Choosing Health Exchange Plans Starts Oct. 1

Editor's Note: This post was originally written by Michael Woyton.

Next Tuesday is not only the start of a new month but the beginning of new era in the United States.

October 1 is the date the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges start rolling out.

The enrollment period for 2014 runs through March.

According to the Huffington Post, the exchanges are designed to be easier for people without health insurance, or who already buy it on their own, to get coverage.

The Huffington Post provided a calculator that can give you an estimate on what the insurance will cost and how much of a subsidy you can get.

So does the state of New York with its New York State of Health Web site, which can be reached through the Westchester County Web site. There are locations throughout the county where you can meet with a "health navigator." The county navigator map is embedded in this post.

Coverage purchased through the exchanges begins Jan 1. That's when the individual mandate kicks in, the Huffington Post said. 

There is a penalty for choosing to remain uninsured: $95 or 1 percent of your annual income, whichever is higher. And the penalty increases in subsequent years.