Only in the sense that you can optionally not accept it. But it still is part of your compensation, as is in effect, even the "employer-paid" portions of health

Only in the sense that you can optionally not accept it. But it still is part of your compensation, as is in effect, even the "employer-paid" portions of healthcare and other benefits. From the perspective of the employer they are part of your costs and the direct payments reflect that, likewise you would need to pay those costs yourself if you were self-employed.