B45.1: Cerebral cryptococcosis
B45.1, cerebral cryptococcosis, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 7 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 16 HCPCS Level II codes, including U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…), U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…), G0238 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function…). The articles come from 4 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with B45.1 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U0002 | 2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdc | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| U0001 | Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr diagnostic panel | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| G0238 | Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function, other than described by g0237, one on one, face to face, per 15 minutes (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0237 | Therapeutic procedures to increase strength or endurance of respiratory muscles, face to face, one on one, each 15 minutes (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0239 | Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function or increase strength or endurance of respiratory muscles, two or more individuals (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| A9585 | Injection, gadobutrol, 0.1 ml | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q9953 | Injection, iron-based magnetic resonance contrast agent, per ml | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| G2187 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: head trauma | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2188 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new or change in headache above 50 years of age | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2189 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: abnormal neurologic exam | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2190 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: headache radiating to the neck | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2191 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: positional headaches | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2192 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: temporal headaches in patients over 55 years of age | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2193 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pre-school children or younger (<6 years of age) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2194 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: new onset headache in pediatric patients with disabilities for which headache is a concern as inferred from behavior | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2195 | Patients with clinical indications for imaging of the head: occipital headache in children | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing B45.1
- A58710: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58720: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58761: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58747: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A57224: Billing and Coding: Respiratory Care (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34149
- A57206: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34220
- A56612: Billing and Coding: CT of the Head (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34417
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other B45 diagnoses (Cryptococcosis)
- B45.0 — Pulmonary cryptococcosis
- B45.3 — Osseous cryptococcosis
- B45.7 — Disseminated cryptococcosis
- B45.8 — Other forms of cryptococcosis
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover B45.1 (Cerebral cryptococcosis)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 7 Medicare billing and coding articles list B45.1 as a covered diagnosis for 16 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 B45.1?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…, 4 articles); U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…, 4 articles); G0238 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function…, 1 article); G0237 (Therapeutic procedures to increase strength or endurance…, 1 article); G0239 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function or…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list B45.1?
A58710 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing); A58720 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing); A58761 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing), and 4 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code B45.1?
B45.1 is the ICD-10-CM code for cerebral cryptococcosis, in category B45 (Cryptococcosis), chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under U0002
- Watch U0002 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for U0002
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup