C44.201: Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

C44.201, unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 3 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 26 HCPCS Level II codes, including J9267 (Injection, paclitaxel, 1 mg), J9264 (Injection, paclitaxel protein-bound particles, 1 mg), J8999 (Prescription drug, oral, chemotherapeutic, nos). The articles come from 3 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 C44.201 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
J9267Injection, paclitaxel, 1 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J9264Injection, paclitaxel protein-bound particles, 1 mgCarrier judgment—1
J8999Prescription drug, oral, chemotherapeutic, nosSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q0512Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for a subsequent prescription in a 30-day periodSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q0511Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for the first prescription in a 30-day periodSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J8530Cyclophosphamide; oral, 25 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J8597Antiemetic drug, oral, not otherwise specifiedSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J8610Methotrexate; oral, 2.5 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J8498Antiemetic drug, rectal/suppository, not otherwise specifiedSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5110Injection, filgrastim-aafi, biosimilar, (nivestym), 1 microgramSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5125Injection, filgrastim-ayow, biosimilar, (releuko), 1 microgramCarrier judgment—1
Q5101Injection, filgrastim-sndz, biosimilar, (zarxio), 1 microgramSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J1442Injection, filgrastim (g-csf), excludes biosimilars, 1 microgramSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J1449Injection, eflapegrastim-xnst, 0.1 mgCarrier judgment—1
J1447Injection, tbo-filgrastim, 1 microgramSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5108Injection, pegfilgrastim-jmdb (fulphila), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5111Injection, pegfilgrastim-cbqv (udenyca), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5127Injection, pegfilgrastim-fpgk (stimufend), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
J2506Injection, pegfilgrastim, excludes biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5122Injection, pegfilgrastim-apgf (nyvepria), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5130Injection, pegfilgrastim-pbbk (fylnetra), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
J2820Injection, sargramostim (gm-csf), 50 mcgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5120Injection, pegfilgrastim-bmez (ziextenzo), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5148Injection, filgrastim-txid (nypozi), biosimilar, 1 microgramSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5169Injection, pegfilgrastim-unne (armlupeg), biosimilar, 0.5 mgCarrier judgment—1

1 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.

Medicare policy articles listing C44.201

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 C44 diagnoses (Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover C44.201 (Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear…)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 3 Medicare billing and coding articles list C44.201 as a covered diagnosis for 26 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 C44.201?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are J9267 (Injection, paclitaxel, 1 mg, 1 article); J9264 (Injection, paclitaxel protein-bound particles, 1 mg, 1 article); J8999 (Prescription drug, oral, chemotherapeutic, nos, 1 article); Q0512 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…, 1 article); Q0511 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list C44.201?

A52450 (Billing and Coding: Paclitaxel (e.g., Taxol®/Abraxane ™)); A52479 (Oral Anticancer Drugs - Policy Article); A56748 (Billing and Coding: White Cell Colony Stimulating Factors).

What is ICD-10-CM code C44.201?

C44.201 is the ICD-10-CM code for unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal, in category C44 (Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin), chapter 2: Neoplasms.

Next steps

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 2: Neoplasms · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup