Answers to frequently asked questions appear below. The questions are grouped by category to make your search
easier.
1. What is MerckHelps™?
MerckHelps™ is the name for our suite of patient assistance programs offered by the Merck Patient Assistance Program, Inc. These programs provide certain Merck medicines and adult vaccines free of charge to people who do not have prescription drug or health insurance coverage and who, without our assistance, cannot afford their Merck medicines. This approach is consistent with Merck's long-held values and traditions of putting patients first.
If you or someone you know needs help paying for medicines or adult vaccines, the Merck Patient Assistance Program, Inc., may be able to help.
2. Are the MerckHelps™ programs free?
Yes, the MerckHelps™ programs are free. Medicines and adult vaccines distributed through the Merck Patient Assistance Programs (Merck PAP) are free of charge to all eligible patients. Merck PAP is not associated with any individuals or organizations that may charge patients a fee to assist them in completing enrollment forms for our programs. These individuals or organizations are acting independently of Merck PAP, and do not have Merck PAP's consent.
3. How do I obtain an enrollment form (application) for a program?
Your health care provider may have an enrollment form (application). You also can obtain an application form for the Merck Patient Assistance Program by calling us at 1-800-727-5400 or by simply downloading an enrollment form from the PRODUCTS page of this site.
To see a video on how to fill out the enrollment form for Merck medicines or vaccines included in the program, click here.
4. How do I qualify for the program?
Information on program eligibility criteria is located on the PRODUCTS page of this website, by selecting the specific, applicable product listed.
For further information, you may contact us by calling 1-800-727-5400 during regular business hours of 8 AM – 8 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
5. What documentation is required to apply for help?
A completed enrollment form, signed by the patient and physician/prescriber, must be mailed or faxed to the Merck Patient Assistance Program. Some programs may require income verification. Please note, the program reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and to request documentation to verify the information provided in the application.
6. How do I send in my enrollment form (application)?
Information on how to send your enrollment form depends on which program you are applying to and is available on MerckHelps.com. Information also is listed on the enrollment form for each program.
The Merck Patient Assistance Program is a mail-in program. The enrollment form should be completed, signed, and mailed to: Merck Patient Assistance Program, PO Box 690, Horsham, PA 19044-9979.
The Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program is a fax-in program. The enrollment form for the Vaccine Patient Assistance Program should be completed, signed, and faxed to 800-528-2551.
7. How will I know my enrollment form (application) was received?
You can choose to receive an email notifying you that the Patient Assistance Program received your enrollment form by providing your email address on the enrollment form.
8. How long will it take for my medication to arrive, after my enrollment form (application) has been approved?
If your enrollment form is fully completed and signed, and you are eligible, you may receive your medication in fewer than 10 business days. Shipment times may vary if your enrollment form is not complete, or if additional information is required.
If you provided a cell phone number on your enrollment form, you will receive a text message notifying you that your medicine has shipped, and a shipment tracking number to help estimate a delivery day. You can opt out at any time.
9. What if I need my medicine right away?
If you need an expedited request for the medicine your health care provider prescribed for you, please call 1-800-727-5400, and a program representative will help you.
10. How long will it take to receive my medication, after I request a refill?
Our pharmacy dispenses refills within one day of receiving a request. We ship refills by UPS ground, which will take 1 to 5 business days to arrive, depending on your location. For refrigerated medications, your product will be shipped by UPS Next Day Air.
Also, if you provided a cell phone number on your enrollment form, you will receive a text message notifying you that your medicine has shipped, and a shipment tracking number to help estimate a delivery day. You can opt out at any time.
11. When does my enrollment expire/end?
Enrollment in the Merck Patient Assistance Program covers the period of twelve (12) months from your date of enrollment. If you have government insurance, Medicare Part D, your enrollment will end at the end of the current calendar year. Merck PAP will provide you information on re-enrollment with your last fill, before your enrollment end-date.
For the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program and the Hospital Product Replacement Program, enrollment expires after the first product use. You will need to submit a new, separate enrollment form for each vaccine and/or hospital product needed.
12. Can the Merck Patient Assistance Program help me access a product coupon or help with my co-pay/out-of-pocket costs?
No. The Merck Patient Assistance Program is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that operates separately and independently from Merck's commercial/marketing offerings. For additional information, please visit patient support programs on the Merck.com website, at this link:
www.merck.com/patients/patient-financial-assistance/
13. Does the Merck Patient Assistance Program secure their patient information?
Yes. Patient information is only shared with the Merck Patient Assistance Program and its affiliates, as noted on the enrollment form.
Please see our Privacy Policy.
1. What is the Merck Patient Assistance Program?
The Merck Patient Assistance Program provides certain Merck medicines free of charge to people who do not have prescription drug or health insurance coverage and who, without our assistance, cannot afford their Merck medicines. The program's purpose is consistent with Merck's long-held values and traditions of putting patients first.
If you or someone you know needs help paying for medicines or adult vaccines, the Merck Patient Assistance Program, Inc., may be able to help.
To learn more about the program, click here to read the full brochure.
2. How do I obtain an enrollment form (application) for the program?
Your health care provider may have an enrollment form. You may also obtain an enrollment form by calling the Merck Patient Assistance Program at 1-800-727-5400, or by simply downloading an enrollment form (application) by clicking here.
To see a video on how to fill out the enrollment form, click here.
To download a checklist for completing the enrollment form, click here.
3. How do I qualify for the program?
Information about the program's eligibility criteria is noted on the individual Product page links, found on the PRODUCTS tab of this website.
4. What documentation is required to apply for the Merck Patient Assistance Program?
A completed enrollment form, signed by the patient and physician/prescriber, must be mailed to the Merck Patient Assistance Program. Additional supporting documentation is not required at this time. Please note, the program reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and to request documentation to verify the information provided in the application.
5. How do I send in my enrollment form (application) to the Merck Patient Assistance Program?
The Merck Patient Assistance Program is a mail-in program. The enrollment form should be mailed to: Merck Patient Assistance Program, PO Box 690, Horsham, PA 19044-9979.
6. How will I know my enrollment form (application) was received?
You can choose to receive an email notifying you that the Merck Patient Assistance Program received your enrollment form by providing your email address on the form.
7. How long will it take for my enrollment form (application) to be processed and approved?
If the enrollment form is fully completed and signed, and you are eligible, the Merck Patient Assistance Program can typically process your enrollment form in less than 7 business days.
Time frames may vary if your enrollment form is not complete, or if additional information is required.
8. How long will it take for my medication to arrive, after my application has been approved?
If your enrollment form is fully completed and signed, and you are eligible, you may receive your medication in fewer than 10 business days. Shipment times may vary if your enrollment form is not complete, or if additional information is required.
If you provided a cell phone number on your enrollment form, you will receive a text message notifying you that your medicine has shipped, and a shipment tracking number to help estimate a delivery day. You can opt out at any time.
9. What if I need my medicine right away?
If you need an expedited request for the medicine your health care provider prescribed for you, please call 1-800-727-5400, and a program representative will help you.
10. How will I receive the medication?
The medications are dispensed and shipped by the Merck Patient Assistance Program pharmacy. The medications can be delivered to a patient's home or doctor's office. For most medications, each shipment will provide the patient with a 3-month supply. Patients must notify the program to request refills.
11. How long will it take to receive my medication, after I request a refill?
Our pharmacy dispenses refills within one day of receiving a request. We ship refills by UPS ground, which will take 1 to 5 business days to arrive, depending on your location. For refrigerated medications, our pharmacy ships UPS Next Day Air.
12. Will I be able to receive information on the status of my product shipment, including tracking information?
Yes. If you included a cell phone number on your enrollment form, the Merck PAP pharmacy will send you a text letting you know your medication has shipped and providing you a tracking number to help estimate delivery. You can opt out at any time.
13. Is there a patient portal where I can request my refills and see how many refills I have remaining on my prescription?
Yes. You may sign up at any time on the MerckHelps.com patient portal to request refills. Just call 888-PAP-1618 (888-727-1618) for help getting started.
14. When does my enrollment expire/end?
Enrollment in the Merck Patient Assistance Program covers the period of twelve (12) months from your date of enrollment. If you have government insurance, Medicare Part D, your enrollment will end at the end of the current calendar year. Merck PAP will provide you information on re-enrollment with your last fill, before your enrollment end-date.
15. Does a new enrollment form (application) need to be submitted if there are no refills remaining or if there is a dose change?
Generally, a new enrollment form would not need to be submitted, but each circumstance may be different. For most products, you do not need a new enrollment form, and you also do not need a new enrollment form if the prescribed dose for your medication has changed. Circumstances and medications may vary. Please call us at 1-800-727-5400 for guidance.
If you want to enroll for a new or additional medication, you and your doctor will have to complete and sign a new enrollment form and submit that form to the Merck Patient Assistance Program.
16. What if the patient is unable to sign the enrollment form (application)?
Please call us at 1-800-727-5400 (during regular business hours, 8 AM – 8 PM ET, Monday through Friday) for guidance.
17. Will I be charged for the medication?
No, you will not be charged. Medicines distributed through the Merck Patient Assistance Program (Merck PAP) are free of charge to all eligible patients. Merck PAP is not associated with any individuals or organizations that may charge patients a fee to assist them in completing enrollment forms for our programs. These individuals or organizations are acting independently of Merck PAP, and do not have Merck PAP's consent. Merck PAP is not insurance.
18. Can the Merck Patient Assistance Program help me access a product coupon or help with my co-pay/out-of-pocket costs?
No. The Merck Patient Assistance Program is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that operates separately and independently from Merck's commercial/marketing offerings. For additional information, please visit patient support programs on the Merck.com website, at this link:
www.merck.com/patients/patient-financial-assistance/
19. Does the Merck Patient Assistance Program secure their patient information?
Yes, patient information is only shared with the Merck Patient Assistance Program and its affiliates, as noted on the enrollment form.
Please see our Privacy Policy.
1. What is the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program?
The Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program provides certain Merck adult vaccines free of charge to people who do not have prescription drug or health insurance coverage and who, without our assistance, cannot afford their Merck medicines. The program's purpose is consistent with Merck's long-held values and traditions of putting patients first.
If you or someone you know needs help paying for Merck medicines or adult vaccines, the Merck Patient Assistance Program, Inc., may be able to help.
To learn more about the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program, click here to read the full brochure.
2. How do I obtain an enrollment form (application) for the program?
Your health care professional may have enrollment forms. You may also obtain an enrollment form for the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program by calling us at 800-293-3881, or simply downloading an enrollment form via this website, MerckHelps.com, by clicking here.
3. How do I qualify for the program?
Information on the program's eligibility criteria is noted on each product page included on this website.
4. How do I submit my enrollment form (application) to the program?
Complete all fields on the enrollment form. The patient and their health care provider must sign the form in all designated areas. The health care provider faxes the completed enrollment form to the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance team. The team determines if the patient is eligible for donated product.
The Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance team will notify the health care provider, within 10 minutes, whether the patient is approved for donated product.
5. What documentation is required to apply for the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program?
The Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program requires program applicants to either allow the Program to verify their income eligibility electronically or provide the Program with documentation verifying their income eligibility or provide the Program with any ONE of the documents listed below to verify their income eligibility:
- Most recent 1040 Federal Tax Form
- One month of pay stubs, prior to application date
- Social Security Benefits Letter
- Veteran Benefits Letter
- Unemployment Benefit Statement
- Disability Statement
- Pension Letter
- Letter from an employer
Please note, the program reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and to request documentation to verify the information provided in the enrollment form.
6. What if the patient is unable to sign the enrollment form (application)?
Please contact us by calling 1-800-727-5400 (during regular business hours of 8 AM – 8 PM ET, Monday through Friday) for guidance.
7. How long will it take for my enrollment form (application) to be processed and approved?
PAP intends to process enrollment forms in 10 minutes or less, after receiving a completed enrollment form. A completed enrollment form must have all fields filled-in, all signature fields complete, and the patient's authorization for PAP to conduct an electronic income authorization, or include any ONE of the supporting income documents listed above in Q. 5.
Health care professionals will be notified by phone if the patient is determined eligible to receive the Merck vaccine for facility replacement. We understand that patients who elect to verify income eligibility by using one of the documents listed above may have to return to the health care facility with that document in order to complete and fax their application.
8. Does the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program secure their patient information?
Yes, patient information is only shared with the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program and their affiliates, as noted on the enrollment form.
Please see our Privacy Policy.
9. Will I be charged for the medication?
No, you will not be charged. Adult vaccines distributed through the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program (Merck VPAP) are free of charge to all eligible patients. Merck VPAP is not associated with any individuals or organizations that may charge patients a fee to assist them in completing enrollment forms for our program. These individuals or organizations are acting independently of Merck VPAP, and do not have Merck VPAP's consent. Merck VPAP is not insurance.