C72.50: Malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve

C72.50, malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 7 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 40 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…), G0340 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…), G0339 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…). The articles come from 5 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 C72.50 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
G0453Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from outside the operating room (remote or nearby), per patient, (attention directed exclusively to one patient) each 15 minutes (list in addition to primary procedure)Carrier judgment—2
G0340Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery, delivery including collimator changes and custom plugging, fractionated treatment, all lesions, per session, second through fifth sessions, maximum five sessions per course of treatmentCarrier judgment—1
G0339Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery, complete course of therapy in one session or first session of fractionated treatmentCarrier judgment—1
G0563Stereotactic body radiation therapy, treatment delivery, per fraction to 1 or more lesions, including image guidance and real-time positron emissions-based delivery adjustments to 1 or more lesions, entire course not to exceed 5 fractionsCarrier judgment—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
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
Q0162Ondansetron 1 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 48 hour dosage regimenSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J8540Dexamethasone, oral, 0.25 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
Q0166Granisetron hydrochloride, 1 mg, oral, fda approved prescription anti-emetic, for use as a complete therapeutic substitute for an iv anti-emetic at the time of chemotherapy treatment, not to exceed a 24 hour dosage regimenSpecial coverage instructions apply—1

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

Medicare policy articles listing C72.50

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 C72 diagnoses (Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover C72.50 (Malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 7 Medicare billing and coding articles list C72.50 as a covered diagnosis for 40 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 C72.50?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…, 2 articles); G0340 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…, 1 article); G0339 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…, 1 article); G0563 (Stereotactic body radiation therapy, treatment delivery…, 1 article); Q5110 (Injection, filgrastim-aafi, biosimilar, (nivestym), 1…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list C72.50?

A56874 (Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)); A57604 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing); A56722 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing), and 4 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code C72.50?

C72.50 is the ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve, in category C72 (Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system), 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