Death by managed care--denial of hospitalization for headache.
A 47-year-old man with a severe headache disorder, taking meperidine injections 8 to 12 times a day and approximately 6 butalbital-containing tablets per day, was denied hospitalization for the management of headache and died while awaiting evaluation for detoxification by a psychiatric facility. The criteria for hospitalization and the implications of the denial of care by insurance companies are explored. The biases against the publication of such cases are reviewed.
Young
W B
WB
Jefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA19107, USA.
D006261:Headache / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States