SEATTLE — The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) has partnered with Anything Insurance and the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) to open the BIAW Health Trust to WALP member companies. The Health Trust is a group health plan available exclusively to member businesses, and many members save 10 to 15% over what they currently pay for health benefits, according to the announcement.
The program offers medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus an employee assistance program. Members can choose from more than 50 plans and customize coverage to meet the needs of their crews. A dedicated service team is available to answer questions from both employers and employees.
A key feature of the program is its two-employee minimum, which makes it particularly valuable for smaller landscape companies. On their own, small employers are typically priced as small groups with limited buying power. Through WALP, member companies gain access to a large group health plan and the greater buying power that comes with it.
Dave Haizlip, WALP State President, announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ on August 12. “We’ve worked on bringing this benefit to WALP members for quite some time because access to quality, affordable health insurance can make a real difference for landscape companies and their employees,” Haizlip said. “Whether it’s a small company offering benefits for the first time or a larger company looking to reduce costs, this gives our members access to greater buying power. When we announced the partnership at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ and immediately had a small company member ask who they could contact to learn more, it reinforced exactly why we pursued this.”
For landscape companies, health insurance can be a significant expense and an important tool for attracting and retaining employees. The Health Trust gives WALP members access to group health coverage and competitive pricing that may otherwise be difficult to obtain on their own.
Access to the program is available exclusively to active WALP member companies. Landscape companies interested in the program can learn more about WALP membership at walp.org. Anything Insurance, a Benefit Solutions NW company, provides employee benefits and insurance services to Washington businesses, and more information is available at anythinginsurance.com.
The partnership reflects a growing trend among industry associations to leverage group purchasing power to address rising healthcare costs. By joining the BIAW Health Trust, WALP members can offer competitive benefits packages that help them stand out in a tight labor market. For small landscaping businesses, this could mean the difference between offering health insurance for the first time or continuing to go without. The collaboration also strengthens the ties between WALP and its members, providing a tangible benefit that may encourage more companies to join the association.
