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Cassandra L. Paolillo

(she/her/hers)

Of Counsel

[email protected]

+1.617.348.1828

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Cassie’s practice primarily involves advising health care clients on transactional and regulatory matters, including serving as regulatory counsel on health care transactions and assisting clients in establishing and implementing MSO-PC arrangements. She frequently oversees the health care regulatory aspects of complex transactions in the health care industry, including recent private equity investments in pediatric, dental, ambulatory surgery, and addiction treatment providers. She has also served as regulatory counsel to various institutional lenders in financing transactions in connection with the acquisition of health and life science industry companies. Cassie regularly acts as a subject matter expert, advising clients on HIPAA/privacy compliance, telehealth and other digital health matters, corporate practice issues, professional and facility licensing, determinations of need/certificates of need, and Medicare and Medicaid compliance. Cassie also has experience advising non-profit organizations on matters related to formation and corporate governance. 

Throughout her career, Cassie has worked with providers, payors, individual patients, and a range of investors in the health care space, so she understands the unique challenges facing clients in the ever-changing health care landscape. She enjoys working with interdisciplinary teams to come up with creative solutions to her clients’ problems. 

Prior to joining Mintz, Cassie worked as in-house counsel at a national senior living company. There she advised the business on matters related to state and federal health care regulations, physician arrangements, reimbursement, fraud and abuse, and HIPAA/privacy. Cassie’s in-house experience informs current her practice, enabling her to anticipate and relate to clients’ legal and business needs.

A member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, Cassie is particularly passionate about addressing health disparities, focusing on increasing access to reproductive health care and behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment. She currently serves on the Board of the South Boston Collaborative Center, a substance abuse and mental health treatment center located in South Boston.

viewpoints

Since the beginning of the pandemic, telehealth providers have seen a dramatic increase in demand for their services along with a number of temporary regulatory measures aimed at expanding telehealth access to more patient populations. In this post, we outline some important developments that will bring greater certainty to telehealth providers and suggest that expanded access to telehealth is here to stay.
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pushing ahead in its Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care with a new proposed rule, announced by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights on December 10, to modify the HIPAA Privacy Rule. This proposed rule follows HHS’ 2018 Request for Information on Modifying HIPAA Rules to Improve Coordinated Care, which sought to identify regulatory impediments to value-based care presented by HIPAA. With this proposed rule, HHS aims to “reduce burden on providers and support new ways for them to innovate and coordinate care on behalf of patients, while ensuring that [HHS] uphold[s] HIPAA’s promise of privacy and security,” according to HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan. It would achieve these objectives through a variety of updates to the Privacy Rule, which we highlight in this blog post, along with initial reactions from our HIPAA privacy team.
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As COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise in areas of the country, telehealth continues to play an important role in the delivery of healthcare, especially to those most vulnerable to the virus. Existing telehealth waivers continue in effect under the Public Health Emergency, and new legislation seeks to expand telehealth access through home health services. Plus, join us for a webinar on the future of telehealth.
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CMS Announces Final Rule on ESRD Treatment Choices Model

September 24, 2020 | Blog | By Cassandra Paolillo

Last week, CMS announced the finalized End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Choices Model (ETC Model), which will test whether incentivizing home dialysis and kidney transplantation will reduce Medicare expenditures while maintaining or improving the quality of care furnished to beneficiaries with ESRD. This post summarizes how participants are selected, the specific payment changes, and the overall timeline.
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On August 4, CMS posted a proposed rule on CY 2021 Payment Policies, which included important updates about the expansion of Medicare covered telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we cover this and other important developments related to telehealth access during the pandemic and beyond.
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Senate HELP Committee Signals Support for Permanently Expanding Telehealth Access

June 24, 2020 | Blog | By Cassandra Paolillo, Ellen Janos

Last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (“Senate HELP”) held a hearing entitled “Telehealth: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic," during which the Committee members expressed support for permanently expanding access to telehealth services. In this blog post, we discuss the Committee's proposals and the additional steps needed to permanently expand access to telehealth.
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In an interview yesterday, CMS administrator Seema Verma expressed support for permanently expanding access to telehealth services after the COVID-19 public health emergency resolves. Here, we explore the nature and duration of the temporary executive and regulatory orders, emergency legislation, and sub-regulatory guidance, which have resulted greater access to telehealth while leaving a fair amount of uncertainty as to what the future of telehealth looks like.
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Earlier this month, Blue Bell Creameries L.P. (Blue Bell) agreed to plead guilty to charges that it distributed contaminated ice cream products that were linked to a 2015 listeriosis outbreak.  The Blue Bell outbreak made headlines in 2015, largely because it resulted in multiple cases of listeriosis and, tragically, three deaths.  Aside from the obvious health-related consequences to the public and reputational harm to the nationally-known manufacturer of sweet treats, the basis for the various charges and causes of action related to the outbreak demonstrate the broad range of legal consequences, both civil and criminal, that can result from the failure to address food safety requirements and regulatory compliance more generally.
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On August 22, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (“SAMHSA”) announced a new proposed rule (the “Proposed Rule”) amending 42 CFR part 2 (“Part 2”), which is aimed at protecting patient records created by federally funded programs for the treatment of substance use disorder (“SUD”). The Proposed Rule is aimed at alleviating these concerns within the constraints of the underlying statute, while also addressing the increasingly urgent need to streamline SUD services in light of the opioid epidemic. Here we’ll discuss some of the major changes under the Proposed Rule while highlighting the challenges that remain.
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Last week, President Trump signed an “Executive Order on Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare to Put Patients First.” The order, which “seeks to enhance the ability of patients to choose the healthcare that is best for them,” includes a number of provisions requiring the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Treasury and others to pass regulations to increase transparency for patients. The following is a summary of the executive order and a brief overview of what providers and others in the healthcare industry can anticipate going forward.
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News & Press

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Mintz advised Seven Starling, a virtual health provider specializing in mental health care during fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood, on its $8M Series A-Prime financing, led by Rethink Impact. 

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173 Mintz attorneys across 53 practice areas have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Five Mintz attorneys received 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 61 firm attorneys were included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2025 edition of Legal 500 United States and Canada guides. The firm is recognized in 20 practice categories, and 78 of its attorneys are individually ranked in the guide, with several receiving recognition in more than one category. Additionally, two attorneys are featured in the "Hall of Fame," seven attorneys are named "Leading Lawyers," and five attorneys are recognized as a "Next Generation Lawyers."

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Pratt's Privacy and Cybersecurity Report published an article by Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Co-chair Scott Lashway, Special Counsel Matthew MK Stein, Of Counsel Cassandra Paolillo, and Associate Kayla LaRosa examining the differences between the New York legislature's version of Washington's My Health Data Act and the Washington law. The New York Health Information Privacy Act currently awaits Kathy Hochul’s signature.

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 35 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2024.

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187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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Mintz is pleased to share that Member Natalie Groot and Of Counsel Cassandra Paolillo have been selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as 2024 Excellence in Law ‘Up & Coming Lawyer’ honorees.

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 32 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 27 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2023.

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

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35 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 25 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2022.

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podcasts

Health Law Diagnosed – Understanding the New Massachusetts Health Care Market Review Law

March 11, 2025 | Podcast | By Bridgette Keller, Deborah Daccord, Kate Stewart, Cassandra Paolillo

Host Bridgette Keller discusses the new Massachusetts Health Care Market Review Law and what this means for health care providers, investors, and other key stakeholders. She is joined by Member Deb Daccord, Of Counsel Cassie Paolillo, and Of Counsel Kate Stewart, who share their insights on the law’s far-reaching implications.

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As the Mintz Health Law team welcomes the beginning of 2024, many of its members take a moment to reflect on the exciting growth of the Health Law Practice, opportunities to partner with clients on complex legal issues, and the celebration of numerous milestones.

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Mintz Health Law: What We Are Grateful For

January 11, 2023 | Podcast | By Bridgette Keller

Bridgette Keller speaks with the Mintz Health Law team about what they are grateful for as they look back on a year of client service, mentorship, and working together as a team.

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Telehealth has the potential to counteract historical disparities in access to health care. Listen to hear how Andy Ward, Director of the South Boston Collaborative Center, and Kate Steinle, Chief Clinical Officer of Folx Health, are leveraging telehealth to serve their communities.

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Health Law Diagnosed: Transactions Part 2: Health Regulatory Diligence and How to Prepare for a Sell-Side Transaction

March 24, 2022 | Podcast | By Tara E. Dwyer, Xavier Hardy, Bridgette Keller, Lauren Moldawer, Cassandra Paolillo, Kate Stewart

Health regulatory diligence has the ability to make or break a deal. Listen to hear about our team’s firsthand experience in the importance of conducting health regulatory diligence and best practices in preparing for a sell-side transaction.

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Health Law Diagnosed — Transactions Part 1: Regulatory Trends in Recent Health Care Transactions

March 3, 2022 | Podcast | By Xavier Hardy, Bridgette Keller, Lauren Moldawer, Cassandra Paolillo, Kate Stewart

2021 was a busy year for Mintz ’s Health Law team, as they helped clients navigate complex health care transactions.
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Health Law Diagnosed — Telehealth Transformation: Where We Are and Where We’re Headed

April 9, 2021 | Podcast | By Ellen Janos, Cassandra Paolillo

The ability to provide health care from a remote location has been around for many years, but with the arrival of COVID-19, hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers have had to rapidly rethink their traditional models of health care delivery.
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Events & Speaking

Speaker
Apr
4
2023

Tracking Technologies in Health Care

Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation

Online Event

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Panelist
Dec
1
2020

Telehealth: What's Next?

Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (WBL) Event

Online Event

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Recognition & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch - Health Care Law (2024 - 2026)

  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Healthcare: Service Providers (2025)

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Health Care (2022 – 2024)

  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Up & Coming Lawyer (2024)

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Involvement

  • Member, American Health Law Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association
  • Board Member, South Boston Collaborative Center
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Cassandra L. Paolillo

(she/her/hers)

Of Counsel

Boston