New York State
Insurance Department

 
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF HEALTHY NY WEB SITE
Now Includes Spanish Version to Increase Outreach on Important Health Insurance Program

            Superintendent Gregory V. Serio today announced that the State’s Healthy NY Web site is now available in Spanish. Healthy NY, signed into law by Governor Pataki in 1999, is designed specifically for workers without insurance, sole proprietors and small business owners and their employees. Now, Spanish-speaking New Yorkers can obtain information about this important health insurance program at www.healthny.com.

            "Consumers are our number one priority and to better meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking population in New York State we are extremely pleased to be launching a Spanish version of our Healthy NY Web site," said Serio. The Department is committed to effectively and efficiently serving the needs of New York’s insurance consumers. This new Web site will enable us to offer even more uninsured New Yorkers access to a vital opportunity for health care coverage."

            The Web site details the following:

• Eligibility Criteria for Small Employers, Individuals and Sole Proprietors;
• Healthy NY Benefit Package;
• How to Apply;
• Healthy NY Rates by County;
• HMOs by County; and
• Frequently asked questions by Small Employers, and Sole Proprietors and Individuals.

            "Offering a Spanish version of the Healthy NY Web site enables us to inform even more New Yorkers of this vital program as we strive to reduce the number of uninsured sole proprietors, and workers who are employed in firms that either do not offer health insurance benefits or are ineligible for their employer’s insurance coverage," added Serio.

            The Healthy NY program was established when Governor Pataki signed into law the Health Care Reform Act of 2000. The Healthy NY program promotes access to quality health care by providing comprehensive health insurance to uninsured small businesses and individuals. As of January 2001, Healthy NY’s comprehensive health insurance benefits package is available through all New York State HMOs and other insurers approved by the State Insurance Department.

            The new Web site will complement the outreach already started with the toll-free Healthy NY hotline, which has the ability to handle over 140 languages. For further information on Healthy NY visit the Web site at www.healthny.com or call us toll-free at the Healthy NY hotline--1-866-HEALTHY NY (1-866-432-5849).