MaineHealth has launched an innovative primary care service designed to transform how Mainers access and experience care. Trellis Health, with its first practice at 1945 Congress Street in Portland, offers a membership model that includes a primary care provider, behavioral health specialist, pharmacist, physical therapist and a health coach all collaborating as a coordinated team.

MaineHealth developed Trellis Health as a wholly owned subsidiary to address some of the most urgent challenges in Maine’s healthcare landscape, like rising costs, limited access, fragmented services and growing rates of provider burnout. Patients can expect timely access to care, longer appointments and a team that works together to keep them well. Monthly payments cover all services, including in-person visits, virtual care and care coordination.

“At Trellis Health, we believe great care starts with a strong, trusting relationship between patients and their care team,” said Tamara StClaire, President of Trellis Health and MaineHealth Chief Business Transformation Officer. “We’ve created a model that simplifies access and payment, so the focus stays where it belongs – on health, not hurdles.” 

MaineHealth began offering Trellis Health memberships to its care team at the end of 2024 and its Portland-based practice is now open to community members across the state. Trellis also offers employers looking for ways to reduce costly emergency, urgent care and specialty care visits the opportunity to sponsor memberships as part of their benefit packages.

“Their patient care and clinical experience is fantastic,” said Jennifer Schoonover, the wife of a MaineHealth care team member and Trellis Health patient who visits the office for primary care, pharmacy and physical therapy services. “Everything is right there in the same office, and I never have to wait for an appointment.”

While current federal regulations don’t allow Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries to participate in direct primary care models like Trellis Health, recent legislation has made it possible for individuals to use Health Savings Account (HSA) dollars to cover their monthly membership fee starting January 2026.

“The development of Trellis Health reflects the MaineHealth vision of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” said MaineHealth CEO, Dr. Andy Mueller. “We know our current primary care model works for many of our patients, and Trellis offers an approach that we believe will lead to improved access to care, lower costs, a positive patient experience and better health outcomes for our community.”

Trellis offers both individual and household memberships starting at $109 a month as well as employer-sponsored memberships. Patients and employers who are interested in exploring the Trellis Health model can find more information at trellishealth.org.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.