Washington’s source for employee benefits

Our mission is to be a resource for employers – helping Washington’s business community thrive by providing the high quality, affordable employee benefits growing companies need to be competitive.

Our Story

Our mission: Be a resource for employers.

Business Health Trust was founded in Seattle in 2007 so that small businesses and non-profits could offer their employees the health benefits they need to stay competitive and provide health insurance for groups that might not otherwise be able to afford coverage.

Since our founding, we’ve merged with other health trusts, expanded our reach across the state, improved our offerings, and added additional benefits.

Today, more than 25,000 small business employees and more than 1,000 employers across the state get their health insurance benefits through Business Health Trust.

More than just a benefits solution, we advocate for small business insurance needs in Washington. We are vigilant about staying on top of changes in the small business health insurance market and advocating for changes that benefit small businesses — nationally, and at the state and local level.

What is Business Health Trust

What is Business Health Trust 2024 on Vimeo.

What is an Association Health Plan?

Business Health Trust is what the insurance industry calls an Association Health Plan or AHP. These allow small businesses to join together as a group to purchase insurance so their employees can have access to the same pricing and coverage enjoyed by large employers.

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Our Partner Associations

Our partnership with regional Chambers and business associations in Washington allows us to offer insurance plans to virtually every type of business throughout the state of Washington.

You can join any Chamber or association, regardless of where your business is located and still qualify for benefits through Business Health Trust. We make joining easy and part of your enrollment, just choose your association when you sign up. If your business is outside one of these regions, you can still be covered by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Our Team

We’ve gathered a team of insurance professionals to handle everything from benefit design to ongoing benefit plan administration and customer service for ultimate convenience.

Plan Administration

Vimly Benefit Solutions provides benefit administration to support the day-to-day needs of employers and employees. This includes enrollment, eligibility, financial services and customer service.

Plan Design

Advanced Professionals Insurance & Benefit Solutions is our Managing General Agent. They design Business Health Trust’s benefit packages, provide ongoing program management, and work with insurance producers/brokers to best meet the specific needs of their clients.

Leadership

Business Health Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Board of our Sponsoring Organization – Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – and serve in a volunteer capacity.

Business Health Trusts Trustees & Staff

Trustees for Industry Health Trusts also are voted on to be ratified by the Industry Health Trust membership.

*denotes employer representative that participates in BHT or the IHTs for their benefits

Business Health Trust Trustees

  • Jen Crofton*
  • Tony Williams
  • Cary Badger

Industry Health Trustees

  • Evelyn Lemoine
  • Beth Damis*
  • Mary Byrne*
  • Barbara Andrews*
  • Matt Kolacz*
  • Denise Giambalvo*
  • Simone Loban*

Business Health Trust Team

  • Sarai – Executive Director
  • Jenn – VP of Member Engagement
  • Matt – Director of Member Experience
  • Svea – Outreach and Partner Support
  • Christel – Benefits Consultant

Plan Sponsor

Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Industry Groups housed at the Chamber serve as the Plan sponsors of the Business Health Trust and Industry Health Trusts.

Plan Sponsor Agreement

Pursuant to a joint billing agreement, which you acknowledge and approve upon enrollment, one point two percent of the gross insurance premium is paid to Plan Sponsor as a participation fee.

This joint collection is for the convenience of the employer. This fee is not a Trust asset.

The services performed by the Plan Sponsor for such fee include, but are not limited to: (i) promotion and marketing the industry trusts to promote growth and stability; (ii) monitoring regulatory compliance at the state and federal level; (iii) public affairs relating to healthcare issues impacting small businesses; (iv) performing administrative services relating to maintenance of the trust platforms; (v) utilization of the Seattle Chamber facilities; (vi) access to and utilization of the Seattle Chamber staff as point persons for inquiries and issues.