[Alberta's Child]

Most companies aren't going to have much flexibility in this regard. At some point, the combination of the company's contribution and an employee's out-of-pocket costs are going to exceed the cost of an individual insurance policy.

If a company pays $600 per month for an employee's plan, and a high-level employee is expected to pay $300 per month, then the total monthly cost for the policy is $900 per month. An employee may be able to get his own policy for less than that, which means he'd be better off with a cash bonus from the company in lieu of the insurance coverage.

[Between the Lines]

At some point, the combination of the company's contribution and an employee's out-of-pocket costs are going to exceed the cost of an individual insurance policy.

A very good point! It is already cheaper for me to have a private policy as opposed to my company's plan. If you live in a state that allows co-op health insurance, check it out. I pay about 3/4 of what I would through my company.

[Snardius]

At some point, the combination of the company's contribution and an employee's out-of-pocket costs are going to exceed the cost of an individual insurance policy.

The way group insurance rates are calculated this can't happen. It's cheaper to insure employees of a company than it is to insure individuals because you can get an experience rating from the group that you can't get from individuals. That's why president Bush is pushing for small business to band together to buy insurance.

[raybbr]

...which means he'd be better off with a cash bonus from the company in lieu of the insurance coverage.

Hahahahahahahahaha! A company paying you for not using their insurance plan. Thanks for the laugh.