Waive health benefits for higher pay?
I received a job offer that allows me to choose between two options:
$35/hr with health insurance. The company pays 100% of employee premium. I would be able to add dependents at my own cost.
$38/hr and waive insurance coverage
If I choose option 1 and choose my own insurance plan, the company will contribute an amount equal to the cost of the premium for the Kaiser Plan.
I live in a HCOL area in California. The company offers insurance through Kaiser which I do not want to use because our current doctors are not in the Kaiser network.
In summary, I will be purchasing a health insurance plan through Covered California no matter which option I choose.
My question is: do I take the higher pay or the insurance?
I have a partner and two young kids.