Going to discounted F rarely adds flexibility. Starting from some other EU countries may do this. Insurance may be a better route but not if you know of a pre-existing condition.

As for the specifics of this, without dates it's very difficult to say, but I suspect it may be due to the withdrawal of Sale fares - which may come back again or may not. Due to the 72 hour hold provisions it's worth taking advantage of this if you're in that conundrum, not least because you get a full refund if you change your mind in the first 24 hours (or even a bit longer if you accept and then cancel).

And yes, it's almost entirely computerised.