When it comes to vertical industries that MSPs can specialize in, healthcare has been at the top of the list. But so-called meaningful use guidelines have been a thorny mess for healthcare organizations and MSPs to navigate. Now healthcare-oriented IT service providers can get a look at the government’s proposed rules for running the second phase of its electronic health record (EHR) incentive program.

The meaningful use initiative provides payments to physicians and hospitals based on their ability to meet the government’s criteria for effective deployment of EHR technology. The program kicked off in 2011 under a set of requirements known as Stage 1 criteria.

The proposed criteria for Stage 2 of meaningful use appeared March 7 in the Federal Register, followed by a 60-day public comment period. A final rule on Stage 2 criteria is expected later this year with the rule going into effect in 2014.

MSPs, however, may want to start assembling the skill sets and partnering arrangements they’ll need to help healthcare clients hit the new meaningful use targets. Last year, much of the work in meaningful use focused on EHR adoption and meeting the basic requirements for receiving the incentive payments. EHR implementation projects (on-premise deals or helping customers get set up with SaaS solutions) will continue to keep service providers occupied this year, as the market is still quite a ways away from saturation.

On the ambulatory side, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 57 percent of office-based physicians used electronic records systems in 2011 and 52 percent of physicians said they intended to apply for meaningful use incentives.

A Wider Set of Services

The Stage 2 criteria, however, will push healthcare organizations beyond core EHR deployment. MSPs should be prepared to provide a wider set of services.

Here are a few areas to consider: