Affordable health insurance for small businesses in Washington State

Our member employers rely on us to provide them with access to health insurance and other benefits to attract talent and keep employees healthy and productive, as well as resources and information to maintain the health of their employees and their business. Our role as a small business partner and resource has never been more important than during this past year as we helped hundreds of businesses navigate our state’s response to the pandemic. Here are a few ways we’ve supported our members this past year:

In a response to a shortage of vaccine locations, BHT has partnered with QFC and Fred Meyer grocery stores to organize two vaccine sites, (including recruiting volunteers) in White Center and Bellevue – with more to come.  Vaccines will be given to those in the community and who qualify under the Washington Department of Health’s phased approach.

When small businesses were struggling to reopen amid a shortage of masks, hand sanitizer and other PPE, we distributed Safe Start Supply Kits to more than 500 small businesses in King County, and 000 businesses statewide to ensure they had the supplies they needed to reopen safely. This effort was covered The Stranger and KOMO News.

We led the #WeGotThisWA Webinar Series focused on helping Washington employers and employees get answers to their most urgent questions about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the state’s response.

When the pandemic first hit, we sourced the most commonly needed PPE from our member companies throughout Washington, and created our Supply Resource Guide.

We worked with our partner Archbright to provide resources and information such as an HR toolkit with sample policies to use as they adjusted to the challenges of keeping their small businesses operational and their employees safe during the pandemic.

We partnered with our members in the fitness and wellness industries to bring free and low-cost virtual lunch-time classes to our members every Wednesday through December 2020.

In the fall, to promote the importance of the flu shot, we created the “Make it Your Business to Fight the Flu” campaign and employer tool kit to help our members promote the importance of the flu shot, and to let their employees know it was covered by their insurance.

Visit our COVID-19 Resources page for more information.

Business Health Trust has gone above and beyond during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  I’ve really appreciated their leadership role in the #WeGotThisWA Webinar Series and their proactive approach to supporting not only the health of my employees, but also my business during this crisis.”

– Megan Aukema, Principal, Aukema & Associates

“In normal times – and especially during this pandemic – Business Health Trust goes above and beyond by providing me and my company with a wealth of helpful and timely information, providing access to needed resources (we just ordered masks and are in the process of scheduling a free sanitization of our office), and continually advocating so well on our behalf at the local, state, and national level.”

– Eric Sanders, CFO, Humanities Washington

“Business Health Trust really helped out my taxicab business during this stressful period. When we could not find gloves or disinfectants, they provided both. They have helped keep me, my taxi drivers and our passengers safe during this pandemic and helped us to continue to help our community.”

– Chris Anderson, Owner, Mason County Taxi

“I ended up with Business Health Trust because they were in the top three options for my employee benefits program. What I didn’t realize was the benefits of being part of the group. When COVID-19 hit, they stepped to the plate with resources for us. Not just emails (I get hundreds of those from 20+ organizations) – real resources.”

– Melanie Bakala, State Farm Insurance Agent