Redefining Healthcare in Northern Michigan

Table Health opts for direct primary care, expands to mental health services

By Hanna Lee-Kleb | Dec. 21, 2024

In an era when healthcare can feel impersonal and rushed, Table Health of Traverse City is hoping to redefine the patient experience in Up North.

Founded in 2018 in Traverse City by Dr. Jill Butryn, MD, and Christa Kiessel, Table Health operates on a direct primary care (DPC) model that aims to eliminate traditional insurance barriers and emphasize transparency, authenticity, and value. The practice has since expanded to a second location in Petoskey in 2022, and has continued to grow to offer primary care, wellness services, and most recently, mental health care.

A Name and a Mission

The name “Table Health” is intentionally rich with symbolism, representing inclusivity, collaboration, and community. As Kiessel envisioned, the “table” is central to life in many forms: the dining table, where families and friends gather to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. The boardroom table, a place where peers convene to make impactful decisions. And the exam table, the starting point for patient-doctor relationships.

“We wanted to create a healthcare experience that fosters personal connections and ensures that every member feels valued, seen, and heard,” Butryn explains.

From the outset, Table Health sought to address the frustrations that both patients and providers face in traditional systems.

“We were feeling like it was getting harder and harder to really do medicine well,” Butryn says. “By removing the constraints of insurance, we created a model that allows for more personalized and accessible care.”

What does “removing the constraints of insurance” mean? In 2020, Table Health shifted to Direct Primary Care (DPC), which provides members with a different approach to healthcare. Instead of working with an insurance provider and paying copays and deductibles for primary care, patients pay a monthly fee that covers comprehensive care, from annual exams to urgent health needs.

Members pay $57-$99 per month for a Primary Membership, which offers access to an annual health assessment, unlimited primary care visits, discounted rates on labs, and more. Patients ages 0-39 pay $57 per month, while patients age 40+ fall into the higher price tiers. There is an initial sign-up fee of $100-$200.

The Table Health team believes their model enables longer appointments, fewer patients, and stronger relationships.

For Dr. Vince WinklerPrins, MD, FAAFP, a primary care physician at Table Health, the difference is profound. “Time is the magic sauce,” he says. “With fewer patients and longer visits, I can truly get to know my patients and understand their stories.”

Transparency is another cornerstone of the DPC model. “In a traditional practice, it’s nearly impossible to tell patients how much their visit will cost,” WinklerPrins explains. “At Table Health, patients know exactly what they’re paying for. It removes so much stress and confusion.”

Expanding to Mental Health

Recognizing the critical role of mental health in overall well-being, Table Health launched its Mental Health Membership in 2024. This program offers behavioral health services tailored to individuals, families, and groups.

Sessions are usually offered virtually through teletherapy, but in-person sessions are available upon request at the Traverse City location. Individual memberships run $348 per month, working out to $87 per session for weekly therapy visits. Family memberships are $696 per month, with the ability to schedule two sessions per week rotated among family members.

“The flexibility of this model is what excites me the most,” says Ali Fitzgibbon, LMSW, a mental health clinician and therapist at Table Health. “I can work with individuals or families, address specific concerns, or provide ongoing support. It’s all about meeting people where they’re at.”

Common challenges such as anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder are addressed by the mental health team, who also work closely with primary care providers.

“The collaboration is seamless,” Fitzgibbon says. “I can coordinate directly with physicians, ensuring patients receive holistic and integrated care.”

Fitzgibbon also notes how the model supports families and adapts to their needs. “Sometimes I’ll work with a parent on managing stress, and then we’ll transition to family sessions if that becomes necessary,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to have the flexibility to address everything from individual challenges to more complex family dynamics. We’re really helping patients find balance in their lives.”

WinklerPrins highlights the impact of integrating mental health into the DPC model. “I recently worked with a patient struggling with severe depression. Together with one of our therapists, we’ve been able to provide comprehensive support that’s helping him turn his life around.”

Fitzgibbon agrees the integration of mental health services into the broader healthcare model is a game-changer. “We don’t work in silos here,” she says. “If I’m working with someone who also sees one of our primary care doctors, I can communicate with them directly, ensuring the patient’s care is coordinated and cohesive.”

Patients First

The end goal is that the collaboration between care providers creates an environment where patients feel fully supported.

“It’s not just about treating symptoms—it’s about empowering people to take control of their mental and physical health,” says WinklerPrins. “That’s what makes this model so powerful.”

Table Health’s philosophy is rooted in treating patients as whole individuals. “We look at all facets of their care,” Fitzgibbon says. “By working together, we address their needs more effectively.”

Table Health also offers services like wellness coaching, nutrition counseling, and functional medicine ($185-$550 per appointment). A Wellness Membership is $85/month (plus a $85 sign-up fee) that includes one wellness visit per month, which could be a bodywork/massage appointment or a nutrition visit. Additional services—like a grocery store tour with a registered dietician ($160)—are available à la carte.

The feedback from members speaks volumes. “[Patients are] amazed by how simple, transparent, and personal the experience is,” Butryn says.

Word is getting out, and with growth rates of 30-40 percent annually, Table Health shows no signs of slowing down. Butryn remains committed to expanding where there is need, always guided by the principle of putting the patient at the center.

“It’s about building relationships and creating a different experience—one that treats patients as individuals, not numbers,” Butryn concludes.