Meet Dr. Barrett
I am W. Mark Barrett, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician with 24 years of primary care pediatric experience. The most important thing to know about me is that I deeply care about my patients and their families. I value them above all other aspects of what it means to be a doctor. I took a vow to "first do no harm," and I refuse to break it. My practice is my vocation to serve God. Over the last 4 years I have seen our healthcare system devolve into something unrecognizable. I believe that parents deserve to be heard and not rushed, and physicians should be able to practice freely. Standing in the wreckage of the pandemic, I started this practice because I love the families I work for, and I long to restore the sacred relationship between a doctor and the people I serve. I studied at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, TN where I received my Doctor of Medicine degree in 1996. My pediatric residency was completed at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston from 1996-1999. The next three years I served as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Since 2002, I have practiced outpatient and newborn pediatric primary care in the private sector.
FAQ
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Can I Cancel My Membership?After the 6 month initial commitment, your membership can be canceled at any time, provided a 30-day notice is given. If less than 30 days' notice is given, you will be charged your next monthly payment as scheduled, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you decide to leave Hickory Pediatric Wellness for any reason, there is absolutely no fee or penalty. If you have prepaid your membership fee for the year, you will be reimbursed for the unused months.
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What if my child is hospitalized?If your child needs to be hospitalized, we will coordinate that through your local hospital and their pediatric hospitalist or accepting physician.
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What does my membership include?Convenient same-day and next-day appointment scheduling Unlimited office visits, including well-newborn and well-child care, urgent care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, and chronic disease management Unrestricted telemedicine consultations via voice, video conferencing, and SMS text home visits, depending on location($15 charge if within 30 miles) In-office lab testing (urinalysis, strep, flu, RSV) School, camp, and sports physicals Discounted cash pricing for medical imaging studies Low or no cost prices for common medications Low cost cash prices at Labcorp Specialist/hospital care coordination
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What is Direct Primary Care?Direct Primary Care (DPC) is the solution to our current flawed healthcare system. DPC is an innovative payment model that provides high-quality primary care with an affordable monthly membership fee, and no third-party insurance billing. The best feature of DPC is an enduring and trusting relationship between a patient and a physician. Patients have unique access to their physician for a simple monthly fee, including house calls, email, text message, virtual visits, and office visits.
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Do you accept my insurance?Perhaps the most critical distinction of our Pediatric practice is that it focuses on a direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. That directness carries over to our business model as well. We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions that inevitably come with third-party payers. Furthermore, this direct membership arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.
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How is my membership paid?Membership fees are charged to your bank account, credit, or debit card. You can pay as a recurring monthly payment or annually with a 5% discount offered. Monthly payments are charged when you sign up, then drafted monthly on the same day each month. You may also use your HSA to pay for a membership, but we recommend you consult with your CPA to confirm this.
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Do you offer vaccines?We respect parents’ rights to make medical decisions for their children, and we will work with families who do not desire to vaccinate, or who desire to follow an alternative vaccine schedule. We recommend that none of our patients get the Covid shot. We are always happy to talk further about these very important health decisions. We currently do not stock vaccines, but we will work with your insurance company and your local health department to provide them, if desired, once full informed consent has been given.
Our Approach
Meeting Hickory Pediatric Wellness is knowing that you’re in good hands. Using skill, knowledge, and a natural approach, we offer some of the most comprehensive and clear-cut health treatments in the Lincoln County, North Carolina area. Whether you are a new or returning patient, Hickory Pediatric Wellness will help you handle any challenges that may arise
Our Services
"We are so excited to have found Dr. Barrett! Finally - an experienced pediatrician who is passionate about his patients and takes time to listen and get to know families. This is the way healthcare should be!"
What our patients are saying...
"I was so impressed with the time that Dr. Mark Barrett took to examine my grandchild and to talk with my daughter and me about our concerns. Also, his availability to my daughter outside the office is priceless. This truly is how healthcare should be."
"I am so excited that I found a pediatrician who is dedicated to quality care. Dr. Barrett took the time to listen to my concerns and gave easy to understand feedback concerning my child. My experience with Dr. Barrett was so different than the rushed care I received at the other facilities."
Providing compassionate and
high-quality child healthcare
Here at Hickory Pediatric Wellness, our mission is to provide compassionate and high-quality medical care to children of all ages. We strive to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for our young patients and their families, where every child is valued and cared for as a unique and precious gift from God. We believe that every child deserves to receive holistic care that addresses not only their physical health but also their emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. We are committed to serving our community with integrity, respect, and humility, and promoting the dignity and sanctity of human life in all aspects of our practice. We continue to learn new integrative and natural strategies to treat children with special needs such as autism, as well as children disabled by chronic disease. In addition to the natural approaches we currently offer, we soon hope to offer novel therapies to reduce childhood obesity, and promote healthy weight loss.
We understand the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare for every child
We are committed to providing our services at affordable fees without compromising the quality of care. We believe every child deserves the best medical attention and support, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our transparent fee structure ensures that you have a clear understanding of the costs involved, allowing you to make informed decisions about your child's healthcare.
