Inflexibly benefit offerings are why I generally prefer structuring my employment as 'contractor' / B2B, but I realize many people are unable to structure their employment that way. You're right that it would be advantageous if total compensation were better understood so that employees and employer could negotiate what works for them.

>It would make more sense for a company to even offer a HSA where they contribute as much as they would to a plan to a savings account and allow the employee to also contribute their share pre-tax. And apply that to plans available on the open market.

Agreed