CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — There's less than a week to go before the federal government is set to open an Internet site offering health insurance to Wyoming residents under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Wyoming is among 36 states in which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, not the individual state government, will operate the so-called health insurance exchanges. Beginning in January, the public may purchase insurance through the exchange.

Wyoming will see some of the highest premiums. But the federal government intends to offer tax credits to low-income residents to even out rates.

Wyoming Insurance Commissioner Tom Hirsig says higher rates are predictable because it's expensive to provide health care to the state's sparse population.

Hirsig says the federal agency hasn't told Wyoming yet which companies will offer coverage.

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