FAQ

Vela medicine is a good fit for people who already have a PCP but desire additional insight or longer discussions about their health concerns. You might be curious about perimenopause/menopause symptoms or treatments, chronic disease prevention or just want to talk through something that has been bothering you. You might also want to have a trustworthy provider in your back pocket for more urgent health questions for your or your family members. We provide treatment to all ages.

Providers at Vela work alongside your other providers to provide you additional layers of support and guidance. It is a good fit for people who desire building a trusted relationship with someone they feel comfortable being curious about their health.

Fill out our intake form to see if we're right for you.

No. Insurance plans often severely limit the time a physician can spend with a patient and sometimes can even limit the type of care we are able to provide.

Vela Medicine PLLC does not participate with insurance plans. We did not make this decision lightly. In order to provide high-quality, comprehensive care to patients, we are unable to participate with insurance at this time.

Payment is due at time of services through our secure billing platform, unless on a monthly plan.

Not yet! As of now, all of our visits are via secure video for patients residing in Maine.

Telehealth can allow for more flexible scheduling and consistent access to care, especially for busy individuals navigating school and work. We do offer home visits for an additional fee and only within a reasonable distance of Portland, ME, if scheduling allows.

We do, yes! We currently have a waitlist of patients who have Medicare. If you have Medicare and are interested in working with Vela, please get on the waitlist here. [hyperlink to contact form] It is very important to let us know if you are on Medicare!

We treat more chronic conditions such as menopause and perimenopause-related symptoms, metabolic conditions, mental health treatment, sexual health concerns and urinary incontinence, as well as consult for more urgent needs such as upper respiratory infections and musculoskeletal injuries.

We also offer second opinion and healthcare navigation consults, which are extended visits to discuss complicated medical situations, provide education and guidance

Find out if Vela is right for your needs by completing our intake form.

Yes. We currently partner with Nordx to provide laboratory services. If indicated, these will be ordered and patients will go to a Nordx location to have their labs drawn. These will be billed to your insurance, if applicable, or you will receive a bill for cash prices. It is the patient’s responsibility to cover the cost or copays of any labwork completed.

If labs are ordered, a follow up visit is mandatory to review them and make a plan for care going forward.

Yes. Emily Hill is a board-certified family medicine physician with an active medical license in Maine. Chronic/on-going medications require a $100/month fee and at least one short follow up visit, depending on the medication.

Controlled substances are not prescribed on initial visits. Decisions to prescribe such medications are made on a case-by-case basis, after carefully considering the clinical necessity and evaluating their risk. Chronic medications and controlled substances are considered for patients who demonstrate ongoing engagement in their treatment plans, with appropriate follow up required.

Visits can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. A visit cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged 50% of the visit cost. If there are unforeseen emergency circumstances, please let us know as soon as possible and we can consider other options.

For patients on a monthly membership plan, the same policy applies.

Unfortunately, no. We recommend you establish care with your PCP and gynecologist for routine, preventative healthcare.