Blog

The team at First Choice Health works passionately each year to provide an improved health outlook for its members, and as we move into 2020, our commitment to promoting healthy behavior and addressing the issues facing today's workforce remains stronger than ever. We are proud to look back on a number of key advancements and accomplishments from 2019, including:The addition of new hires Anis…

Establishing a strong collaborative relationship with a health system partner is critical in today's rapidly changing healthcare landscape and why First Choice Health has partnered with the Eastside Health Network (EHN). Together, FCH and EHN are developing and implementing evidence-based, data-driven healthcare initiatives aimed at improving outcomes, increasing efficiency and reducing costs for …

This year, just like the one before, we're all busier than ever, and yet the holidays wait for no one. The last thing we need is more money worries, more hassles, and more stress. Unfortunately, that's exactly what the holidays can bring. You can decide to take the bull by the horns and make this the year you change your approach to the holidays, for the better.Don't sweat the small stuff. Fo…

It's no secret that there's been a great deal of stigma associated with mental health over the last few decades, with several studies backing it up. The individuals made to feel like pariahs have been more likely to experience housing and employment discrimination, among other issues, when compared with those who haven't been open about their mental health problems. In 1992, the Americans wit…

Our company has come a long way in 35 years. Many people have contributed over the years to our success and sustainability, making it possible for us to do the work that we do today. As we evolve, welcome new faces, expand the services we offer, and in general strive to be more innovative, it's important that our look and feel are also aligned with these developments. Our logo is often the fi…

Deaths by suicide have reached an all-time high. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people and the 10th leading cause of death in this country. People are often surprised by this, even though most of us have been touched at some point in our lives by this deeply sad epidemic.  We know that the shame and stigma of suicidal thoughts are part of the reason why those experie…

A Mandatory Referral (MR) is a formal and documented program, which may help an employee retain his or her job in times of progressive disciplinary action. Although it's often used as a last chance agreement with risk of termination, it's not meant to be punitive. The goal is to help employees improve performance and resolve issues so they can be successful at work. Mandatory Referrals are ty…

Managers at companies with EAPs, such as First Choice Health EAP, have access to valuable tools to help their employees. Whether an employee comes to you for personal or professional advice, or you notice performance or behavior patterns that you'd like to address, there are a few EAP referral options available.Educational referral: Did you know over 60% of employees learn about the EAP benefit fr…

Did you know? We're now offering a free opioid use report to employers in the Puget Sound area. An extension of our COPE (Chronic Opioid Pain and Education) program, the report will help identify high rates of opioid use which can be associated with potential misuse and addiction among employees. The first step to fighting the opioid epidemic is identifying the problem so we're providing repo…

The exploding opioid crisis, well documented across the media, has resulted in 142,000 overdoses in U.S. hospital emergency departments in just 14 months between 2016 and 2017, according to the CDC. When employees in a company's workforce have an opioid problem, it affects job performance, absenteeism, and the other employees around them on a personal level. 75 percent of U.S. employers say t…