Pfizer's Support of NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp® Program Will Point Struggling Seniors to Needed Benefits

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the 10th year in a row, Pfizer is sponsoring the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to support its popular BenefitsCheckUp® program.

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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.

As of Aug. 1, BenefitsCheckUp®, which receives over 100,000 unique visitors per month, has helped nearly 3 million older adults identify over $10.2 billion in annual benefits.

"It's wonderful to have Pfizer on board for the 10th straight year," said Stuart Spector, senior vice president at NCOA. "Pfizer understands that BenefitsCheckUp® provides a critical public service—especially now when so many older adults are struggling economically. We greatly appreciate their support."  

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 realizes that older adults want to maintain their health care independence," said Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer of Pfizer. "By supporting this valuable tool, we are ensuring that seniors get the right information at the right time, and that 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's mission is to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans 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.  www.NCOA.org | www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging

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 Aging