Healthcare disruption

Patient healthcare disruption means there are major interruptions to safe care. These interruptions are usually negative. Some reasons for these disruptions are:

Workforce and operational shortages.
Not following healthcare safety guidelines and laws.
Cyberattacks and data security breaches.
Technology failures.
Geographical challenges.
Medicaid and funding cuts.
Mergers and consolidations of healthcare organizations.

If your healthcare is disrupted, it can affect your body, emotions, and mental health. Many people in Utah care for others but remember to look after yourself too. The resources below can help you during this difficult time.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides many health and social services to help everyone in Utah stay safe and healthy. If healthcare is disrupted, DHHS has resources to lessen the impact and help Utahns get the care they need.

Questions and answers

Call your medical provider’s office to check if your appointment is still on. If it has been canceled and you need care right away, visit an urgent care clinic in your insurance network. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

If your provider’s office is closed, reach out to your health insurance company to help you find another provider in your network.

If possible, send your past medical records to your new provider. This helps them understand your health history and needs.

Where can I go if my doctor’s office cannot provide care for me?

It is critical that you establish care with a new healthcare provider to limit the disruption in your treatment and prescriptions. You can find a new healthcare provider by:

Contacting your health insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
Utilize local hospital or clinic patient navigation services.
For help finding a medical provider or health insurance contact Take Cate Utah, https://takecareutah.org/.

To ensure your new provider has your medical history, you should obtain a copy of your medical records. This will help make the transition smoother.

Reach out to your pharmacy. They may be able to give you an emergency, short-term refill for essential medications that are not controlled substances.

To refill controlled medications such as opioids, pain medicines, stimulants, depressants, or anabolic steroids, you need approval from a medical provider because of strict laws. If your provider cannot help, you will need to find an in-network provider to write a prescription.

If possible, send your past medical records to your new provider. This helps them understand your health history and needs.

Take only medicines that are prescribed for you and filled at a licensed pharmacy. Using drugs not meant for you can be dangerous and may cause serious side effects, allergic reactions, addiction, or even death. For your safety, always get your medications from a licensed pharmacy. Drugs from unregulated sources can be contaminated with fentanyl and greatly increase the risk of overdose.

Keep a naloxone rescue kit nearby in case of an opioid overdose. Naloxone can reverse or stop an overdose. You do not need a prescription to get naloxone. Call your pharmacy or visit https://opidemic.utah.gov/ or https://www.utahnaloxone.org/ to learn more.

When you see a new medical provider, they might do a checkup, review your current treatment and health, and work with you to make a new treatment plan.

If possible, send your past medical records to your new provider. This helps them understand your health history and needs.

Healthcare works best as a team effort. As a patient, you can ask questions to help your provider diagnose problems, encourage healthy habits, and make sure you understand your treatments. Asking questions also shows your provider that you care about your health and are open to making changes.

How does your provider prefer to communicate with you? For example, do they use a patient portal, phone calls, or email?
What is your provider’s approach to treatment? For example, do they focus on prevention or have a specific way they care for patients?
Do they recommend any important screenings or vaccines? What do they suggest for managing your chronic condition?
What lifestyle changes do they recommend to help you improve your health?

988 Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline knows that life can be hard. If you are dealing with mental health issues, emotional stress, concerns about alcohol or drug use, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you 24/7. Your calls are free and confidential. You are not alone.

Learn More

Behavioral Health Services Navigation

Make just one call to find help to access behavioral health resources. It is open and free for anyone who needs mental health support. Call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week. Sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare.

Learn More

Caring Connections

The University of Utah College of Nursing offers a variety of grief support groups. Each support group is designed to help you cope with a different kind of loss and grief, including suicide. There are 5 grief groups to choose from. The courses are facilitated by expert clinicians.

Learn More

Live On!

A statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, resources, and working to change how we talk about suicide and mental health. Together we can support each other and Live On.

Learn More

myStrength

You can get help for stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and more. This free tool is safe, secure, and personalized for you. Track your health, try activities, and find inspiration. Real progress. Real results.

Learn More

SafeUT

You can chat with a licensed counselor for support or submit a confidential tip from your smartphone. Download SafeUT for students, SafeUT Frist responses, or SafeUT National Guard.

Learn More

Stabilization & Mobile Response

For families with youth ages 0–20 years experiencing challenges. Over the phone support and problem solving, mobile response services, and in-home stabilization services to help your family stabilize and self-manage future challenges.

Learn More

Utah Crisis Line

The Utah Crisis Line provides compassionate support. We give referrals to anyone in need of metal health or emotional wellbeing services. No matter your age, you can call for help. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week free confidential crisis help and support. Sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare.

Learn More

Warm Line

Individuals may need a listening ear as they heal and recover from their own personal struggles. Having support from someone who has faced similar struggles can help you heal. The Warm Line is staffed 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year at no cost.

Learn More

Mental health resources

Stressful situations trigger emotional responses. Strong mental health is essential because it directs how individuals think, feel, behave, and cope with life choices. Serving as the foundation of overall well-being, physical health, and daily function.

Learn More

Mental health authority

A local mental health authority is a designated entity—often a county department or regional agency—responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing public mental health services within a specific geographic area. They act as the primary point of entry for community-based, state-funded care, providing services such as crisis intervention, case management, and treatment for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Learn More

Substance use resources

Prescription misuse—taking medication in ways other than prescribed, such as higher doses or for someone else—can lead to addiction, dependence, and serious health consequences. Prescription misuse affects millions, with over 55% of users struggling with addiction. Addiction and dependence are diseases that need medical attention.

Learn More