C49.3: Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of thorax

C49.3, malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of thorax, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 11 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 75 HCPCS Level II codes, including C9726 (Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into…), J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)), J0885 (Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units). 4 of these codes have a 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule amount; E0783 pays $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU) depending on the state. 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 C49.3 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
C9726Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into breast for intraoperative radiation therapy, add-on to primary breast procedureSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J0881Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)Special coverage instructions apply—3
J0885Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
Q5106Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for non-esrd use), 1000 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
J0882Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—3
Q5105Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for esrd on dialysis), 100 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
J0890Injection, peginesatide, 0.1 mg (for esrd on dialysis)Carrier judgment—3
Q4081Injection, epoetin alfa, 100 units (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—3
J0888Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use)Special coverage instructions apply—2
J0887Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—2
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—2
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—2
Q5129Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5126Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5118Injection, bevacizumab-bvzr, biosimilar, (zirabev), 10 mgCarrier judgment—1
Q5107Injection, bevacizumab-awwb, biosimilar, (mvasi), 10 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J9035Injection, bevacizumab, 10 mgCarrier judgment—1
J3590Unclassified biologicsCarrier judgment—1
C9257Injection, bevacizumab, 0.25 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q5160Injection, bevacizumab-nwgd (jobevne), biosimilar, 10 mgCarrier judgment—1
J9267Injection, paclitaxel, 1 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J9264Injection, paclitaxel protein-bound particles, 1 mgCarrier judgment—1
J0461Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J0153Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any adenosine phosphate compounds)Special coverage instructions apply—1
J1250Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1

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

Medicare policy articles listing C49.3

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 C49 diagnoses (Malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover C49.3 (Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of thorax)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 11 Medicare billing and coding articles list C49.3 as a covered diagnosis for 75 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 C49.3?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are C9726 (Placement and removal (if performed) of applicator into…, 1 article); J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use), 3 articles); J0885 (Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units, 3 articles); Q5106 (Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for…, 3 articles); J0882 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on…, 3 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with C49.3?

Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule (non-rural state fees): E0783 $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU); E0786 $10,969.75 to $11,380.88 (NU); E0782 $5,200.92 to $6,118.73 (NU); E0785 $572.38 to $673.39 (KF). Medicare pays 80% of the allowed amount after the Part B deductible.

Which Medicare policy articles list C49.3?

A56684 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Radiation Therapy); A52370 (Billing and Coding: Bevacizumab and biosimilars); A52450 (Billing and Coding: Paclitaxel (e.g., Taxol®/Abraxane ™)), and 8 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code C49.3?

C49.3 is the ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of thorax, in category C49 (Malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue), 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