“Greed medicine” describes what happens when healthcare becomes more about financial gain than patient care. Traditionally, this was something people associated with the conventional system—insurance-driven decisions, rushed appointments, and a focus on prescriptions rather than prevention. But now, as holistic and functional medicine grow in popularity, greed medicine has unfortunately made its way into that world as well.
The Rise of Greed Medicine
People seek out holistic and functional care because they want deeper answers, personalized support, and someone who will connect the dots. They expect a practitioner who listens, explains, teaches, and helps them understand the root cause of what’s going on. Instead, many are finding themselves pushed into high-priced supplement plans, expensive bundled testing, and protocols that have more to do with sales than science.
One of the biggest shifts has happened in the supplement world. Instead of thoughtful, targeted, minimal supplementation, some practitioners recommend long lists of products costing hundreds of dollars a month. Many people end up with 10–20 supplements at once, being told that each one is “essential,” even if the basics of sleep, blood sugar balance, digestion, and stress haven’t been addressed. It becomes symptom chasing—just with natural pills instead of pharmaceuticals.
Another major issue is the rise of testing packages. Some offices sell “bundle deals” that combine blood work, stool testing, hormone testing, food sensitivity panels, toxin screens, and more into one large package with a single high price point. While testing can be incredibly useful, bundling every test together at the beginning often means the patient pays for things they may not actually need. At Apothecary & Co, we believe in starting with a strong foundation and ordering additional testing only if it becomes necessary based on your history and progress. Healthcare shouldn’t start with the kitchen sink; it should start with logic and intention.
Watch Out for Red Flags
People deserve to know what they’re signing up for before committing. Lack of transparency is one of the biggest red flags in greed medicine. This includes not being clear about pricing, not explaining the length of appointments, or not outlining what is and isn’t included in a package. Patients should never be surprised by costs.
Another red flag is when practitioners hand out supplements without thoroughly explaining the “why.” If you don’t understand what a supplement is doing, what system it’s supporting, how long you should take it, or how it fits into your plan, then the practitioner isn’t educating—just prescribing. Real functional care empowers people, not confuses them.
Credentials matter. There are many people online and in private practices charging thousands of dollars for functional medicine services who have little to no medical training. Some have never sat for board exams, have no licensure, and are not required to complete continuing education. Patients should feel completely comfortable asking: What are your credentials? What is your training? How long have you been doing this? What continuing education do you complete? Anyone who becomes defensive about this is a red flag.
To help people protect themselves, here are practical tools and red flags to look for:
- Be cautious when testing is bundled together in one large package. Functional testing should be added based on need, not sold as a one-size-fits-all protocol.
- Pay attention to transparency. You should know the price of appointments, supplements, and tests up front—before you commit.
- Ask about appointment length. Knowing whether you’re getting 20 minutes or 90 minutes matters. Hidden time limits can impact the quality of care.
- Watch for practitioners who immediately hand you a list of supplements without connecting the dots or explaining the purpose of each one.
- Ask for credentials. It is your right. Functional medicine is an unregulated industry in many states, which means people can call themselves practitioners without formal training or accountability.
- Be cautious of anyone who pushes high-ticket programs before even understanding your health history.
- Pay attention to how they react to questions. A good practitioner welcomes curiosity, not silence or pressure.
Functional Medicine: A Powerful Tool for Healing
When functional or holistic medicine is done properly, it is one of the most powerful tools for healing. It should make you feel seen, educated, and empowered. Supplements should be strategic, not excessive. Testing should be intentional, not bundled. Pricing should be clear, not hidden. And credentials should be transparent, not avoided.
At Apothecary & Co, we work hard to push back against greed medicine. We start with foundations. We add only what makes sense. We explain everything thoroughly. And we want people to feel confident—not overwhelmed or taken advantage of. The goal is always thoughtful care, not expensive protocols.
If your healthcare feels complicated, pressured, or financially draining, it’s not you—it’s the system. You deserve better, and you absolutely can find it.
