Recently, UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, has been investigated for denying patients’ claims. While a doctor or hospital may determine that a patient needs medical treatment, an insurer responsible for paying for that treatment can still decide that the care does not meet its criteria for coverage and refuse to pay the bill.

His wife, whom he had recently separated from, said Thompson had received threats in the past.

‘There had been some threats. Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?’ she said.

‘I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.

‘I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children.’

Patients have died because of denial of service. If that turns out to be the case here, it’s a tragedy that has killed more than just the C.E.O.