Pfizer to Continue Support of NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp® Program

Pledge Will Allow Millions of Seniors Get the Help They Need

WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council on Aging (NCOA) today announced Pfizer's continued sponsorship of its popular BenefitsCheckUp® program.  Pfizer has supported the free consumer information program since 2002, and is part of a team of over 20 sponsors including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, foundations, corporations, and government partners.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100706/DC30985LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100706/DC30985LOGO)  

Developed and maintained by NCOA, www.BenefitsCheckUp.org is the nation's most comprehensive online service that helps older adults with limited resources search for benefits programs for which they may be eligible.  Since 2001, more than two and a half million people have used the free service to identify benefits valued at more than $8.5 billion.

"We are pleased Pfizer has re-signed as a sponsor of BenefitsCheckUp," said Stuart Spector, senior vice president at NCOA. "In these troubled economic times, BenefitsCheckUp provides an increasingly needed public service and support from companies like Pfizer is an important way for NCOA to maintain this free service that now receives over 100,000 visitors on a monthly basis."  

BenefitsCheckUp helps older Americans find and enroll in federal, state, local and private programs that help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care and other needs.  The program also provides information on Medicare prescription drug coverage and offers tips to seniors on cutting costs.  Older adults, caregivers, and organizations working one on one with seniors can use BenefitsCheckUp to check program eligibility for almost 2,000 benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and identify programs that best fit their needs.

"Pfizer is proud to continue to support with NCOA to help America's older adults maintain their healthcare independence," said Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer of Pfizer. "Providing this valuable information in an easy to use manner helps seniors get the right information at the right time to assure they are able to access the health care benefits they deserve and continued medical care they need."  

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans — especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged — and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities.

About Pfizer

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Learn more at www.pfizer.com.

SOURCE National Council on the Aging, Inc.