ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota's health insurance exchange is seeking a $55 million federal grant to help pay for its operations next year.

The board of directors of MNsure met Wednesday and reviewed the grant request.

Five previous federal grants to Minnesota's exchange added up to $110 million. Most of the $55 million request would cover salaries for about 166 full-time employees from several state agencies who would work on MNsure operations, and cover spending on technology, marketing, customer service, administration and other items.

The director of MNsure says that by 2015, the exchange is expected to be able to cover its own operating costs.

The state must submit its grant application next week with an expected award date of Oct. 1. That's the same day that MNsure is supposed to start operating.