Continuity, Not Just Care: The Quiet Fracture in US Health Systems
A physician recounts a patient’s experience in addiction treatment where a well-planned dental procedure’s pain management unraveled due to insurance hurdles, prior authorizations, and fragmented handoffs across care settings. The piece argues that even sound medical decisions can fail to hold in the real world because the healthcare system’s checks, red tape, and transitions continually reset plans, eroding trust and dignity for patients. It calls for better continuity of care and proactive safeguards to ensure that good plans survive real-world barriers.
