What excuse are the health insurance companies using for raising their rates?

0bamacare did go through. They will be eligible beginning in 2014 as long as the average group rate is more than 9 1/2% of the employees' salary and the employer will be fined. If the premium is less than 9 1/2% they won't be eligible.

Don't expect the 0bamacare premiums to be any lower, unless you qualify for a subsidy, because 0bamacare did nothing to curb the cost of health care but instead your premiums will go up an additional $60 to $90 per month per person to cover the new taxes starting January 1, 2014.

The insurance companies aren't using excuses. The REASONS health insurance is increasing is overall healthcare cost, medical cost increases, and having to increase benefits due to the increased requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

Also, most people know that group insurance is the most expensive type of insurance. So, if the employer is only contributing $150 per month, then the question is WHY do they have insurance through his work? A 40-year family can get really good coverage in my state for less than $600 per month. It just sounds like they need to call a health insurance broker and find out what they can do on their own....if anything. It depends on their age, health, and what state they live in. But, in most states for a young, healthy family, that's an outrageous cost and they reason they're paying it is likely naivety more than anything. If they live in New York or aren't healthy...then that's a good rate.

Allow me to add. I work for a large health insurance company. This is the fundamental of a group insurance. Lets say john and jane are the only 2 members in the health insurance plan. Lets say john and jane each pay 100 a year for insurance. In year one, lets say john broke his arm and went to the doctor. He cost the insurance 50 dollars. Jane didnt go to the doctor at all. The insurance collected 200 and paid 50. The insurance company also uses the premium to pay 2 employees, and pay the rent for the insurance office costing another 30 dollars. The insurance company now holds 130 in surplus. Rates do not change. Now lets say in year two, john goes skiing, breaks both his legs, and while in the hospital its determined that he needs reconstructive surgery. Johns bills cost 300 dollars. Jane still has not been to the doctor. The insurance company would have collected 200 more dollars for year 2, and had 130 in surplus. The company pays johns bills and its own overhead of 30. The company breaks even and now has zero dollars in surplus. They need to now raise rates on john and jane. They cannot afford another year like year 2 or they will be out of business and jane and john will lose their insurance.

considering how large and complex bocare is

Few understand it well enough to figure costs

for many folks.