The United States might be considered the greatest country in the world for some, but there’s one factor that just can’t be overlooked in the life of a true American. And that’s not just buying everything in bulk or getting that constant flow of free refills. It’s something much more controversial, and it’s the American healthcare system. Its flawed structure has been a shock factor to many. And what about that time when US Senator Bernie Sanders asked people on Twitter to share their most absurd medical bills? There’s been a flood warning.
This time we are covering the sensitive case of a strong woman who survived a gruesome bear attack. Sadly, the most dreadful part of Allena Hansen’s journey in reclaiming her original self was dealing with healthcare insurance providers. On this subreddit, the woman confessed that “when Blue Cross denied service, that brought me to the brink of despair.“ It turns out that the woman’s insurance company covered only 20% of her bills, which means she will be paying $300K of expenses for the rest of her life. It makes us question whether there’s any justice left in the world.
To all the fellow Pandas who feel moved by Hansen’s story, please share your views and experiences in the comments.
More info: Facebook
This Twitter user shared Hansen’s story and it has enraged people
Image credits: TheRachelFisher
The woman had to undergo hours of emergency surgery and days of reconstructive medical procedures
Image credits: ChompChompChompAllenaHansen
Rachel shared the screenshots of Hansen’s answers about the most difficult part of recovery
Image credits: TheRachelFisher
These were the questions Reddit users asked the survivor in ‘Ask Me Anything’ thread
Here’s the rest of the thread where Allena shared details about the incident
Image credits: allenahansen
Here are some more questions and answers from this AMA session
Allena Hansen was walking on her property in the wilderness when a bear attacked her in 2008. Hansen described the ordeal in gruesome detail: “I found myself down on the ground. I heard, ‘Chomp, chomp, chomp.’ I felt it go through my skull. I felt it bite through this eye.” As if it was a miracle, her two dogs, Decoy and Arky, came to the rescue. As soon as their barking distracted the bear, the woman found some strength to escape.
Dr. Kimberly Lee from the UCLA Medical Center was part of a surgical team that put Hansen back together in a 10-hour emergency surgery. “She had an indentation of the bone where the bear’s claw tore through her face,” reported Dr. Kimberly Lee. As horrible as it sounds, it was just the beginning of the woman’s dreadful misery.
The woman turned to writing and told her story in a memoir
Image credits: ChompChompChompAllenaHansen
It could have been a fresh new start for the brave woman, but her health insurance provider didn’t cover dental, optical, or cosmetic—the major injuries she suffered. One subreddit user asked Hansen if she ever felt like giving up at some point and the answer was heartbreaking. “No, I didn’t ever feel like giving up during the ursadent itself. But there were many times during my recovery when Blue Cross denied service. I was saved from my existential angst by the kindness of strangers.”
Luckily, the woman kept her sense of humor during the harsh times and published a memoir called Chomp Chomp Chomp. Considering everything she had (and still has) to go through, one can’t help but remember: that which doesn’t kill us really does make us stronger.
Image credits: ChompChompChompAllenaHansen
Here’s what people had to say
The United States of America, the land of the free rich and the free-to-suffer rest of the population.
I wonder where the "free rich" threshold is. My income places me in the top 10% and I still dread medical expenses. A major procedure can easily result in a whole paycheck worth of out-of-pocket expenses. I'd happily vote for someone who'd double my taxes to provide universal health care.
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I'm really pleased by her use of the word 'ursadent' in place of 'incident' (ursa = Latin for bear) As for the US health system, it's not news that that sucks. I'm so glad I don't live there.
Thanks for the clarification. It was too specific to be a typo but I seem to have forgotten my school latin.
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She seems awesome, and I genuinely hope for all Americans that their health system can improve. While things seem dark right now, I hope that in the future the growing awareness of the inequality of it compared to other first world nations will help them achieve change.
As long as illness and the ways to cure illness are making some fine folks billions of dollars a day, it'll never change. Health care in America is a disgrace.
Load More Replies...
I once had a conversation with an American who said he was against universal healthcare because it took away his freedom to choose the health coverage he wants.
The insurance lobby and politicians sell people the illusion of choice. As long as you choose the insurance your employer provides you have a "choice".
Load More Replies...
I live in the UK. People here just don't appreciate the NHS because most people have grown up with it and have never had to pay for health care. As a result the government is slowly running it into the ground, selling off the profitable parts and cutting services. Eventually it will die, and then we'll realise how lucky we were. It only works now because of the dedicated staff.
Blue Cross kicked my suicidal son out of the therapy unit he was in despite his doctors saying he would likely kill himself if he were released. We appealed the decision, had 3 docs say he needed more time; some pencil pusher with no medical degree who's sole job is to save the company money said too bad and sent him home prematurely. Forget the fact that we paid a massive premium for this insurance, we weren't asking for a freebie here. We just wanted our son safe and out of harm. Why are Americans ok with this system we live with? And that's if you're an American lucky enough to have insurance in the first place. Makes me so angry.
Good for her for fighting off a black bear and surviving! What happened to the bear? Honestly some of the only people in the world that think America is one of the greatest countries in the world, are Americans...
I went for seven years without being able to get healthcare in the US. It was more terrible than I can say. I became very ill and couldn't afford to get diagnosed, never mind the treatment. I will live with the consequences of that for the rest of my life. The US is the only country in the first world that has a for-profit healthcare system. It's a disgrace.
Flinched and did a double-take when I first read the headline - in the UK The Blue Cross is a charity that does excellent work taking care of sick, injured and homeless animals! Sorry America - I prefer our Blue Cross.
'Murica! we Don't have great healhcare but we can have guns! Yeah! America F**k yeah!... so glad i'm not there just for that s**t
Perhaps that is the thinking of some of the ultra wealthy and callous in power in the USA? Ïf we let the poor have access to guns and ammo really cheap, but make healthcare unaffordable for them, they might do us a favour and take care of the unemployment/homeless issue as a bonus" Dark and cynical take on the situation, I know
Load More Replies...
My husband had a biopsy 5+ years ago that went WAY bad. Had to be transferred to another hospital and spent the night in the ICU. After BCBS "paid" for all the emergency stuff we still had $32k in bills. 3 months of calling the insurance and hospital DAILY and no help at all, even though it was an emergency event which is supposed to be covered by our insurance. Thankfully my husband is a UAW member, 1 call from his committeeman to the health insurance and all the bills were taken care of. When people dog unions I share this story as just part of why they are awesome.
Blue Cross Blue Shield: "Oh I'm sorry we don't cover bear maulings, looks like you can go f*** yourself policy holder." Satan (The Devil): "Wait what... I mean, I'm the king of hell and that's too evil for me."
I seriously hope the american health care system can be changed for the better. I've heard tales of homeless people needing dialyses having to steal or assault someone just to get placed into prison to get their dialysis. Their system is just so broken. I'm not sure where "land of the free" came from. Broken healthcare, massive income inequality, people having to work 3 jobs to support a family on horribly low min wages.
Many years ago Blue Cross was non-profit and was great. Then they changed. They bilked me once. I had lost my job and bought a high-deductible plan from them. They I got a ruptured disc and couldn't even walk for a month. They refused to pay, claiming it was a preexisting condition. I had never had any clue and had never been diagnosed. They did this to a lot of people and got sued in a class action suit. Eight years later, after demanding that claimants produce and amazing amount of years-old documentation, they settled for about 30 cents on the dollar. California law was clear in describing what a pre-existing condition is. They just ignored the law and gouged their customers. When profit is you top priority, health care isn't.
Mauled by a bear. Airlifted to nearest hospital - free. Emergency surgery-free. Hospital stay-free. Medications- free. Physiotherapy - free. Wound care nurses coming to my home to change dressings - also free. Thanks Canada !
I live and work in a public hospital in Brazil. Whenever I see a post from someone reporting a situation in which they need public health services from some “developed” country, I wonder how they would be dazzled if the situation were here in Brazil. If you are bitten by a snake, for example, you will receive care at a health center or hospital and will receive free anti-venom serum, bandages and medications. Yes, all for free. We have a comprehensive and free public system. Unfortunately, it is not perfect because Brazilians themselves tend not to value the service and widespread corruption hinders many processes in this system.
i have to admit that American healthcare system scares me more than clowns and i don't even live there... amazing to hear this lazy has great support system :)
The insurance industry in U.S. is the pro - profit industry; they want to make money, not to break even. They want to insure healthy people and people who stay out of trouble (won't get injured). The voters could easily change that. Now-the-days, only politicians of the same party must be voted in the WH and have the majority in the congress, otherwise nothing will change.
I'm Canadian but lived in the US for a little while in the early 1980s. My friends when I lived there would tell me about their health care experiences. Some of them were hard to believe and it is amazing that any country would treat their citizens this way. You pay taxes to build and maintain infrastructure, the military to protect you, the police to protect you, the fire department to protect you, but if you are injured ....????....
Healthcare will become the apex issue for this country- we pay the most, and our statistics are atrocious. Infant and maternal mortality rates we should be ashamed to publish. When you have a healthy population, you have happier, healthier people, as well as a healthy economy. Everyone wins, when you don't have to worry about paying medical bills or getting sick. How crushing medical bills have destroyed so many lives.
We, here in the U.S.A.should fight with all our might for a decent Universal Health Care system!
I broke my leg in September. I just received a bill for the leg brace: insurance company says it “ wasn’t medically necessary “ 😡😡😡
There is neither money nor any eartly possessions that would justify me moving to the States... GOD BLESS CANADA !
I'd call you crazy if you even think of moving to USA from Canada. Just saying who in their right mind even conceive such a thought unless you are a rich celebrity.
Load More Replies...
Americans - take a good look at Canada's healthcare system. All hospital services are free - meds are free from 0-24 years of age and for those over 65 - we have a few problems but not many. Those between 25-65 usually have employer insurance to cover their meds. I say free but our taxes pay for it - only about 600 a year. I know people in the States who have really good insurance but they pay a 5000 deductible - go figure
We could fix the entire industry so simply: Stop giving politicians/law makers gold star level health insurance and make them fend for themselves like so many of us. With our current system of legalized bribery, aka lobbying, plus giving them free health care and they have zero incentive to change the system. Take away their health insurance and watch how fast the entire system gets overhauled.
America is worse than a third world Country, good that many of its citizens are so blinded with patriotism, they do not see the World just shaking their head.
I don't know how you came to end up with the healthcare system you have now, but it's utter s**t. I'm glad I'm not American. With my health problems I would be homeless...
This is why Blue Cross Blue Shield sucks. They always have. Cigna is much better. They would have paid 80% if not all of it.
But Americans can't choose BCBS vs. Cigna. You're entirely beholden to which provider your employer selects, and then you have about 3 options, based on your job title and/or salary.
Load More Replies... I live in America and still always wonder why we have to pay to give birth, when we are just creating new to tax payers + potential Army recruits?
Unfortunately insurance companies are a necessary evil...last year I almost bled to death. I got to the emergency room, passed out, woke up and they're running 3 IVs, ended up in surgery an Blue Cross wouldn't authorize the blood transfusion since I was at a 7 and you need to be below a 7 for them to approve it. Because of this it took me 3 months to fully recover since I was severely anemic and couldn't walk faster than a sloth or I would pass out. Then get a bill for $125,000 which luckily a non-profit through the hospital helped me pay.
It's not a necessary evil. They don't have it in the UK. Their health care system is taxpayer-funded, and hires doctors & staff directly. It's not an insurance. (OK, they can buy private insurance to cover additional things like elective procedures, but it's not a necessity.)
Load More Replies...
I don't believe you. I too work for the federal government. Our health insurance wasn't affected by Obamacare in any way.
Load More Replies... The United States of America, the land of the free rich and the free-to-suffer rest of the population.
I wonder where the "free rich" threshold is. My income places me in the top 10% and I still dread medical expenses. A major procedure can easily result in a whole paycheck worth of out-of-pocket expenses. I'd happily vote for someone who'd double my taxes to provide universal health care.
Load More Replies... I'm really pleased by her use of the word 'ursadent' in place of 'incident' (ursa = Latin for bear) As for the US health system, it's not news that that sucks. I'm so glad I don't live there.
Thanks for the clarification. It was too specific to be a typo but I seem to have forgotten my school latin.
Load More Replies... She seems awesome, and I genuinely hope for all Americans that their health system can improve. While things seem dark right now, I hope that in the future the growing awareness of the inequality of it compared to other first world nations will help them achieve change.
As long as illness and the ways to cure illness are making some fine folks billions of dollars a day, it'll never change. Health care in America is a disgrace.
Load More Replies... I once had a conversation with an American who said he was against universal healthcare because it took away his freedom to choose the health coverage he wants.
The insurance lobby and politicians sell people the illusion of choice. As long as you choose the insurance your employer provides you have a "choice".
Load More Replies... I live in the UK. People here just don't appreciate the NHS because most people have grown up with it and have never had to pay for health care. As a result the government is slowly running it into the ground, selling off the profitable parts and cutting services. Eventually it will die, and then we'll realise how lucky we were. It only works now because of the dedicated staff.
Blue Cross kicked my suicidal son out of the therapy unit he was in despite his doctors saying he would likely kill himself if he were released. We appealed the decision, had 3 docs say he needed more time; some pencil pusher with no medical degree who's sole job is to save the company money said too bad and sent him home prematurely. Forget the fact that we paid a massive premium for this insurance, we weren't asking for a freebie here. We just wanted our son safe and out of harm. Why are Americans ok with this system we live with? And that's if you're an American lucky enough to have insurance in the first place. Makes me so angry.
Good for her for fighting off a black bear and surviving! What happened to the bear? Honestly some of the only people in the world that think America is one of the greatest countries in the world, are Americans...
I went for seven years without being able to get healthcare in the US. It was more terrible than I can say. I became very ill and couldn't afford to get diagnosed, never mind the treatment. I will live with the consequences of that for the rest of my life. The US is the only country in the first world that has a for-profit healthcare system. It's a disgrace.
Flinched and did a double-take when I first read the headline - in the UK The Blue Cross is a charity that does excellent work taking care of sick, injured and homeless animals! Sorry America - I prefer our Blue Cross.
'Murica! we Don't have great healhcare but we can have guns! Yeah! America F**k yeah!... so glad i'm not there just for that s**t
Perhaps that is the thinking of some of the ultra wealthy and callous in power in the USA? Ïf we let the poor have access to guns and ammo really cheap, but make healthcare unaffordable for them, they might do us a favour and take care of the unemployment/homeless issue as a bonus" Dark and cynical take on the situation, I know
Load More Replies... My husband had a biopsy 5+ years ago that went WAY bad. Had to be transferred to another hospital and spent the night in the ICU. After BCBS "paid" for all the emergency stuff we still had $32k in bills. 3 months of calling the insurance and hospital DAILY and no help at all, even though it was an emergency event which is supposed to be covered by our insurance. Thankfully my husband is a UAW member, 1 call from his committeeman to the health insurance and all the bills were taken care of. When people dog unions I share this story as just part of why they are awesome.
Blue Cross Blue Shield: "Oh I'm sorry we don't cover bear maulings, looks like you can go f*** yourself policy holder." Satan (The Devil): "Wait what... I mean, I'm the king of hell and that's too evil for me."
I seriously hope the american health care system can be changed for the better. I've heard tales of homeless people needing dialyses having to steal or assault someone just to get placed into prison to get their dialysis. Their system is just so broken. I'm not sure where "land of the free" came from. Broken healthcare, massive income inequality, people having to work 3 jobs to support a family on horribly low min wages.
Many years ago Blue Cross was non-profit and was great. Then they changed. They bilked me once. I had lost my job and bought a high-deductible plan from them. They I got a ruptured disc and couldn't even walk for a month. They refused to pay, claiming it was a preexisting condition. I had never had any clue and had never been diagnosed. They did this to a lot of people and got sued in a class action suit. Eight years later, after demanding that claimants produce and amazing amount of years-old documentation, they settled for about 30 cents on the dollar. California law was clear in describing what a pre-existing condition is. They just ignored the law and gouged their customers. When profit is you top priority, health care isn't.
Mauled by a bear. Airlifted to nearest hospital - free. Emergency surgery-free. Hospital stay-free. Medications- free. Physiotherapy - free. Wound care nurses coming to my home to change dressings - also free. Thanks Canada !
I live and work in a public hospital in Brazil. Whenever I see a post from someone reporting a situation in which they need public health services from some “developed” country, I wonder how they would be dazzled if the situation were here in Brazil. If you are bitten by a snake, for example, you will receive care at a health center or hospital and will receive free anti-venom serum, bandages and medications. Yes, all for free. We have a comprehensive and free public system. Unfortunately, it is not perfect because Brazilians themselves tend not to value the service and widespread corruption hinders many processes in this system.
i have to admit that American healthcare system scares me more than clowns and i don't even live there... amazing to hear this lazy has great support system :)
The insurance industry in U.S. is the pro - profit industry; they want to make money, not to break even. They want to insure healthy people and people who stay out of trouble (won't get injured). The voters could easily change that. Now-the-days, only politicians of the same party must be voted in the WH and have the majority in the congress, otherwise nothing will change.
I'm Canadian but lived in the US for a little while in the early 1980s. My friends when I lived there would tell me about their health care experiences. Some of them were hard to believe and it is amazing that any country would treat their citizens this way. You pay taxes to build and maintain infrastructure, the military to protect you, the police to protect you, the fire department to protect you, but if you are injured ....????....
Healthcare will become the apex issue for this country- we pay the most, and our statistics are atrocious. Infant and maternal mortality rates we should be ashamed to publish. When you have a healthy population, you have happier, healthier people, as well as a healthy economy. Everyone wins, when you don't have to worry about paying medical bills or getting sick. How crushing medical bills have destroyed so many lives.
We, here in the U.S.A.should fight with all our might for a decent Universal Health Care system!
I broke my leg in September. I just received a bill for the leg brace: insurance company says it “ wasn’t medically necessary “ 😡😡😡
There is neither money nor any eartly possessions that would justify me moving to the States... GOD BLESS CANADA !
I'd call you crazy if you even think of moving to USA from Canada. Just saying who in their right mind even conceive such a thought unless you are a rich celebrity.
Load More Replies... Americans - take a good look at Canada's healthcare system. All hospital services are free - meds are free from 0-24 years of age and for those over 65 - we have a few problems but not many. Those between 25-65 usually have employer insurance to cover their meds. I say free but our taxes pay for it - only about 600 a year. I know people in the States who have really good insurance but they pay a 5000 deductible - go figure
We could fix the entire industry so simply: Stop giving politicians/law makers gold star level health insurance and make them fend for themselves like so many of us. With our current system of legalized bribery, aka lobbying, plus giving them free health care and they have zero incentive to change the system. Take away their health insurance and watch how fast the entire system gets overhauled.
America is worse than a third world Country, good that many of its citizens are so blinded with patriotism, they do not see the World just shaking their head.
I don't know how you came to end up with the healthcare system you have now, but it's utter s**t. I'm glad I'm not American. With my health problems I would be homeless...
This is why Blue Cross Blue Shield sucks. They always have. Cigna is much better. They would have paid 80% if not all of it.
But Americans can't choose BCBS vs. Cigna. You're entirely beholden to which provider your employer selects, and then you have about 3 options, based on your job title and/or salary.
Load More Replies... I live in America and still always wonder why we have to pay to give birth, when we are just creating new to tax payers + potential Army recruits?
Unfortunately insurance companies are a necessary evil...last year I almost bled to death. I got to the emergency room, passed out, woke up and they're running 3 IVs, ended up in surgery an Blue Cross wouldn't authorize the blood transfusion since I was at a 7 and you need to be below a 7 for them to approve it. Because of this it took me 3 months to fully recover since I was severely anemic and couldn't walk faster than a sloth or I would pass out. Then get a bill for $125,000 which luckily a non-profit through the hospital helped me pay.
It's not a necessary evil. They don't have it in the UK. Their health care system is taxpayer-funded, and hires doctors & staff directly. It's not an insurance. (OK, they can buy private insurance to cover additional things like elective procedures, but it's not a necessity.)
Load More Replies... I don't believe you. I too work for the federal government. Our health insurance wasn't affected by Obamacare in any way.
Load More Replies... 
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