CANTON -- Just about everyone has a question about changes in health insurance, the federal Affordable Care Act, and the new state exchanges, and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce believes it can help.

The chamber has an on-staff health insurance expert who is trained and certified to assist employers and individuals in finding affordable insurance options.

The Chamber has provided insurance service to businesses for years, and now can also help individuals and families find a plan that’s right for them. Chamber employee and insurance specialist, Suzanne Casaday, has been certified to work within New York State’s exchange, NY State of Health, and has the latest information on what’s available for St. Lawrence County residents and businesses.

For small businesses, Casaday has been certified to work with the “SHOP,” or Small Business Health Options Program, on New York’s insurance exchange and is available to assist small businesses in choosing the plan that best suits their needs.

On Oct. 10 she is scheduled for training to work on the state insurance exchange for individuals seeking insurance as well.

She is also available to assist with Medicare questions, Part C supplemental and advantage plans, and Part D prescription plans.

Suzanne will be scheduling group informational sessions, in several locations throughout the county, in the near future, and is also available for one-on-one consultations by phone or in person.

Contact her at scasaday@stlawrencecountychamber.org, or by calling 386-2107, or toll free at 1-877-228-7810 or stopping by the Chamber office, 101 Main St., Canton.

In the meantime, here are some common questions and issues about the changes to come, for employers and individuals.

The Affordable Care Act includes a requirement that employers notify employees of the option to use the new State Exchange. However, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that there will be no fine or penalty for those employers that fail to notify their employees of the exchange option.

It is up to the employer to decide this year to comply or not.

Employers who choose to notify employees can obtain model notices from the Chamber office in Canton, or can download the notices from the DOL website: http://templatelab.com/FLSA-with-plans/ for employers who do not offer a health plan and www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/FLSAwithplans.pdf for employers who offer a health plan to some or all employees

The employer mandate has been postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2015. The individual mandate takes effect January 1, 2014. Individuals and their families must have health insurance as of Jan. 1, 2014 or pay a federal penalty.

There are a number of new choices for individuals and families, and many may qualify for federal help. There are even new, low cost catastrophic plans for younger people.

Open enrollment in New York State’s health plan marketplace began Oc. 1 of this year and continues until March 15, 2014.

Individuals earning less than $45,960 ($94,200 for a family of four) may be eligible for financial assistance that will make coverage more affordable.

No one is to be denied health insurance or charged more on the basis of a pre-existing condition.

For more information on NY State of Health, contact Casaday at the Chamber or visit the New York State website http://healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov/