If the example one Georgia insurance company offered is true of the others, coverage under the individual plans to be offered in October under federal health reform will be about 45 percent higher than what a middle-aged family of five could get today.

“I am very concerned that the full implementation of ObamaCare will drastically increase the price Georgians pay for health insurance,” said Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.

But officials at the Georgia Department of Insurance aren’t ready to offer any public conclusions while independent actuaries evaluate the plans and premiums seven companies submitted in April. Hudgens has the power to reject rates he considers too high even though the federal government will operate Georgia’s online exchange where they’ll be sold in addition to private insurance agents.

“Insurers cannot expect to hide behind changes in federal law as a pretext for boosting their bottom line,” he said. “My first responsibility is to protect Georgia consumers, and as ObamaCare continues to unfold, I will do my best to fulfill that duty.”

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