What you need to know for 2023

Check out our benefits and wellbeing journey map that shows how Merck can provide what you need when you need it.

Contributions holding steady

For the fourth consecutive year, contributions for medical, dental, vision and optional life benefits did not increase.

This kind of cost stability in today’s market is nothing short of remarkable. We continue to manage our programs and vendors to ensure they are running as efficiently as possible. And thank you for everything you do to manage your health care costs for the good of all Merck employees and families.

Note: Life insurance rates are based on your age and annual salary. If you move into a new age band or your salary changes, your contributions for life insurance will change in the following month.

Access to quality care

We are committed to providing access to high-quality and affordable health care. Our medical plan travel benefit has expanded its list of eligible services and provides transportation and lodging assistance in situations where Merck medical plan members need treatment that is legal and covered under our medical plan, but not available within 100 miles of home.

If you have questions about our medical plan or access to care, please contact a Horizon Health Guide at 877-663-7258, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

Prescription drugs

We want to make sure you have easy, affordable access to the drugs you need when you need them.

  • Oral contraceptives can now be purchased at retail pharmacies (in addition to our plan’s mail order service). With Smart90, you can also get a 90-day supply at any participating CVS or Walgreens.
  • Merck drugs on the $0 copay list that transferred to Organon will continue to be on the $0 copay list through the end of 2023, provided there is no generic alternative.
  • The list of drugs subject to prior authorization is expanding slightly. If you are affected by this change, you’ll be notified by Express Scripts.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Use Merck’s FSAs to pay for important health care and dependent care expenses while saving on taxes.

  • The health care FSA contribution limit for 2023 is $2,850. In addition, for the health care FSA only, up to $550 of unused 2022 funds rolled over to 2023. The maximum rollover amounts from 2023 to 2024 will be $570.
  • The dependent care FSA contribution limit for 2023 continues to be $5,000. Rollover of unused funds is no longer be permitted (this provision was instituted temporarily as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Retirement resources…all in one place

Now you can access everything you need to know about your Merck pension, 401(k) and financial planning benefits in one place…Fidelity NetBenefits.

Go to netbenefits.com/merck or call 800-66-MERCK to:

  • Estimate your future pension and 401(k) benefits
  • Check your 401(k) balance
  • Make 401(k) contribution or investment changes
  • Contact a Fidelity financial planning consultant for a complimentary retirement planning analysis

As a reminder, on January 1, 2023, Fidelity replaced Ernst & Young as the provider for Merck financial planning services. Fidelity financial planning consultants are free, available now and ready to help! Call 800-603-4015 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Retiree medical

Eligibility for the Merck Retiree Medical Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) has changed. Employees hired or rehired* on or after April 1, 2022, are not eligible to participate in the HRA subsidy. This change does not impact access to the Medicare exchange through Alight Retiree Health Solutions or eligibility for the Group Retiree Medical Plan (generally, for retirees who are pre-65 or not Medicare-eligible). Employees hired before April 1, 2022, are not impacted by this change.

* If you were rehired on or after April 1, 2022, but you already had eligibility for subsidized retiree medical (including the HRA), you are not impacted by this change.

Preventive care

The best way to stay healthy is to avoid getting sick. Yeah, we know, Captain Obvious…but you’d be surprised how many of us don’t take advantage of the free preventive care Merck provides.

  • Preventive care is 100% covered under our medical plan when in-network: Get your annual physical, cancer screenings, flu and other vaccines (including the COVID-19 vaccine/booster).

How to get a flu vaccine:

  • At your doctor’s office — Present your Horizon BCBS ID card. To find an in-network doctor, go to horizonblue.com/merck or contact a Horizon Health Guide at 877-663-7258.
  • At a pharmacy — Present your Express Scripts ID card. In-network pharmacies include Costco, CVS, Duane Reade, Kroger, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club, Walgreens and Walmart. If you need help finding an in-network retail pharmacy, go to Express-Scripts.com (you do not need a login) or call 800-796-3725.
  • Do a mental health check-in with a mental health coach or therapist through Lyra, our U.S. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Take advantage of up to 12 free sessions per calendar year for you, your spouse/domestic partner, any of your household members and your dependents outside the household (up to age 26). Go to merck.lyrahealth.com or Sync > HR > Lyra (from a Merck device) to learn more, or call Lyra at 844-737-9423.
  • Get two routine dental exams per calendar year, 100% covered with no deductible when in-network under our dental plan.
  • Get your vision exam — If you’re enrolled in VSP, you only pay a $10 copay per year when in-network; if you’re only enrolled in the Merck medical plan, you can get a routine eye exam every 24 months.
  • Explore Virgin Pulse, our online well-being platform with challenges, activities and resources for improving your physical, mental, financial and social well-being. You can connect with peers by participating in team challenges and posting words of encouragement and motivation on the leaderboard. We’ll pay you and your spouse/domestic partner each up to $225 every year for participating! Get started today at join.virginpulse.com/liveit.

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