National Drug Codes are unique identifiers to identify medications in the United States. Each National Drug Code, or NDC, is composed of 10 digits, broken into three segments. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other payers may require an NDC composed in an 11-digit format for billing and other purposes. A leading zero is added to a 10-digit code in this case.
The Three Segments of National Drug Codes
The three segments of an NDC identify the product’s labeler, the product itself, and the commercial package size.
Labeler Segment
The first segment identifies the medication’s labeler, which could be a drug manufacturer, repackager, or distributor.
Product Segment
The second segment features the product code, which identifies the drug’s strength, dosage form (capsule, tablet, etc.), and the labeler’s formulation.
Package Segment
The third and final segment is the package code, which is used to identify the package size and type.
The possible combinations of digits in an NDC are 4-4-2, 5-3-2, or 5-4-1. This means there are possibly four or five digitals for the labeler segment, three or four for the product segment, and one or two digits for the packaging segment.
The NDC Directory
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains the National Drug Code Directory, a database of all NDCs for finished, unfinished, and compounded medication products available in the US.
The NDC Directory is updated regularly and includes all FDA-authorized human drugs available for sale in the US. If a product is not listed in the directory, it could be an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, an insulin product, or not a prescription drug.
Once a manufacturer has notified the FDA that a product is no longer commercially available, it is removed from the NDC Directory.
How TempDev Can Help With National Drug Codes
TempDev's team of NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers support your needs whether you're looking to implement, switch, or even upgrade your current EHR system. From dashboards and revenue cycle consulting to automation and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the tools you need to make the most of your NextGen EHR system, with top tips and tricks that will ensure your success now and in the future.
With TempDev's NextGen dashboards, templates, and reports, you can better support your patients' needs. Our team is here to help you design, organize, and implement the whole system and is on hand to offer tips and guidance based on industry best practices.
Contact us here or by calling us at 888.TEMP.DEV to get the help you need to work with National Drug Codes in your EHR or with medical billing.
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