What We Offer


Association Health Plan for Washington State Businesses

We help you create a benefits program that attracts talent and keeps your employees feeling good and productive – at a budget you can afford.

When you partner with BHT you get:

  • Exclusive choices from major carriers
  • A wealth of cost savings opportunities
  • Access to policy advocacy, community connections, and business resources
  • Comprehensive plan administration, so you can focus on what’s important – your business

For more details about our offering, download a brochure or visit our Benefit Portal to see detailed plan option

What is an Association Health Plan?

BHT is what the industry calls an Association Health Plan. Association Health Plans (AHPs) 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. So not only does this lead to better, more affordable benefits coverage but also can allow for benefits that are more appropriate for a company’s specific employees.

In 2020, more than 15,000 small business employees across Washington State get their benefits through Business Health Trust. We can offer plans to virtually every type of business throughout the state of Washington.

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

Medical & Prescription Plans

Premera-logo

Premera Blue Cross offers 17 different medical plans to employers with 5 or more enrolled employees through targeted Industry Health Trusts for companies in the following industries: Aerospace, Healthcare, Media, Tourism, Transportation & Maritime, Agriculture, Business Services, Community Service Orgs, Construction & Real Estate, End-Line Manufacturing, Information Technology, Retail, and Wholesaling.

Kaiser-logo

Kaiser Permanente medical plans are offered to employers with up to 50 employees, offering scalable, competitive benefits for even the smallest companies. All plans include pharmacy benefits and an array of deductable options. Offers both HMO and PPO.

Other Benefits and Cost Savings

We are more than just an association that offers health insurance. Business Health Trust health insurance association members can access a wide variety of additional services, resources and savings. Here are just a few:

  • On-demand virtual care that allows members to get care at their convenience without a visit to the doctor’s office
  • 24-hour nurse line at no additional cost, confidential health advice from a registered nurse
  • Passport Corporate employee discount program at no additional cost
  • Wellness resources including a monthly Healthy Living with Business Health Trust e-newsletter
  • Cost-savings for your business through our Plan Sponsor’s Member Savings Toolkit including:
    • Discounts of 10% – 55% percent on common office expenses
    • Savings on business services such as human resources, high-speed internet & phone, and email marketing tools
    • Discounts up to 50% on retail ORCA passes for employees
    • Reduced venue rentals at the Seattle Metro Chamber Microsoft Events Center

Consolidated Administration & Customer Support

Based in Seattle, BHT is a Washington State health plan association that offers comprehensive plan administration, so you can focus on what’s important: your business. For ultimate convenience, we offer consolidated billing, online payment, and online access to benefits for easy enrollment throughout the year. COBRA administration is available at no additional cost, and all plan documents and forms are quickly accessible online. But we know there’s no substitute for a real person. When you need help, our knowledgeable, friendly, local staff is happy to lend a hand.

Small Business Advocacy and Resources

BHT is offered through the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and partnerships with membership organizations throughout the state. Participation requires membership at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce or one of our partner organization: Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, OneRedmond, Bellevue Chamber and Archbright. This partnership means that in addition to comprehensive employee benefits, you get access to the policy advocacy, community connections, and business resources of leading business associations in the region.

Who is Eligible?

Washington companies with two or more enrolled employees are eligible to participate in the Business Health Trust benefit program. Participation requires membership with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce or one of our partner organizations: Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, OneRedmond, Bellevue Chamber and Archbright. Your membership in any of the above organizations automatically qualifies you for one of our 13 industry group health plan association memberships (at no additional cost), and all the advocacy, resources and savings that go along with it.

Health Insurance


Provide for your team and attract talent with solid medical and ancillary plans.


Health Insurance

Human Resources


Get the support you need to navigate the most challenging business scenarios.

  • HR Hotline
  • Legal Advice
  • Safety Advice
  • Employee Handbook Review

Human Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Association Health Plan?

Business Health Trust is what the insurance industry calls an Association Health Plan (AHP). Association Health Plans 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.

BHT was founded in 2007 so that small businesses and non-profits could offer their employees the 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 15,000 small business employees across the state get their health insurance benefits through BHT.

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 market and advocating for changes that benefit small businesses — nationally, and at the state and local level.

Find out more about our 40+ plans!

What does Business Health Trust do?

We offer comprehensive and affordable employee benefits to small and mid-sized businesses and non-profits in Washington state so that they can provide competitive employee benefit programs for sustainable organizations and healthy, productive employees. BHT is what the insurance industry calls an Association Health Plan.

Our comprehensive offerings give employers a choice of over 40 affordable medical plans, and a wide range of additional employee benefits. Not only that, we handle all aspects of plan administration, offering consolidated billing, online payment, and online access to benefits for easy enrollment throughout the year.

Send us a quick note and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

What is Group Health Insurance vs an Association Health Plan?

“Group health insurance” refers to insurance plans that businesses large or small can offer to their employees. An Association Health Plan is when businesses actually band together as one large group which helps lower expenses and can come with other values as well.

Find out more

What are Association Health Plan Pros and Cons?

While there are always pros and cons to consider for any health plan decision for your business, most small businesses find that this is the best way to provide their employees with the competitive benefit packages of larger employers with employer-sponsored plans. Some have noted potential pitfalls with AHPs that are limited to certain industries. Fortunately BHT is covers practically any industry.

What size of business does BHT serve?

Whether you have 2 employees or more than 100 we can help you create a benefits program that attracts top talent and keeps your workforce healthy and happy. So as a small tech startup in Seattle, a mid-sized business in Cle Elum, or a non-profit in Bellevue – you can provide competitive benefits programs to your team.

Contact us to get started and we’ll respond in a snap!

What kind of business does BHT work with?

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. Businesses we partner with include those in aerospace, agriculture, automotive, business services, construction, manufacturing, media, retail, technology, tourism and transportation.

Use this quick form to message us and we’ll get started immediately

Can I offer multiple plans to my employees?

Yes. If you have 10 or more employees, you can offer multiple plans, giving your employees options that meet their individual needs.

Let us know what you need and we’ll connect ASAP!

Are all of the plans ACA compliant?

Yes!

Contact us here and we’ll reply right away

Does BHT offer non-medical benefits?

Yes! We offer Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, access to pre-tax FSA and CDHP, and more.

Find out more about our 40+ plans!

What kind of consumer protections are in place with Association Health Plans?

The same consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections that apply to large businesses will also apply to AHPs organized under this rule. Furthermore, AHPs may not charge higher premiums or deny coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions, or cancel coverage because an employee becomes ill. AHPs will not be able to charge different premiums to employees based on their health status. Additionally, AHPs under this rule will not be able to charge employers different rates based on the health status of their employees. Learn more here.

Need a quote? Request one here.