Converting a 10-digit NDC to the 11-digit billing format

NDCs on packages have 10 digits in one of three layouts, but billing systems use 11 digits (5-4-2). The fix is to add one leading zero to the segment that is short.

Method

Identify the layout: 4-4-2, 5-3-2 or 5-4-1.
4-4-2: add a zero to the front of the labeler segment.
5-3-2: add a zero to the front of the product segment.
5-4-1: add a zero to the front of the package segment.

Worked examples

Example 1

A package is labeled with the 10-digit NDC 7563-7592-13 (4-4-2 format). Which is the correct 11-digit (5-4-2) NDC for billing?

7563-7592-013
7563-7592-130
07563-7592-13
7563-07592-13

Show solution

The 10-digit NDC is in 4-4-2 format (labeler-product-package).
Billing uses 5-4-2: add a leading zero to the segment that is one digit short.
Labeler segment is short, so add a leading zero there: 07563-7592-13

Answer: 07563-7592-13

Example 2

A package is labeled with the 10-digit NDC 9243-3432-11 (4-4-2 format). Which is the correct 11-digit (5-4-2) NDC for billing?

92430-3432-11
09243-3432-11
9243-3432-011
9243-03432-11

Show solution

The 10-digit NDC is in 4-4-2 format (labeler-product-package).
Billing uses 5-4-2: add a leading zero to the segment that is one digit short.
Labeler segment is short, so add a leading zero there: 09243-3432-11

Answer: 09243-3432-11

Example 3

A package is labeled with the 10-digit NDC 83536-3314-6 (5-4-1 format). Which is the correct 11-digit (5-4-2) NDC for billing?

83536-3314-60
835360-3314-6
083536-3314-6
83536-3314-06

Show solution

The 10-digit NDC is in 5-4-1 format (labeler-product-package).
Billing uses 5-4-2: add a leading zero to the segment that is one digit short.
Package segment is short, so add a leading zero there: 83536-3314-06

Answer: 83536-3314-06

Tips

Never add the zero at the end. That creates a different product code.
The three segments are labeler, product and package.

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