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.