It is yes, no 'basicly' involved.
My company will see a 1.2% increase for 2014 (United Health) so the quoted companies in your story aren't being truthful, probably to increase return for investors, which (sadly) is the only reason they're in business.
I know, it is sad that any business would want to pay their bills, make some profit and pay dividends to their investors.
If you have a 401k, you are likely one of those investors yourself.
From the link provided:
"No matter how well-funded it is from employer to employer, itÂ’s an approach that is gaining momentum. Other benefits firms are pushing it to employers. Aon Hewitt rival Mercer earlier this year said that 10 major insurance carriers, including Aetna (AET), Cigna (CI), Humana (HUM),
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) and a host of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans signed on to the firmÂ’s private exchange for 2014 enrollment."
Maybe your company is one of those signed up for the private exchanges.