About the Health Benefits Trust

The Health Benefits Trust provides affordable medical, prescription drug, vision and dental benefits to Home Care Aides in Washington and Montana, who earn $10–$11 per hour to provide life-sustaining support for seniors and people with disabilities. Without the Trust’s affordable monthly premiums, many of these low-income workers would be forced to go without health insurance.

These benefits are part of Home Care Aides’ negotiated compensation for physically and mentally demanding work. The Washington State Legislature funded the development of the Health Benefits Trust in 2005.

The Health Benefits Trust is a nonprofit entity that operates independently of SEIU and participating employers. As a Taft-Hartley Trust, the Health Benefits Trust maintains a highly-regulated federal tax-exempt status. Its funds and assets are governed by its board of trustees.

By providing low-income workers with affordable coverage, The Health Benefits Trust produces significant cost savings for employers and the State as well.

The Health Benefits Trust Is the Best Option for Home Care Aides

The Health Benefits Trust is specifically designed for a low-income, high-risk population:

Generally speaking, Home Care Aides are overwhelmingly female. Many are older and have higher-than-average rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease.

Home Care Aides have very little disposable income. The plans offered through the Health Benefits Trust have no annual deductible, $10 office visit co-pays and low prescription drug costs.

The State Saves With the Health Benefits Trust

According to an independent study conducted by Mercer, a nationally-recognized authority on health benefits research and design, the Health Benefits Trust is the best actuarial value for Home Care Aides compared to the PEBB and the Basic Health Plan (BHP).

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