A memory device and method, such as a flash memory device and method, includes a memory having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells for storing stored values of user data. The memory device and method includes a memory controller for controlling the memory. The memory controller includes an encoder for encoding user write data for storage of code values as the stored values in the memory. The encoder includes an inserter for insertion of an indicator as part of the stored values for use in determining when the stored values are or are not in an erased state. The memory controller includes a decoder for reading the stored values from the memory to form user read data values when the stored values are not in the erased state.