What they told me:

Pax must have dr's note (on official letterhead) stating that pax is unable to fly for medical reasons on that particular flight.
Once they receive it - and like the wording of it - they will refund all but $50 of the change fee. This $50 is a "processing fee."

I haven't gotten my dr's letter yet, so I can't report whether this works.


(Of course, my situation wasn't for all near-future travel, as the OP faces.)