Enroll yourself and your dependents

As a U.S.-based employee, (U.S. expat), you are eligible for U.S. benefits (where permissible) except for medical (including prescription drug), dental and vision plan coverage. Your coverage for these is provided through Cigna Global Health Benefits (Cigna). 

• If you and your eligible dependents are currently enrolled in the U.S. medical plan, you and your eligible dependents will be automatically enrolled in Cigna. 
• If you elected the “No Coverage” option in the U.S. medical plan, but now would like Cigna coverage for you and/or your eligible dependents, you must enroll yourself and your dependents. You will receive an email from Fidelity up to four weeks after your assignment start date. You have up to 30 days after the email from Fidelity to enroll in or make changes to your Cigna coverage. 

To enroll in or make changes to your Cigna coverage, please contact the Merck Benefits Service Center at Fidelity (Benefits Service Center) within your initial 30-day enrollment period. Call 800-666-3725 or go to netbenefits.com/merck.

If you do not enroll in or make changes to your coverage within your initial 30-day enrollment period, you will not have an opportunity to enroll or make changes until the next annual enrollment (usually in October), unless you have a qualified life event. If you miss the 30-day period, please contact Global Mobility for assistance.

If you or your dependent are no longer eligible for Cigna coverage, you must notify the Merck Benefits Service Center within 30 days of the event taking place. If you fail to notify the Benefits Service Center, you may be required to reimburse the company for premiums paid or coverage provided.

Annual enrollment occurs each year during October. You will be notified by email when annual enrollment begins, and you will receive information on benefits available to you, any upcoming changes to benefits and instructions on how to enroll or update your coverage elections.

Note: You are not required to re-enroll in Cigna coverage each year (after your initial enrollment).

During annual enrollment, you can make changes to Cigna coverage for yourself and your eligible dependents, as well as other home country benefits, including disability, life insurance and your flexible spending account (FSA).

To enroll or make changes to your benefits coverage, please contact the Benefits Service Center at 800-666-3725 or go to netbenefits.com/merck.

Note: If you or a dependent is no longer eligible for Cigna coverage, you must notify the Benefits Service Center within 30 days. If you fail to notify the Benefits Service Center, you may be required to reimburse the company for premiums paid or coverage provided.

If you experience a life event change during the year (marriage, birth, adoption, etc.), you may make changes to your benefits coverage to reflect the type of life event (for example, enroll your new spouse). You must make this change within 30 days of the event. Call the Benefits Service Center or go to netbenefits.com/merck.

Here’s a list of global contact information so you can access support and guidance when you need it.