Merck Broadens Patient Support and Assistance Programs

Support is Available for Eligible U.S. Patients Who Have Lost Their Jobs and Health Insurance Coverage Due to the Pandemic

On Apr 21, 2020

Recognizing the changing needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenilworth-based Merck is taking a number of new steps to support patients in the United States who may have lost their jobs and insurance coverage.

First, Merck will continue to ensure access to Merck medicines at no cost for eligible patients through its Merck Patient Assistance Program – one of the first of its kind in the U.S. – created 60 years ago based on the company’s belief that no one should go without the medicines or vaccines they need. The Merck Patient Assistance Program is making a number of changes to help patients who have lost their job or cannot get into their doctor’s office during this crisis, including assessing patients’ real-time financial situations, providing assistance with expiring enrollments, and offering new options to collect signatures on enrollment forms. The long-running Merck Patient Assistance Program has helped more than 700,000 eligible patients receive their Merck medicines at no cost since 2017 and these enhancements have been made to help patients experiencing unique difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merck will also be making changes to other U.S. access and assistance programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a temporary $0 co-pay for certain products for eligible privately insured patients who are enrolled in the Merck Access Program. In addition, our company has, where appropriate, relaxed certain refill restrictions related to coupon use, and all existing coupon programs remain available to privately insured eligible patients.*

“As a company whose mission is to save and improve lives, Merck remains deeply committed to ensuring that our medicines and vaccines reach the patients who need them, without interruption,” said Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, chief patient officer, Merck. “George W. Merck’s challenge to us to never forget that medicines are for the people is always in our minds, and at this challenging time for our patients and our communities, we want to do even more to help.”

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