WALP Health Benefit Gives Landscape Companies More Buying Power

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. According to the announcement, many members save 10 to 15% over what they currently pay for health benefits. The plans include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as an employee assistance program. Members can choose from more than 50 plans and customize coverage to fit their workforce needs. A dedicated service team is available to answer questions from both employers and employees.

The significance of this partnership lies in its potential to transform how landscape companies, particularly small businesses, approach employee health benefits. The two-employee minimum is a critical feature that makes the program especially 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. This can lead to substantial cost savings and improved benefit offerings, helping these companies compete for talent in a tight labor market.

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. 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," said Haizlip.

For landscape companies, health insurance represents both a significant expense and an important tool for attracting and retaining employees. The Health Trust provides WALP members with access to group health coverage and competitive pricing that may otherwise be difficult to obtain on their own. This is particularly important for smaller companies that might not have the resources to negotiate favorable rates individually. By pooling together, WALP members can achieve economies of scale typically reserved for larger employers.

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. The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals represents landscape contractors, designers, suppliers, and allied businesses across Washington state. WALP runs education, certification, networking, and member benefit programs for the state's landscape industry. Anything Insurance, a Benefit Solutions NW company, provides employee benefits and insurance services to Washington businesses. The Building Industry Association of Washington represents member businesses across Washington state and administers the BIAW Health Trust, a group health plan for member companies.