Merck offers the health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Participation in either account can save you money because deductions are made before federal and Social Security taxes, and, depending on where you live, state and local taxes, are withheld from your paycheck. Important: To participate in the health care FSA or dependent care FSA, you must actively enroll during annual enrollment each year.
You may contribute between $120 and $3,050 to your health care FSA and between $120 and $5,000 to your dependent care FSA annually.
Rollovers
Note: Contributions cannot be transferred between the health care and dependent care FSAs.
The following is a high-level summary of the Merck health care and dependent care FSAs. For details about the FSAs, including any exclusions and limitations that may apply, click here to access the plan documents.
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Health care FSA |
Dependent care FSA |
|
|---|---|---|
|
What it covers |
Eligible medical, pharmacy, dental and vision expenses for you and your eligible dependents |
Eligible day-care expenses for eligible dependents (children under age 13, adults who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care, etc.) that allow you or your spouse, if applicable, to work |
|
How much you can contribute |
Between $120 and $3,050 |
Between $120 and $5,000 |
|
When funds will be available |
Your full annual goal amount is available to use at the beginning of the calendar year, or when you are first eligible during the calendar year if you are a recent hire or experience a qualified life event. Contributions against your goal amount are deducted through payroll. |
Your dependent care funds are available to use from your account as your account balance builds from your paycheck deductions. You will be reimbursed for claims up to your current account balance. Any claims above your current account balance are held until your account is funded. |
|
Changes to contribution level during the year |
Only if you have a qualified life event |
|
|
When services must be rendered |
Between January 1 and December 31 |
|
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How to pay for expenses |
|
The debit card cannot be used for dependent care expenses; you will need to submit a claim for eligible expenses. |
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How to submit a claim |
Online:
By Mail:
By Fax:
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|
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Deadline to submit expenses |
April 15 following the plan year |
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|
Rollovers |
Up to $570 of unused 2023 funds rolled over to 2024. The maximum rollover amount from 2024 to 2025 will be $610. |
Unused funds do not roll over. |
For more information, visit Horizonblue.com/Merckfsa or see the Merck Flexible Spending Accounts SPD for additional details.
For a complete list of eligible expenses, see IRS Publication 502 (health care FSA) and IRS Publication 503 (dependent care FSA) on irs.gov.
Use the Health Care FSA for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental and vision expenses for you and your eligible dependents. For full details about eligible expenses, refer to IRS Publication 502 at irs.gov.
Use the Dependent Care FSA for eligible day-care expenses for eligible dependents, that allow you or your spouse to work. For full details about eligible dependent care expenses, refer to IRS Publication 503 at irs.gov.
