[mikelockz]

I read the comment differently and agree with the gp. I'm not allowed to forgo health insurance and take it as cash. I have no agency over the compensation arrangement besides choosing one of a limited amount of options provided to me by my employer.

[zaroth]

You’re not allowed to do that, not because the company wouldn’t gladly negotiate that with you, but because it’s probably illegal under ERISA.

I do not think they are allowed to negotiate away your right to participate in the employer-sponsored plan.

[grandmczeb]

So, to be clear, you’re saying that because you can’t choose to receive cash instead of insurance that means it’s not “compensation to the person” (to quote the OP)? That’s not an argument that makes sense to me.