Background

The Maryland Health Care Commission has invited stakeholders to participate on an Advisory Panel to develop criteria for State Designation of Management Service Organizations (MSOs). During the 2009 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 706, Electronic Health Records – Regulation and Reimbursement, which was signed into law on May 19th by Governor Martin O'Malley.

The law is aimed at expanding the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) through financial incentives from state-regulated payers to providers that use certified EHRs capable of connecting to the state designated health information exchange. The law also requires that the MHCC designate MSOs by October 2012. The MHCC convened an Advisory Panel to assist in the development of the evaluation criteria for MSOs that seek State Designation.

Scope of Work

The Advisory Panel (see MSO Members list below) assisted in the development of the criteria that the MHCC will use in evaluating MSOs that seek State Designation. A sub-group (members denoted on MSO Members list with an *) consisting of representatives from the Advisory Panel formed to develop a working draft of the criteria for evaluation by the entire Advisory Panel. The sub-group developed proposed criteria that pertain to privacy and security, technical performance, business practices, resources, and meaningful use. The Advisory Panel made final recommendations to the MHCC in March 2010.

MSO Members