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 open only to member businesses, and many members save 10 to 15% over what they pay today on health benefits. Plans include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus an employee assistance program. Members pick from more than 50 plans and build coverage around what their crews need. A service team answers questions from the company and from employees.
The two-employee minimum is what makes the program especially valuable for smaller landscape companies. On their own, small employers are priced like the small group they are, 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.
This partnership matters because it directly addresses a major challenge for small businesses in the landscape industry: the cost and complexity of providing health benefits. By pooling members into a larger group plan, WALP is giving small companies the same buying power that large employers enjoy, which could help them compete for workers in a tight labor market. The 10 to 15 percent savings could free up resources for other business needs, while the ability to offer health insurance may improve employee retention and satisfaction. The program also strengthens WALP membership by adding a tangible benefit that appeals to companies of all sizes. As health care costs continue to rise, this type of collective purchasing arrangement could serve as a model for other trade associations looking to support their members.
