge.
He expects the same from the leaders who report to him.“ Go out there, learn the business, attend business meetings, learn what you can, because that will help you when you get into a crisis. Those personal relationships in times of calm will feed your analysis and advice going forward.”
One question comes before anything else:“ Where do you want to get to? Tell me what the end product is, and then let’ s work our way back?” That question shows how Lou views legal leadership. He’ s not just a rubber stamp at the end of a project. He’ s a partner shaping the journey from the start.
Go out there, learn the business, attend business meetings, learn what you can, because that will help you when you get into a crisis. Those personal relationships in times of calm will feed your analysis and advice going forward
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