Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question:

New York Subscriber

You'll need to take the NDC (National Drug Code) from the package or purchase invoice to be sure you're using the proper code for the specific drug (and strength, package type, dosage form, etc.) administered.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers an online searchable database (www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ucm142438.htm). But you will need a lot of information in the documentation to be able to choose the proper NDC, even if you have a brand name. For example, if you search for "Aranesp" (a possibility for J0881, Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram [non-ESRD use]), you'll see 46 listings. Or if you search darbepoetin alfa, you'll see 48 listings.