David O. Ault
Counsel
David focuses his practice on advising complex health systems, health care providers and payers on the regulatory, contracting, compliance and litigation aspects of health insurance. He routinely advises clients on the analytical underpinnings of government health insurance models and regulations, the inner-workings of the regulatory bodies that develop these systems, as well as the compliance challenges and litigation risks that health insurance stakeholders face.
David brings an insider’s understanding to the regulatory challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing health insurance space. A former government litigator and authority on alternative payment models under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), David now advises health care providers and payers on regulatory, compliance and litigation issues in health insurance, focusing on value-based contracting. He also provides counsel on complex issues arising from pharmaceutical manufacturer government price calculation and reporting practices.
David has spent years on the forefront of key industry trends and shifts, including the broader transition to value-based reimbursement. He spent almost a decade with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including serving as director of the Division of Financial Risk within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (a subset of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)).
Publications
- Co-author, “Bringing Value-Based Care to Cancer Treatment Past, Present, and Future,” American Health Law Association (December 19, 2022) Copyright 2022, American Health Law Association, Washington, DC. Reprint permission granted.
- Quoted, “The Next Step in Biden’s Effort to Lower Drug Prices,” Axios (October 21, 2022)
- Quoted, “ACOs Unsure About Health Equity Adjustment to REACH Model,” Modern Healthcare (May 18, 2022)
- Profiled, “Ropes & Gray Adds Former CMS Atty to Health Care Practice,” Law360 (March 21, 2022)
- Cited, “David Ault Appointed to Counsel in Ropes & Gray Health Care Group in Washington D.C.,” Washington Post (March 22, 2022)
- Profiled, “Ropes & Gray Adds Former CMS Attorney to Health Care Practice,” Law360 (March 21, 2022)
- Cited, “Prescription Pulse: Pharma Moves,” Politico (March 15, 2022)
- Profiled, “Ropes & Gray’s Health Care Practice Grows With Arrival Of David Ault,” Home Dialysis News (March 14, 2022)
- Quoted, “CMMI's pause on direct contracting model leaves industry in limbo,” Modern Healthcare (May 12, 2021)
- Quoted, “MAOs Dabble in FFS Medicare Via Direct Contracting Model,” RADAR on Medicare Advantage (April 16, 2021)
- Quoted, “CMMI’s geographic direct contracting model needs an overhaul, experts say,” Modern Healthcare (February 10, 2021)
- Co-author, “TrendWatch: Teaching Hospitals’ Impact in a Transforming Health Care Landscape,” American Hospital Association’s TrendWatch (November 2021)
- Quoted, “Direct contracting favors new entrants over existing ACOs,” Modern Healthcare (October 10, 2021)
- Quoted, “Calls mount for CMS to address problem of patient overlap across payment models,” Modern Healthcare (September 9, 2021)
- Quoted, “Drug Prices,” CQ Roll Call (June 12, 2019)
- Co-author, “Patients and Primary Care Physicians at the Center of New CMS Innovation Models,” Medical Alley (June 1, 2019)
Presentations
- Panelist, “Value-Based Care 2.0: What Lies Ahead?” Ropes & Gray’s health care group virtual conference (June 22—23, 2022)
- Speaker, “The Future of Value-Based Care,” Medical Alley Association webinar (May 26, 2021)
- Speaker, American Telemedicine Association’s EDGE: Policy 2019 Conference (November 20, 2019)
- Presenter, “CMS Primary Cares Intiative,” VillageMD (July 25, 2019)
- Speaker, “Medicare Advantage and Part D Update,” 2019 Health Law Institute (June 19, 2019)
Education
- JD, Wake Forest University School of Law, 2006
- BA (Biology and Psychology), Middlebury College, 2001; All-College Scholar
Admissions / Qualifications
Qualifications
- District of Columbia, 2019
- Maryland, 2006
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States