CANTON — Individuals and families paying a federal tax penalty for 2014 due to their lack of health insurance may avoid future penalties by signing up for coverage during a special enrollment period offered by NY State of Health.

The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is offering help with this issue to those who need it.

Special enrollment is open and ends April 30.

The Affordable Care Act imposes federal tax penalties on individuals who do not have health coverage. The penalty for those who are uninsured in 2015 and do not have an exemption will be the greater of two percent of income or $325 per adult. That will increase to the greater of two-and-a-half percent of income or $695 per adult in 2016.”

The special enrollment period is for individuals and families who had to pay a federal penalty for 2014 and had not been aware or had not understood that they would have to pay a penalty for not having health insurance coverage.

The county Chamber of Commerce is offering help in understanding tax implications and other issues surrounding the new health care laws. Insurance specialist Suzanne Casaday is available to provide information on this special enrollment period, as well as coverage for new businesses and big business.

Those turning 65 in 2015 can also receive the latest information on Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and stand-alone prescription plans.

Contact Suzanne at the Chamber, 101 Main St., Canton; 386-4000; scasaday@stlawrencecountychamber.org.

NYSOH has created videos, some targeted toward millennials, explaining the value of having health insurance coverage. Video titles include: “Time for your grown children to get health insurance,” “Health insurance – It's what adults do,” “Insure yourself to ensure your health,” and “Health insurance – Your ultimate safety net.” The videos can be found at http://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/resources.