Epstein Becker Green Attorney Recognized for Delivering Actionable Counsel on Mental Health Parity and Federal Compliance

Epstein Becker Green announced today that David M. Shillcutt, Member of the Firm in Health Care & Life Sciences, has been named a 2026 BTI Client Service All-Star. The award recognizes attorneys who are "in the room when decisions get made," “delivering synthesis and strategic direction rather than memos—guidance that is actionable in time to matter.”

"This recognition reflects the kind of counsel our health care clients depend on," said Amy Dow, one of the Chairs of Epstein Becker Green’s national Health Care and Life Sciences Steering Committee. "In-house counsel at health plans and hospital systems need outside counsel who understands federal parity requirements and can work through coverage and compliance questions quickly. David does that work well."

Indeed, federal enforcement of mental health parity is accelerating. The Tri-Agencies' 2025 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Report to Congress—released in February 2026—document findings and corrective actions across more than 39,000 health plans, with enforcement focused on network adequacy, treatment limitations, and reimbursement parity. The enforcement activity has already expanded mental health and substance use disorder access for more than 18 million participants. Health plans and hospital systems now face urgent compliance and coverage questions that require specialized federal health care counsel capable of delivering fast, actionable guidance on shifting regulatory requirements.

David Shillcutt's background and practice focus include:

  • Led physical and mental health integration and substance use disorder delivery system transformation through the CMS Innovation Accelerator Program, along with drafting of CMS Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) mental health and substance use disorder parity regulations
  • Advises health plans, hospital systems, and behavioral health providers on federal and state mental health parity, Medicaid and Medicare coverage decisions, and managed care compliance
  • Has held clinical and policy roles at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), providing direct experience with federal agency guidance and enforcement expectations

"The questions clients bring me rarely have an off-the-shelf answer," Shillcutt said. "The work I enjoy most is finding an approach they haven't considered, reframing the risk, and opening up an option, in time to matter to the decision in front of them."

Shillcutt joins a roster of Epstein Becker Green attorneys recognized as BTI Client Service All-Stars: David Matyas (2012, 2013), Mark Lutes (2016), Patricia (Trish) M. Wagner (2016, 2021), Jennifer Nelson Carney (2020), Peter M. Stein (2020), Elizabeth S. Torkelson (2020), James (Jimmy) J. Oh (2020), and Brian G. Cesaratto (2022).

BTI's Client Service All-Stars award draws on data collected in BTI's Annual Survey of General Counsel, which conducts independent research with senior legal decision makers at large organizations. The survey focuses on clients' perspectives and changing expectations to determine how they acquire, manage, and evaluate professional service providers. BTI does not accept law firm submissions, self-referrals, firm referrals, suggestions, or payments for consideration or inclusion in the award.

In summary, this recognition reflects Shillcutt's ability to deliver timely, practical guidance on behavioral health coverage and service delivery, in particular amid evolving enforcement of mental health parity requirements. For health plans and hospital systems managing federal and state compliance obligations, the award underscores Epstein Becker Green’s capacity to advise on parity, coverage, and reimbursement issues when regulatory scrutiny is high.

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About Epstein Becker Green

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. is a national law firm focused on health care and life sciences; employment, labor, and workforce management; and litigation and business disputes. Our attorneys advise clients at every stage of their business lifecycle, delivering practical, results-driven counsel that shapes strategy, accelerates growth, and safeguards what matters most. We serve organizations of every size, from emerging startups to Fortune 100 companies, across the health care, life sciences, financial services, retail, hospitality, and technology industries. www.ebglaw.com

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