Términos y condiciones

Ikigai Family Physician, LLC

Patient Agreement 

 

INTRODUCTION. This Agreement is entered into by and between Ikigai Family Physician (“practice”), a State of New Mexico LLC, Kristy Riniker, MD (physician) and the undersigned patient (“member”). Ikigai Family Physician is a Direct Primary Care medical practice. The physician of Ikigai Family Physician offers primary care and many urgent care services to the members of Ikigai Family Physician. The physician delivers care on behalf of Ikigai Family Physician at 200 Valle Alto Dr NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, and also provides care via electronic communication and phone, and provides visits to patients’ homes. In exchange for the fees set out in this Agreement, the physician and Ikigai Family Physician agree to provide the member the services set forth below. This agreement is entered by mutual voluntary consent.

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SERVICES. Member understands that physician will provide a limited set of services which are generally within the scope of the practice of primary care. Member acknowledges that Ikigai Family Physician’s ability to provide care may be limited by training, experience, equipment and supplies and other unforeseen circumstances.

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• INCLUDED SERVICES. In exchange for the monthly fee described below, Members shall receive the following services:

  • In-person Office Visits. If you choose to be seen in our office, we will generally have a same-day appointment available for you. We will always schedule sufficient time to thoroughly discuss your healthcare. 

  • Virtual Care. Your time is valuable, and so you may choose to receive your care virtually via video visit, telephone or text. We consider Virtual Care a vital part of your membership and we are swift to respond to your needs. 

  • Out of Office Visits. Occasionally, it may be most appropriate for you to receive care at your home or office. We will provide out of office visits as our schedule allows, subject to certain limitations. Home visits within the service area of the communities of Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo, and Albuquerque are included. The boundaries of the service area are 550 to the north, 423 to the south, the Rio Grande to the east, Unser to the West. Home visits outside of these areas will be charged travel time at a rate of $100/hour.

  • Annual Physical Exam. Your health and longevity are best served by periodic oversight. Therefore, we will perform a comprehensive annual physical examination to monitor existing health conditions and recommend preventative treatments. 

  • Participation Physical Exam. Often a physical exam is needed for work, school, sports or camps. This is included as part of your membership and we can provide you with standard forms or fill out whatever forms are needed by your organization.

  • Urgent Care. When you do not feel well, we can evaluate you in-person or virtually at home or the location of your choosing. 

  • Lifestyle Medicine Program. Your good health is about more than avoidance or management of illness; it is about developing optimal performance for your lifestyle. Our Lifestyle Medicine Program is included in your membership and includes an individualized program focused on the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine - nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, social connection and avoidance of risky substances. 

  • Travel Medicine Consultation. We recommend pretravel consultation 6 weeks before traveling outside the country and will perform risk assessment, advise on vaccines, preventive care planning and contingency care planning. 

  • In-Office Ancillary Diagnostic Services. Your care may require in-office ancillary services such as point of care ultrasound, electrocardiography, peak flow monitoring. Most ancillary services are included in your membership, but some may have an additional fee. These will be communicated to you upfront. 

  • In-Office Ancillary Treatment Services. Your care may require in-office ancillary services such as incision and drainage, skin and soft tissue excisional biopsy, long acting reversible contraceptive placement and removal, joint injection, trigger point injection.  Most ancillary services are included in your membership, but some may have an additional fee. These will be communicated to you upfront. 

  • Specialty Care Coordination. If your care requires the services of medical specialists outside of our office, we will make every effort to source the appropriate referral for you and process the referral expediently. Once the specialist consultation is complete, we will continue to work with your specialists to coordinate care with our office. While hospitalist services are not a part of your membership, if you are admitted to the hospital, we will work diligently with your hospital providers to facilitate the best care available. 

  • After hours direct communication with Physician via Physician’s cell phone through voice calls, text messaging, and email access and patient portal and during Practice hours when Physician is not providing service to other patients. 

  • All services, tests and procedures shall be performed when reasonable and necessary at the Physician’s sole discretion. Additional fees may apply for other goods and services, but every effort is made to keep those fees to a minimum.​

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• EXCLUDED SERVICES. The following non-exhaustive list of services are not covered in the Membership Fee

  • Medical imaging such as X-rays, mammograms, CT scans, full diagnostic ultrasounds, elastography MRI, etc. 

  • Labs and other tests

  • Any surgery or procedure not performed in this office (e.g. in a hospital, or another physician’s office)

  • Immunizations

  • Injectable medications

  • Obstetrical care and delivery

  • Durable medical equipment and supplies (e.g. crutches, wheelchairs, walking boots, casts, etc)

  • Prescription medications: 

  • In office dispensing of prescription medications (for purchase) is not currently available. Prescriptions will be sent to the member’s preferred pharmacy. 

  • Physician does not provide opioids for chronic pain management or benzodiazepines for chronic anxiety

  • Member shall be entitled to some of the above non-covered services at a reduced fee (e.g discounted labs). 

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• INSURANCE OR OTHER MEDICAL COVERAGE. 

  • Member acknowledges and understands  that this Agreement and the membership described herein is NOT health insurance or a substitute for health insurance. Member recognizes that member may require medical services which Ikigai Family Physician and Physician cannot provide (e.g. hospitalization, surgeries, specialist consults, etc). Member acknowledges that Physician recommends (but does not require) that individuals maintain health insurance to mitigate the risks of medical emergencies, injuries and acute and chronic illnesses and diseases.

  • Member acknowledges that  the Program Services provided pursuant to this Agreement are not covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and/or other third-party payor, and  neither the Practice nor Physician participate in any commercial health insurance or HMO plans or panels. 

  • Member understands that Ikigai Family Physician will not bill  insurance for services rendered under this Agreement. Member understands that there is no guarantee that Member will be reimbursed for Ikigai Family Physician’s or our physician’s services by any other entity (e.g. private health insurance, a company’s FSA or HSA, etc)

  • Dr. Riniker does accept assignment for Medicare. The Membership Fee covers the cost of the Program Services, however, Membership Fee does not cover the cost of any health care services covered by Medicare.  The Member retains all rights and protections under the Medicare program. This Agreement does not affect the Member’s ability to receive covered services under Medicare or to seek care from other Medicare providers. The Membership Fee is not eligible for reimbursement by Medicare and is the sole financial responsibility of the Member.  If Member has Medicare, is eligible for Medicare, or during the term of this Agreement becomes eligible for Medicare, the Member will immediately notify the Practice in order to add Medicare coverage to their account. 

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• MEMBERSHIP  FEES

  • PER MEMBER MONTHLY FEE BY AGE (effective January 5, 2026) 

    • 0-20 years $75

    • 0-20 years with family member $50  

    • 21+ years $150

• REGISTRATION FEES

  • There is an initial $75 registration fee for individual and family enrollment. 

  • There is a $200 re-enrollment fee if you cancel your membership and then rejoin. 

• COMMITMENT TO CONTRACTED SERVICES.  The member understands that they are signing up for a recurring monthly service contract with Ikigai Family Physician. ​

• CHANGES IN FEES. The membership fee may be changed by Ikigai Family Physician with 90 days prior notice. As always, the Member may cancel at any time if the fee is unacceptable or they are dissatisfied for any reason. Membership fees up until the date of cancellation are nonrefundable.

•  TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP - Ikigai Family Physician requires a 30 day written (may be electronic) notice to terminate membership. This notice should be sent to ikigaifamilydoc@gmail.com. 

•  DEFAULT. Membership is dependent on timely payment of membership fees, and fees 60 days past-due will be cause for termination of membership and services.

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•  RESPONDING TO MEMBER. Phone calls to Ikigai Family Physician will be answered by Dr. Riniker whenever possible. As she is also providing patient care, she may not be able to immediately answer your call, but she will return your call within 24 hours as long as you leave a message, except in case of emergencies or unavoidable circumstances. If it is urgent, send a text message, or call again. Emails from Member will typically receive a response within 48 hours, though often much sooner. If Member does not receive a response to email within 48 hours, the member should make a phone call or use another means of communication.

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• ALTERNATE PROVIDER. Member understands that the physician may be unavailable at times due to patient care, personal illness, injury, emergencies, or other obligations. Ikigai Family Physician will make reasonable attempts to provide alternative coverage in the event of the provider’s absence. Should the physician anticipate that they will be unavailable for more than 3 consecutive business days, Ikigai Family Physician will send out an email to inform patients of this planned absence.  Ikigai Family Physician may use other medical providers, nurses, medical assistants and other staff to assist in providing care. All such personnel will be bound by this Membership Agreement.

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• OFFICE APPOINTMENTS. The Ikigai Family Physician office is located at 200 Valle Alto Dr NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. The office will be open primarily Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-3:30pm. Visits are by appointment only. Online scheduling is available. If there are no open appointments online, a brief phone call or text can secure a timely appointment. 

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• COMMUNICATIONS, PRIVACY, HIPAA. At Ikigai Family Physician we respect and value your privacy. Ikigai Family Physician makes every reasonable effort to keep your information secure, within the bounds of applicable laws. Communication by phone, email, text messaging and via other methods offer great convenience and portability. We must acknowledge, however, that such communications are not reliably secure. Even with precautions, these communications have some risk of loss of privacy. Member acknowledges that they have read and understand Ikigai Family Physician’s Notice of Privacy Practices, and that Member may access it at any time on the website or a written copy upon request. Member has had time to consider which method(s) of communication Member prefers and Member can notify Physician through that preferred means of communication. Ikigai Family Physician uses ambient note-taking technology to enhance clinical documentation and improve the quality of care. This technology securely captures and transcribes portions of the clinical conversation to assist the provider in creating accurate medical records.Participation is voluntary and you may decline at any time and this will not affect your care or access to services. By signing this agreement you consent to use during clinical visits and understand your rights and how your information is protected. Member understands that emails and other electronic forms of communication are not appropriate for emergencies, or other time-sensitive matters, or for communication of highly personal or sensitive information. In the event of an emergency or situation that Member could reasonably expect to develop into an emergency, Member agrees to call 911 or promptly seek care in an emergency room.

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• HOLD HARMLESS. Member agrees not to hold Ikigai Family Physician or our physician liable for any loss, injury, damages or expenses beyond Ikigai Family Physician’s or Physician’s control related to technical failure of the Ikigai Family Physician website, email, or other electronic services, including but not limited to: power outages, faulty cellular, cable, or WiFi service, failure due to internet service provider caused by power outages, failure to properly address email messages, interception of communications by a 3rd party, or Member’s failure to follow Ikigai Family Physician’s recommendations regarding electronic communications in this agreement.

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• ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Member understands and acknowledges that this Agreement represents the entire agreement between both parties. No other oral or written agreements or promises exist between the parties. 

 

Signed: ______________________________  Signed:_________________________________

Printed: ______________________________  Printed: Kristy Riniker, MD

Date: ________________________________  Ikigai Family Physician, LLC