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M119 Remark Code: Missing, Invalid, or Inactive NDC

M119 means the National Drug Code (NDC) for a drug on the claim was missing, incomplete, invalid, deactivated, or withdrawn. The payer cannot price or verify the drug until you report a valid, active NDC in the correct format.

Quick facts

Code
M119 (RARC M119)
Status
Active In use since January 1, 1997; last modified April 1, 2007.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The drug line was not paid because of an NDC defect. The provider corrects and resubmits; the patient is not billed.
Official description
Missing/incomplete/invalid/ deactivated/withdrawn National Drug Code (NDC).
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What M119 means

The NDC identifies the exact drug product, labeler, and package. Payers use it to verify that the drug matches the HCPCS code billed, to price it, and for rebate programs. M119 is a broad remark covering five NDC problems: the NDC is missing, incomplete (wrong number of digits), invalid (not a real code), deactivated, or withdrawn.

This is typically a rejection under CARC 16, and the drug line can be paid once a valid NDC is sent.

Common causes

  • The NDC left off entirely for a physician-administered drug.
  • A 10-digit package NDC not converted to the 11-digit billing format.
  • Hyphens or spaces included where the format does not allow them.
  • A discontinued product still listed in the drug master.
  • The NDC of the wrong package size or a different manufacturer than the one used.
  • The NDC reported without the qualifier or unit of measure the payer expects.

How to fix it

  1. Find the NDC on the package actually used for the patient.
  2. Convert to 11 digits with a leading zero in the correct segment.
  3. Check its status in a current drug database to confirm it is active on the date of service.
  4. Report it with the qualifier, unit of measure, and quantity required.
  5. Resubmit, using frequency code 7 if the original claim was adjudicated.

How to prevent it

  • Maintain a drug master that stores 11-digit NDCs and updates when products change.
  • Capture the NDC at administration from the actual package used.
  • Use a Claims Validator to check NDC format and presence before submission.

See the CO-16 guide for related data rejections.

Codes that may appear with M119

  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): The claim lacks information, and M119 identifies the NDC.
  • CO-181 (Procedure code was invalid on the date of service.): The drug's HCPCS code was invalid on the date of service, sometimes seen alongside NDC problems.
  • M70 (Alert: The NDC code submitted for this service was translated to a HCPCS code for processing, but please continue to submit the NDC on future claims…): An alert that the NDC was translated to a HCPCS code, which needs no correction.
  • M123 (Missing/incomplete/invalid name, strength, or dosage of the drug furnished.): The drug name, strength, or dosage was missing or invalid.
  • M99 (Missing/incomplete/invalid Universal Product Number/Serial Number.): The device equivalent: a missing or invalid Universal Product Number or serial number.

M119 FAQ

What format does the NDC need?

Claims generally use an 11-digit NDC in a 5-4-2 format, without hyphens, often with a qualifier and unit of measure. Package NDCs with fewer digits need a leading zero in the right segment.

What does 'deactivated or withdrawn' mean?

The product listing is no longer active, for example discontinued or removed. Check the NDC of the actual vial or package used.

Do all payers require NDCs?

Many Medicaid programs and commercial payers require NDCs on physician-administered drugs. Medicare requirements vary by claim type. Follow each payer's rules.