I will note this is not the most satisfying resolution as, in effect, the problem was banished by fiat rather than solved systemically. In other words, the next patient to have this issue will have to go through the same endless runaround I did. If they don't have the personal and professional resources (and social media footprint) that I do, they will probably be out of luck.
So I suppose I won the skirmish on points, but the larger battle will go on.