August 6, 2026 Newsletter

Ashley Janway
Aug 6
4 min read

August, 2026 Newsletter

August 6, 2026

Serving Shawnee and the surrounding communities with compassionate Medical & Mental Health Care

Welcome to our monthly newsletter! Our goal is to keep you informed about your health, your insurance benefits, and the services available to you. Healthcare changes frequently, and we're here to help make it easier to understand.

OUR OFFICE IS OPENING SOON

While we are seeing patients virtually, in their home or on location, our actual office in Shawnee is still pending our grand opening. Unfortunately, we had an issue within the building and had to delay our opening. Our office should be open within the next week. Feel free to schedule an appointment today. If you are needing an appointment in your home, virtually or at a facility such as a shelter, nursing home or sober living, give us a call and schedule today!

Call us at

(405) 296-8538 or email us at intake@1stchoicemedical.org

STAYING INFORMED ABOUT YOUR HEALTHCARE

At 1st Choice Mental Health & Medical, we believe patients should understand their healthcare benefits so they can make informed decisions. Below are some important insurance and Medicare updates that may affect your care.

Medicare continues to emphasize improving access to mental health care.

Patients may have increased access to:

Psychiatric evaluations
Depression Screenings
Medication management
Individual therapy
Depression and anxiety treatment
Substance use disorder treatment
Care coordination
Annual Wellness Visits
Home Visits
Preventive screenings

If you're unsure what your Medicare plan covers, our staff can help verify your benefits.

What this means for you: If you've been putting off treatment because of concerns about Medicare coverage, many behavioral health services continue to be covered when medically necessary.

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Mental Health is Healthcare

Mental health conditions are among the most common medical conditions affecting adults.

If you are experiencing:

Anxiety
Depression
Difficulty sleeping
Mood changes
Stress
Grief
Trouble concentrating

Please don't wait to seek help. Early treatment often leads to better outcomes.

Schedule online

https://1stchoicementalhealth.clientsecure.me/

Telehealth Services Remain Available for Many Patients

Many insurance plans continue to cover telehealth appointments.

Telehealth may be appropriate for:

Medication follow-up visits
Anxiety or depression management
Counseling appointments
Routine mental health check-ins

Please note that telehealth coverage varies by insurance company and plan. Our office can help verify your benefits before your appointment.

🩸 PGx Testing

This is a simple genetic test that can help us understand how your body may process certain medications.

Everyone’s body is different. Two people can take the same medication at the same dose, and one person may have great results while the other person may have side effects or not get enough benefit. One reason for this is that our genes can affect how quickly or slowly our bodies break down certain medications.

The PGx test looks at specific genes that may influence how your body responds to certain medications, including some medications used for mental health. The results can help guide your provider when choosing medications, deciding on doses, or understanding why a medication may not have worked well for you in the past.

This test does not tell exactly which medication will work best, and it does not replace your provider’s medical judgment. Instead, it gives the provider another piece of information that they can use along with your symptoms, medical history, previous medication experiences, and treatment goals.

The test is usually done with a simple sample, such as a cheek swab. Your results are reviewed by your healthcare provider, and they will discuss what the findings mean and how they may apply to your care.

Our goal is to make treatment more personalized, reduce unnecessary trial and error when possible, and help find medications that are the best fit for you.

Patient Question: “Does this mean I won’t have to try different medications?”

PGx testing can sometimes help us make more informed choices, but it does not guarantee a specific medication will work. Finding the right treatment is still a partnership between you and your healthcare provider.

Patient Question: “Is this required?”

No. PGx testing is optional. We work with a lab to offer it as a tool that may provide additional information to help guide treatment decisions.

💊 Medication Corner

To avoid delays:

Request refills 3–5 business days before you run out.
Keep scheduled follow-up appointments.
Notify us if your pharmacy changes.
Bring an updated medication list to each visit.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

1st Choice Medical is expanding! We are currently seeking dedicated Wound Care Providers and Primary Care Providers to join our growing team. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and want to advance your career in a professional environment, we want to hear from you. Click below to apply or contact us today for more information.

120 N Bell Ave, Shawnee, OK 74801 Phone (405) 296-8538

Fax Medical (949) 991-4029

Fax Mental Health (405) 296-8539

www.1stchoicemedical.org

Mental Health

https://1stchoicementalhealth.clientsecure.me/

Our goal is simple:

To provide high-quality, compassionate care while helping patients understand and maximize their insurance benefits.

If you have questions about your insurance coverage, Medicare benefits, or scheduling an appointment, our staff is happy to help. Give us a call today!