WALP Partnership Opens Group Health Plan to Landscape Companies with Two Employees

Small landscape companies in Washington now have access to a group health plan that was previously out of reach. 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 announcement was made by WALP State President Dave Haizlip at the Northwest Nurseries Summer BBQ on August 12.

The BIAW 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 pay today on health benefits. Plans include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus an employee assistance program. Members can choose from more than 50 plans and build coverage around what their crews need. A service team is available to answer questions from both the company and 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.

“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,” said Haizlip. “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.

This news matters because it addresses a persistent challenge for small businesses: the cost and complexity of providing health benefits. By pooling together, landscape companies can offer competitive benefits that help them compete for workers in a tight labor market. The partnership also strengthens WALP’s value proposition for current and prospective members, potentially leading to growth in membership and a more unified industry voice.

Landscape companies interested in the program can learn more about WALP membership at walp.org.