Program Details for Merck

Overview

Who can use this benefit?

Merck’s Backup Care Program is available to all U.S.-based, active, full-time and part-time employees. Contract employees are not eligible. When you create your backup care account, you may be prompted to provide your Merck employee ID number (WIN) to verify your eligibility.

What’s included in this benefit?

As an eligible Merck employee, you are able to use up to 10 backup care days per dependent per calendar year.

Important details:

• Definition of a day: up to 10 hours of care booked in one day. Care in excess of 10 hours in a day will be counted as two or more backup care days.
• Consecutive day usage: No more than three consecutive days can be booked at a time.
• Types of care: Summer camps are ineligible under the program.
• Personal Network providers: Spouses, domestic partners, dependent children, and other Merck employees are ineligible Personal Network providers.

Costs and coverage:
If you use a Personal Network provider, the benefit will reimburse up to $100 per backup care day, which is considered taxable and reported back to Merck for withholding (see tax considerations below).

If you use a provider in Wellthy’s Care Network, you are responsible for the following copayments:

• Facility care: $40 per dependent per day, $80 family maximum
• In-home care: $4 per hour

Who can this benefit be used for?
Backup care can be used for your children or adult dependents. Adult dependent is defined as spouse or domestic partner, parent, in-laws, or special needs adult child.

Getting Started

Activate your Wellthy Account

1. You can sign up with your preferred email address and create a password of your choice.
2. If prompted, verify that you are an eligible employee by providing your Merck employee ID or WIN.

Tips for signing up

Have your Merck employee ID or WIN on hand, and if you think you’ll use this benefit at some point, register in advance to save time when you actually need care. Get ahead of emergencies and proactively:

• Search Wellthy’s Care Network for providers in your area
• Ask a Backup Care Specialist to search for you
• Add your Personal Network in the system to have on speed dial

How do I get in touch with Wellthy?

The Wellthy team is ready to support you!

• You can message our team on our digital platform, which is available 24 hours, 7 days/week.
• For backup care requests, Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week.

Wellthy Care Network and Providers

What kinds of providers will I find in Wellthy’s Care Network?

All types! Wellthy’s Care Network is designed to offer a wide range of solutions tailored to your unique situation:

• In-center care: Safe and vetted childcare centers
• Community-based programs: Trusted programs located in your neighborhood
• In-home providers: Professional caregivers who come to your home

How do I know that the providers in Wellthy’s Care Network are high-quality, safe, and reliable?

Wellthy’s Care Network of backup care options are vetted providers that go through a rigorous screening process.

Costs and Payments

How much is Backup Care?

Merck largely subsidizes the cost of backup care:

• Wellthy Care Network: care in a facility/center is $40 per dependent per day (family maximum of $80 per day). Generally, in-home care is $4 per hour.
• Personal Network: You can be reimbursed up to $100 per day for each dependent receiving care from providers in your Personal Network. Eligible reimbursements require proof of payment and are considered taxable.

Backup Care Allowance

What if I use up all of my Backup Care days for the year and I need more?

If you’ve used all your backup care days, you can still access Wellthy’s Care Network to find and book care—you’ll just pay the full cost out of pocket.

If I have Backup Care days left over at the end of the year, can I roll them over to the next year?

No, unused backup care days do not roll over. You’ll receive a new set of days each calendar year based on Merck’s program.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel care more than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time

• You will not be charged a Backup Care day use.
• You will be refunded for your copay if already charged.

If you need to cancel care less than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time

• You will be charged for one backup care day.

FAQs

Can Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists find and schedule backup care for me?

Yes! Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find and secure care when you need it. They can also proactively help you build a list of potential options for when the time comes.

What’s a Backup Care Circle?

A Backup Care Circle is a list of your family, friends, preferred and vetted providers. It's a great planning tool to turn to when you have to schedule an urgent or planned backup care need.