• Lead Medical Director-Government Programs
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

As Lead Medical Director for Government Programs, Dr. Rao-Patel oversees the Medical Directors responsible for the utilization and care management activities for Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Program (FEP), and the NC State Health Plan lines of business at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Her additional responsibilities also include the role of interim Chief Medical Officer for Healthy Blue (Medicaid).

In addition to this role, Dr. Rao-Patel is leading an internal opioid workgroup where she is working collaboratively with other key stakeholders at both state and national levels to identify solutions and best practices on the treatment of substance use disorder while focusing on effective care coordination for member focused care delivery.

Dr. Rao-Patel attended medical school at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge. She then completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, she was in private practice providing services for chronic pain management and addiction management. She continues to be clinically active and see patients on a part-time basis in addition to her role at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.