# Why your patient isn't filling that prescription (and won't tell you)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-podcast-by-kevinmd-449609/why-your-patient-isn-t-filling-that-prescription-and-won-t-tell-you
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-podcast-by-kevinmd-449609/why-your-patient-isn-t-filling-that-prescription-and-won-t-tell-you.md
Podcast: [The Podcast by KevinMD](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-podcast-by-kevinmd-449609)
Published: 2026-04-15T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://kevinmd.libsyn.com/why-medical-debt-is-a-leading-cause-of-mortality-in-america
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kevinmd/Why-medical-debt-is-a-leading-cause-of-mortality-in-America.mp3?dest-id=2093345
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-podcast-by-kevinmd-449609/episodes/why-your-patient-isn-t-filling-that-prescription-and-won-t-tell-you
Duration seconds: 1137

## Resource

What happens when a patient can't afford the treatment you prescribe but is too embarrassed to say so? Health care executive Adam Cunningham joins the show to unpack the devastating ripple effects of medical debt, drawing on his KevinMD article, " The hidden toll of medical debt on patient health and survival ," and sharing how one friend lost her job, her insurance, and nearly her ability to function before finding affordable biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis overseas. You'll hear why 16 percent of U.S. suicides have a contributing factor of medical debt, how patients weigh financial ruin against ending their lives, and what makes China's tier one hospitals a surprisingly viable option for Americans priced out of care at home. Cunningham explains the accreditation systems that ensure quality abroad, the role patient advocates play in navigating costs, and the one question every physician should ask before assuming a patient will follow through on a treatment plan. If you've ever wondered whether medical tourism is legitimate or just risky, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective you need to hear. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform . With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

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## Transcript

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