OBJECTIVES: To develop an instrument to assess usefulness of any given simulation software in the Health Economics (HE) field and to create a list of available software for modeling. METHODS: A continued Internet search for available open source or commercial discrete events simulation (DES) software that could be used in the HE field was performed for four years. Selection of packages included in this study was based either in having animation or a module based programming or because models could be uploaded and accessed through Internet. A more detailed comparison (building the same model) was made between TreeAge ProSuite, Arena-Basic, Simul8-Basic and Simul8-Professional with an instrument designed by the author specifically for this reason including 22 items grouped in three categories: 1) Processing capacity and ease of use; 2) Adaptability to HE; 3) Transparency and capacity to self-explain. Other packages mentioned below were not measured with this instrument due to lack of hands on experience by the author. TreeAge ProSuite was included as a gold standard comparator for HE.  A Linkert scale (1 to 5) was used to grade each item. RESULTS: Thirteen packages were found and considered in this review.  Among the best software (included two or three characteristics of the selection criteria) suitable for HE modeling were AnyLogic, Arena, SAS Simulation Studio, Simio, Simul8 and TreeAge.  Average grades (ordered from less expensive to most expensive) were as follows: Simul8-Basic, 3.89; TreeAge ProSuite, 3.07; Arena-Basic, 3.00; Simul8-Professional, 4.43. CONCLUSIONS: This work tried to create a list of items to objectively measure the characteristics of HE modeling software.  At this point results of the graded packages represent the views of the author. This instrument may be a useful tool when deciding between different packages to buy. Future work is required for this instrument to be assessed by other modeling experts.