Oregon's new health insurance exchange has approved 22 companies to offer medical and dental insurance to uninsured Oregonians.

Cover Oregon released the list of approved insurance carriers on Tuesday. The state has certified that the companies meet standards under state and federal law, but their specific insurance plans have not yet been reviewed.

Approved carriers will be able to sell insurance starting in October through Cover Oregon, which will be an online marketplace allowing businesses and individuals to shop for coverage, compare prices and find out whether they qualify for federal subsidies.

President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act requires most Americans to have insurance coverage by Jan. 1 or pay a fine.