Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust

What Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust does

The Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust is a non-profit, collectively bargained welfare trust that delivers health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental medical benefits to active and retired members of the Vancouver Firefighters' Union and their eligible dependents. It operates under the broader WSCFF Employee Benefit Trust umbrella and is funded through employer and member contributions negotiated via collective bargaining with the City of Vancouver. The trust does not carry insurance risk itself; instead, it contracts with a network of external vendors and carriers to administer each benefit line. The trust also maintains a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP), established in November 2015, to handle supplemental medical reimbursements for its membership.

Benefit delivery is executed through a multi-vendor partner stack rather than an in-house insurance platform. Pharmacy benefits are administered through ProAct, dental and vision/hearing through dedicated dental and vision carriers, life and disability coverage through MetLife, and behavioral health and employee assistance services through Magellan. Until late 2025, core claims and benefit administration were handled by Loomis; effective October 1, 2025, this third-party administration function is migrating to Sisco, representing the most significant operational shift in the trust's vendor stack. The trust itself is administered by a small internal team (1-10 employees) that coordinates vendor relationships, eligibility, and trust governance.

The business model is a closed, contributory welfare trust: revenue is not commercially earned but rather consists of negotiated per-member contributions remitted under the CBA, which are then paid out as claims, premiums to carriers, and administrative costs. There is no commercial go-to-market, no external customer acquisition, and no pricing flexibility beyond what the collective bargaining agreement permits at each renewal. Growth, therefore, is bounded by the size of the Vancouver Fire Department's uniformed workforce and retiree rolls, and the trust's strategic agenda is principally operational (vendor management, plan design refinement, and platform modernization) rather than expansionary.

Name

Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust

Legal name

Vancouver Firefighters Union Health & Welfare Trust

Website

https://vanfiretrust.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust is a non-profit, collectively bargained welfare trust that administers health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental medical benefits for active and retired Vancouver firefighters and their dependents, funded through CBA contributions and delivered via a network of external carriers and TPAs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Benefits Trust Administration

NAICS

Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds (5251), Health and Welfare Funds (525120), Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds (524292)

SIC

Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324), Accident & Health Insurance (6321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSAAANAC

Employee Benefit & Retirement Plan Trust Services

Financial & Insurance/Asset & Wealth Management/Trust & Fiduciary Services (Trust Companies, Estate & Custody Trusts)

SECONDARYHLAEALAK

Flexible Benefits Administration (FSA/HSA/HRA)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Health Insurance & Managed Care/Third-Party Administration (TPA) & Administrative Services Only (ASO)

SECONDARYFSAIAIAB

Group Disability Income Insurance (Employer-Sponsored)

Financial & Insurance/Insurance — Life & Health/Disability Income Insurance (Short- & Long-Term)

Keywords

• Health benefit trust
• Union welfare benefits
• Medical reimbursement plan
• First responder health
• Mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Health Benefit Trust Contributions: The Trust is funded through contributions negotiated in collective bargaining agreements between the Vancouver Firefighters Union and the city/employer. Contributions are pre-tax dollars held in the WSCFF Employee Benefit Trust.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

The Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust (VFUHWT) is a closed-membership health benefit trust that administers medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, mental health/EAP, telehealth, HRA, long-term disability, supplemental insurance, and retiree medical reimbursement benefits for active and retired Vancouver firefighters and their eligible dependents. Benefits are funded via contributions negotiated through collective bargaining agreements with the WSCFF Employee Benefit Trust and administered by third-party administrators (Loomis through 9/30/2025; SISCO from 10/1/2025).

Product overview

Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust is a health and welfare benefit trust providing comprehensive insurance coverage to active and retired Vancouver firefighters. The Trust offers a unified platform of benefit products including Medical (active and retiree), Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Mental Health/EAP, Telehealth, Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Long Term Disability, AFLAC supplemental insurance, Regenexx orthopedic procedures, MERP retirement healthcare fund, and Peer Support. Benefits are administered through Third Party Administrators (formerly Loomis, transitioning to SISCO in 2025) with integrated services including Healthcare Bluebook price transparency, Pathways Concierge support, and MediVI provider search tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Plan (Active) Health insurance coverage for active Vancouver firefighters and their dependents, providing medical benefits, hospital coverage, and preventive care services administered through First Choice Network and TPA.
• Retiree Medical Plan Health insurance coverage for retired Vancouver firefighters and their dependents, including concierge services and provider network access through First Choice Network.
• Pharmacy Benefits

Quantifiable outcome

• 88.64% of patients at recommended treatment facilities are alcohol-free one month after rehab; 85-95% abstinent from other drugs nine months after rehab; 80% report improved quality of life

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SiscocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2025Sisco is the new Third Party Administrator (TPA) for the Trust effective October 1, 2025. They handle claims processing, member services, and HRA administration. Members receive new ID cards and login credentials through Sisco Connect portal.
• The Loomis CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCurrent medical claims administrator through September 30, 2025. Loomis handles medical coverage, provides LoomisLive member portal, and customer service at 800-367-3721. Address: P.O. Box 7011, 850 North Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610.
• ProActcoreTechnology or IntegrationPharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) providing prescription drug coverage. Help Desk: 877-635-9545. RXBIN: 023575, RXPCN: 9999, RXGRP: VCR. Provides retail and mail order pharmacy services with member portal access.
• MetLifecoreTechnology or IntegrationDental plan administrator with Group Number 5374417. Provides dental provider network, mobile app, and claims processing. Also offers voluntary pet insurance through the same relationship.
• IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized treatment facility for firefighters dealing with substance abuse, PTSD, and co-occurring behavioral health issues. Located in Marlboro, Maryland. Contact: 866-549-6522. Recommended by the Trust for first responder-specific treatment.
• Hazelden Betty FordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreatment facility recommended for substance abuse, PTSD, and behavioral health issues. Multiple locations. Contact: 1-877-464-2193. Provides specialized first responder drug treatment program.
• Deer Hollow Recovery and Wellness CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecommended treatment facility for first responders specializing in PTSD, trauma, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. Located in Draper, UT. Contact: 888-593-5609. Offers outpatient, telehealth, and inpatient options.
• Cedar Hills Hospital Crisis Stabilization UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrisis stabilization unit recommended for members in crisis. Contact: 503-944-5000. Available for mental health crisis intervention and stabilization.
• Magellan HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) provider offering 8 free counseling sessions for members and dependents. Available 24/7/365. Access through member.magellanhealthcare.com or 1-800-523-5668. Provides virtual therapy through BetterHelp.
• AFLACminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplemental insurance provider offering cash benefits paid directly to members for covered events. Benefits can be used at member's discretion. Enrollment through memberbenefitlogin.com/VanFire.
• RegenexxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized orthopedic provider offering minimally invasive Interventional Orthopedics using member's own stem cells and platelets. Alternative to traditional surgery with less risk and downtime. Contact: 360-454-9071.
• Safe Call NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrisis support hotline for public safety employees, emergency services personnel, and their family members. Provides confidential support nationwide. Crisis Line: 206-459-3020.
• 6 Degrees HealthcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeveloped MediVI provider search tool and provides balance bill support services. Also handles out-of-network provider coordination and case management for the Trust.
• MediVi (6 Degrees Health)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvider search tool developed by 6 Degrees Health. Available as mobile app or web-based tool at www.medivi.com. Helps members locate in-network providers.
• Pathways ConciergecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPersonal healthcare concierge service helping members understand benefits, navigate healthcare options, and schedule procedures. Contact: 888-332-9771 or [email protected]. Particularly recommended before scheduling elective procedures.
• First Choice NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider network for medical coverage in WA, OR, ID, and AK. Accessed through www.fchn.com for finding in-network medical providers.
• BPA (Benefits Plan Administrators)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird Party Administrator for the Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP). Contact: (844) 353-7839 or (213) 406-2370. Handles MERP recordkeeping and claims payments for retiree medical expenses.
• WSCFF Employee Benefit TrustcoreOthersThe parent trust entity established by the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters to provide retiree medical expense support. Controlled by a Board of Trustees selected by union membership.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Emerging players

• Healthcare Bluebook: Price-transparency partner used by the Trust to help members shop for fair-price providers. Comparable as a value-add technology layer integrated into self-funded plan benefit design.

Direct peers

• The Loomis Company: The Trust's current Third Party Administrator (through 9/30/2025) for medical claims, member services, and provider network access via the First Choice Network. Directly comparable as a self-funded health plan administrator for public-sector trust clients.
• 6 Degrees Health: Provides balance-bill support, out-of-network case management, and the MediVI provider search tool used by the Trust. Comparable as a specialized health-plan navigation and advocacy partner to self-funded plans.
• Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association: Long-standing firefighter benefit association providing health, welfare, and death-and-disability benefits to LAFD members. Directly comparable as a closed-membership, fire-service-specific health and welfare trust.
• Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 Health & Welfare Fund: A union-sponsored health and welfare fund providing medical, dental, and vision benefits to Chicago firefighters and dependents under collective bargaining. Highly comparable closed-membership firefighter benefit trust structure.
• Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Employee Benefit Trust: The parent trust entity established by the WSCFF to house retiree medical benefit programs. Operates the same union health-and-welfare trust model serving Washington firefighters, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• Benefits Plan Administrators (BPA): TPA administering the Trust's Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) for retirees. Comparable as a third-party administrator for union and public-sector benefit reimbursement programs.
• SISCO Benefits: The Trust's incoming Third Party Administrator (effective 10/1/2025) handling claims, HRA, and member services. A TPA with comparable employer and union benefit plan clients across multiple states.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vancouver-firefighters-union-health-and-welfare-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vancouver Firefighters Union Health and Welfare Trust