Stipends & Benefits | Residents and Fellows

MaineHealth offers comprehensive and competitive benefits for eligible employees, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• MMC Pension Plan
• Section 529 Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discount Program (i.e., discounted homeowners and auto insurance through participating providers as well as a variety of products and services offered through local and national companies)

Pro-rated benefits are offered to all employees working 20+ hours per week. MaineHealth is compliant with parental leave policies in accordance with the ACGME.

Benefit Plans

• MaineHealth 2025 Healthy Saver Plan
• MaineHealth 2025 Healthy Select Plan
• MaineHealth Medical Plan Comparison Guide
• MaineHealth 2025 Health Plan Biweekly Payroll Deduction Rates
• MaineHealth 2025 Total Rewards Package
• MaineHealth Resident and Fellow Addendum

MaineHealth processes visa sponsorship requests for graduate medical education training on a case-by-case basis. Our resident and fellowship programs will only sponsor J1 visas. Applicants who are invited for an interview should discuss their visa sponsorship request with the residency or fellowship program director. The program director will review your request with the MaineHealth Department of Medical Education. The MaineHealth Department of Medical Education, in consultation with the MaineHealth Human Resources team, is responsible for reviewing and processing visa sponsorship requests.

J-1 Visa Holder Benefits Information

Health Insurance Requirements for Exchange Visitors

Under US Department of State requirements, all J-1 Exchange Visitors (including J-1 students and J-1 scholars) and their J-2 dependent family members are required to have insurance that meets or exceeds the requirements listed in the table below. Failure to maintain adequate insurance may lead to termination of J-1 / J-2 status. For this reason, it is essential that you understand and obtain adequate insurance coverage that meets the J visa obligations.

J-1 / J-2 Insurance Requirements

Insurance plans must provide you and any J-2 family members with benefits to cover medical expenses. In addition, the plan must include a low deductible per accident or illness, and coverage for expenses including medical evacuation to your home country and repatriation of remains in the case of death.

If your insurance plan provides only medical benefits but does not provide for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains, you may need to purchase a supplemental insurance plan that covers these requirements.

MaineHealth Role

• MaineHealth serves as the host employer for J-1 visitors but is not their sponsor.
• Organizations like CIEE and ECFMG act as sponsors and provide additional information and support regarding insurance requirements.

How to Obtain J-1 Insurance Coverage

• MaineHealth offers an Aetna Healthy Select Plan. In 2025, the deductible for Aetna’s Healthy Select Plan increased from $500.00 to $600.00 making it non-compliant with J-1 Visa requirements. While MaineHealth is a host and not a sponsor, MaineHealth will offer an HRA plan with a $100 annual contribution for J-1 Visa CTMs to maintain compliance.
• MaineHealth also offers a high-deductible Aetna Healthy Saver Plan but it does not comply with the J-1 requirements and J-1 visitors should not enroll in that plan.
• J-1 visitor care team members can call the HR Support Center at 207-661-4000 if they want to change their health plan election.

Additional insurance resources are available through the insurance market place at https://www.healthcare.gov/.

Any insurance plan used to meet J-1 visa requirements must either be backed by the full faith and credit of your home government, or underwritten by a corporation having one of the following industry ratings:

• A.M. Best rating of A- or above
• McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims- paying Ability rating of A- or above
• Weiss Research, Inc. rating of ‘B+’ or above
• Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of A- or above
• Moody’s Investor Services rating of A3 or above.

MaineHealth physician residents and fellows may take up to 21 working days of vacation. Residents may roll over up to 3 days into the next academic year; all other unused days are forfeited. Weekend days and holidays, which are not scheduled workdays, are not included within the 21 day allotment.

All residents and fellows have 10 days (80) hours of sick time. At the third post-graduate year and each year thereafter, residents accrue an additional 5 days per year, to a maximum of 35 days. 

MaineHealth is in full compliance with ACGME requirements for resident/fellow leaves of absence. Residents and fellows are eligible for a leave of absence for absences in excess of two weeks. A combination of both vacation and sick time may be used towards the leave.

Specialty-specific ACGME requirements and Specialty Boards may have additional conditions and limits to total time away from the residency/fellowship program. 

MaineHealth offers an employer-sponsored retirement plan which allows participants to contribute a portion of their salary on a pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) basis.

Employer Core & Matching Contributions**

• Eligible upon hire
• Employer will contribute 2 percent of pay to the plan, increasing by 1 percent for each five years of service, to a maximum of 6 percent for Core contribution.
• Employer will match 50 percent on the dollar on the first 4 percent of pay employee contributes for Matching contribution.
• New employees are automatically enrolled in the plan at 3 percent and have the opportunity to contribute a percent of pay up to the annual IRS maximum for regular and catch-up contributions (if age 50 or older).

**Up to the IRS maximum

Resident and Fellow Stipend Policy

MaineHealth is committed to providing adequate financial support of residents/fellows so that they are able to fulfill the responsibilities of their educational programs. Resident/fellow stipends will correspond to the level of training the trainee is assigned to, such that a resident/fellow is paid for the program year job they are doing.

All residents/fellows will receive a stipend from MaineHealth. All residents/fellows will be provided with a written contract outlining the terms and conditions of their appointment to the residency program. This written contract will not require the trainee to sign any agreement not to compete with MaineHealth after leaving its residency program. Resident applicants will be informed in writing of the benefits for residents. The cost of benefits will follow MaineHealth employee guidelines for full vs. part time employees, regardless of schedule. Resident/fellow stipend will start on the first day of orientation.

Consistent with the MaineHealth Leave of Absence Policy for Residents, if a resident takes an approved leave of absence prior to their last year of postgraduate training, advancement to the next postgraduate level, and the subsequent commensurate increase in pay level, will occur when the resident satisfactorily completes the postgraduate level during which the leave of absence occurred.

MaineHealth will commit salary support for any resident or fellow who needs to extend their residency or fellowship program to meet board accreditation requirements.

House Staff Stipend Schedule: 2025-2026

Residency Stipends

Fellowship Stipends

Position Summary

This is highly skilled, professional, patient care work, responsible within the parameters defined by regulation of the State of Maine, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Foundation and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for the 24-hour assessment and management of those patients presented to the physician for evaluation and treatment of medical, surgical and psychiatric service while advancing knowledge, skill, and professional attitude through formal educational program.  This employee will be required to workday, evening, overnight and weekend shifts.  Shifts may exceed 12 hours in duration.  All work hours will comply with the ACGME “Clinical Experience and Education” specifications (Common Program Requirements, Section VI.F).

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Education: Medical degree MD or DO.
2. License/Certifications: N/A
3. Experience: N/A
4. Ability to effectively establish and maintain interpersonal communicative relationships with staff physicians, nurses, patients, families and other hospital personnel. Analytical abilities necessary to obtain medical histories, conduct physical examinations, prepare treatment plans and treat assigned patients with appropriate guidance and direction.
5. Departments may have specific technical standards regarding admission, promotion and graduation.

May perform other duties as assigned.

Values in Action

Patient Centered

• Act with compassion and kindness.
  • Listen actively and validate concerns; focus on the individual's needs.
  • Communicate effectively with patients and families.
  • Treat everyone with respect and courtesy; acknowledge cultural differences.
  • Be empowered to advocate and speak up for patient and client safety.
  • Partner with patients, families and care teams to develop a shared plan.

Respect

• Recognize all patients, visitors and co-workers as valued members of the healthcare team.
  • Listen actively and respond thoughtfully.
  • Treat others as you would want to be treated.
  • Embrace diversity, acknowledging each person's uniqueness.
  • Be empathetic, compassionate and kind.
  • Foster a professional and healing atmosphere.
     

Integrity

• Demonstrate professionalism at all times, regardless of the behavior of others.
  • Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of all.
  • Develop and maintain a culture of trust and accountability.
  • Act with honesty and transparency at all levels of the organization.
  • Model behavior that is consistently honest and ethical.
  • Acknowledge mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

Excellence

• Consistently seek improvements in processes and performance.
  • Set high standards.
  • Strive to exceed expectations with every interaction.
  • Lead by example.
  • Pursue opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally.
  • Work collaboratively as a team.

Ownership

• Follow up and follow through.
  • Look beyond our individual roles to do what is necessary to get the job done successfully.
  • Take responsibility for our actions and our collective outcomes.
  • Approach challenges with optimism.
  • Represent our organization in a positive light.
  • Promote an accountable, fair and supportive environment.

Innovation

• Welcome change with a positive attitude.
  • Inspire others and foster creativity.
  • Be courageous.
  • Encourage diverse perspectives.
  • Invest in people, technology and research.
  • Commit to lifelong learning and educating.

Functional Demands

• Overall Physical Demand Rating:
  • Medium - Exerting up to 20-S0lbs of force occasionally or 10-25Ibs of force frequently or up to l0lbs of force constantly
• Care Provider:
  • Direct - Hands-on patient care
• Exertional:
  • Lift/Carry less than l0lbs: C
  • Lift/Carry 10-25Ibs: 0
  • Lift/Carry 25-S0lbs: 0
• Positions/Postures/Mobility:
  • Reaching above shoulders: 0
  • Reaching arms extended: F
  • Grip/pinch/grasp: C
  • Palm down work: F
  • Fine motor skills: C
  • Keyboarding: 0
  • Writing: 0
  • Repetitive arm movements: C
  • Static standing: C
  • Dynamic standing: F
  • Walking: 0
  • Sitting: F
  • Bending/twisting at waist: 0
  • Ascend/descend stairs: 0
  • Balancing: F
  • Bend/Twist neck: 0
  • Bimanual dexterity: C
  • Reaching below knee level: 0
• Sensory:
  • Hearing
  • Near vision
  • Distance vision
  • Color discrimination
  • Depth perception
  • Talking
• Cognitive:
  • Produce at a set pace or rate
  • Following verbal instructions
  • Following written instructions
  • Critical decision making
  • Working under deadlines
  • Performing multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Working in a fast-paced environment
  • Working independently
  • Remembering accurately
  • Performing tedious/exacting work
  • Effectively cope with potentially stressful situations
• Work Environment:
  • Driving a motor vehicle
  • Operating hand/power tools
  • Working outdoors
  • Temperatures above 80d
  • Temperatures less than 32d
  • Low light environment
• Potential exposure to:
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Biological agents (bacteria/virus, etc.)
  • Chemicals
  • Ionizing radiation
  • Latex (airborne or solid)
• Personal Protective Equipment required:
  • Respirator
  • Latex Gloves
  • Non-latex gloves
  • Face shields/surgical mask
  • Goggles
  • UV goggles/eye shields
  • Lead shields/aprons
  • Fluid resistant gowns/suits
  • Seatbelt

Residents and fellows must show evidence of the following as a condition of employment:

• Varicella (chicken pox) – completed vaccine series or titer
• Measles (rubeola) – completed vaccine series or titer
• Mumps– completed vaccine series or titer
• Rubella (German measles) – completed vaccine series or titer
• Influenza (“flu”) – completed vaccine

View the full policy.

MaineHealth is committed to providing a safe environment for patients and staff. MaineHealth expects health care workers to perform their duties in a manner that does not jeopardize the health and safety of coworkers and patients.

The unlawful or improper presence or use of controlled substances and alcohol poses a threat to the wellbeing of patients and health care staff. Consistent with this concern for safety, MaineHealth entities make all reasonable efforts to ensure a work environment free from the effects of alcohol and drug abuse, and to comply with the Maine Substance Abuse Testing Law (26 M.R.S.A Sec. 681- 690) and the Maine Department of Labor Rules relating to Substance Abuse Testing (adopted October 27, 1989) as well as the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act. In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act MaineHealth follows Federal illegal and controlled substance interpretations.

View the full substance use testing policy.

• MaineHealth Onboarding and Termination Policy

The MaineHealth tuition reimbursement program is available to offset some cost for residents/fellows pursuing advanced degrees or certificates during training. 

MaineHealth also funds a house officer loan program, offering up to $5,000 for house staff in need. This loan is low interest (2%) for the duration of the loan. Talk to your program director to learn more.