Industry Problem
They show you one price. Then reveal another after you're committed.
Bait-and-switch pricing in the GLP-1 space is structural — it's baked into how these programs are designed to capture leads, not serve patients.
The bait-and-switch isn't always malicious. Sometimes it's just poor pricing transparency. But the effect is the same: you go through a multi-step intake expecting one outcome and arrive at a very different one. That erodes trust — and trust is the foundation of any healthcare relationship.
The $49 consultation trap
Some platforms charge a low 'consultation fee' upfront, then bill separately for the actual program, medication, and shipping — totaling 5–8x the advertised amount.
Tiered programs without clear disclosure
Starter programs that automatically upgrade to a more expensive tier after 4–8 weeks are common. The upgrade path is often buried in terms of service.
Compound vs. branded ambiguity
Advertising a branded medication price while actually fulfilling compounded versions — or vice versa — creates confusion and unmet expectations.
Discount stacking that doesn't apply
Promotional codes that reduce a fee that would never have been charged at full price anyway are a classic misdirection tactic.