Merck believes our medicines should be available to the people who need them, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes the more than 45 million people in the United States who lack prescription drug coverage. Merck is working with government and private sector partners to help find long-term policy solutions that make health coverage available to the people who need it. Until there is a solution, Merck has several programs to help.
U.S. Patient Assistance Program
Sometimes, affording prescription medicines can be difficult. That's why, over 50 years ago, Merck created our U.S. Patient Assistance Program to help keep affordable medicines within patients' reach. Today, hundreds of thousands of patients without prescription drug coverage receive free medicines through this program each year. In 2007, we provided free medicines to fill more than 1.5 million prescriptions for uninsured Americans in need.
U.S. Patient Assistance Program: Eligibility
- Reside in the United States and have a prescription for a Merck medicine from a U.S.-licensed physician
- Do not have insurance or other coverage for their prescription medicines
- Have a household income below $20,240 for individuals, $27,380 for couples and $41,300 for a family of four.
- Under special circumstances, patients with income in excess of these amounts can request from their physician that an exception be made
The Merck U.S. Patient Assistance Program provides medicine free of charge to eligible individuals on a confidential basis who do not have prescription drug coverage and who could not otherwise afford needed Merck medicines without assistance. The program has a simple enrollment process and offers free delivery of medicines for qualified applicants to their home or doctor's office. A single application may provide for up to one year of medicine free of charge to eligible individuals and an individual may reapply as many times as needed.
For more information on our U.S. Patient Assistance Program and how you can apply, click here.
Merck Prescription Discount Program
The Merck Prescription Discount Program, launched in April 2005, is designed to benefit the more than 46 million uninsured in the United States. The program offers easy and immediate access to discounts of at least 15 percent on many Merck medicines to all uninsured patients, regardless of age or income. Enrollment is free and there is no annual membership fee. The Merck Prescription Discount Program is available at most U.S. pharmacies. It should be noted that discounts offered through the Merck Prescription Discount Program card are not insurance and are not intended to substitute for insurance.
The Merck Prescription Discount Program offers uninsured patients two ways to save. This first option is an innovative Instant Savings Certificate that qualifying patients can present to their pharmacist along with a valid prescription and immediately save at least 10 percent on many Merck prescriptions. The certificates are available in participating pharmacies, doctors' offices, clinics, churches and community centers free of charge. Patients also can print out Instant Savings Certificates at www.MerckHelps.com.
To obtain even greater savings of at least 15 percent, patients can enroll in the Merck Prescription Discount Program. When patients enroll over the phone or web, they will receive an active membership ID that they can use right away at their local pharmacy to receive greater discounts without having to wait for their permanent membership card. They will receive their permanent Merck discount card in the mail within two weeks. Once enrolled, they can present their card with their prescription at most U.S. pharmacies.
To learn more about the Merck Prescription Discount Program or to apply, click here or visit www.MerckHelps.com.
Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program
Launched in 2006, the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program offers a private and confidential program that provides Merck’s adult vaccines free of charge to uninsured adults age 19 or older who cannot afford their vaccines.
Eligibility:
Adults who have no health insurance coverage and a limited income (an annual household income that is less than $20,240 for individuals, $27,380 for couples and $41,300 for a family of four) are eligible for the program. Individuals who do not meet these criteria may still qualify for the vaccine program if the patient has special circumstances of financial and medical hardship, provided their income is not above a set limit.
For more information on the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program, visit www.MerckHelps.com
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Merck also participates in the pharmaceutical industry initiative Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). The Partnership brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, as well as doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups to help low-income, uninsured patients get free or nearly free brand-name medicines. PPA does this by offering one place - a single Web site - that provides information and access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies like Merck.
Merck's participation in PPA underscores the Company's commitment to helping the uninsured gain access to Merck medicines. The Merck Prescription Discount Program and the Merck Patient Assistant Program are both available through the PPA.
To learn more about the Partnership for Prescription Access, visit www.pparx.org.
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