ALBANY, N.Y., November 27 – The Healthy NY website has a new software program to help New Yorkers determine if they are eligible for the health insurance program. Healthy NY is a state-sponsored health insurance program for working New Yorkers without health insurance.

The website consists of three eligibility screeners: one for individuals, one for sole proprietors, and one for small employers. Each screener is comprised of a short series of questions to enable a user to determine whether he or she may be eligible for the Healthy NY program. While the Healthy NY website provides a full description of the programs eligibility rules, this new screening tool allows a user to understand how the eligibility rules apply to his or her specific situation.

Now there is a way for New Yorkers to find out quickly and easily if they may be eligible for Healthy NY, said Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo. There is a new interactive screening tool " in plain language, an active question and answer format that working individuals, small business people, and sole proprietors can use to get a quick idea if the program is for them.

While final eligibility determinations are decided by the health plan that a person applies to, the eligibility screeners provide a good indication of potential eligibility for Healthy NY prior to submitting an application, Dinallo said. If the choices selected by a user indicate that the person would not qualify for Healthy NY, the screener provides the user with links to explore other health insurance options.

All three screeners are available now on the Healthy NY website at www.HealthyNY.com.