C72.9: Malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified
C72.9, malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 11 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 72 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…), Q0512 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…), Q0511 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…). 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 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 C72.9 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0453 | Continuous 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 |
| Q0512 | Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for a subsequent prescription in a 30-day period | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| Q0511 | Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic or immunosuppressive drug(s); for the first prescription in a 30-day period | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| Q5129 | Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5126 | Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5118 | Injection, bevacizumab-bvzr, biosimilar, (zirabev), 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q5107 | Injection, bevacizumab-awwb, biosimilar, (mvasi), 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J9035 | Injection, bevacizumab, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J3590 | Unclassified biologics | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| C9257 | Injection, bevacizumab, 0.25 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q5160 | Injection, bevacizumab-nwgd (jobevne), biosimilar, 10 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J0461 | Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0153 | Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any adenosine phosphate compounds) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1250 | Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0280 | Injection, aminophyllin, up to 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1245 | Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8999 | Prescription drug, oral, chemotherapeutic, nos | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8530 | Cyclophosphamide; oral, 25 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8597 | Antiemetic drug, oral, not otherwise specified | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8610 | Methotrexate; oral, 2.5 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J8498 | Antiemetic drug, rectal/suppository, not otherwise specified | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0881 | Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0885 | Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q5106 | Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for non-esrd use), 1000 units | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0882 | Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on dialysis) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
47 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.
Medicare policy articles listing C72.9
- A52370: Billing and Coding: Bevacizumab and biosimilars (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 8 Level II codes)
- A57604: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34623, L35003
- A56722: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing (Novitas Solutions, Inc. (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34623, L35003
- A54768: Billing and Coding: Cardiac Blood Pool Imaging (Multiple Gated Acquisition Scanning- MUGA, Ventriculography) When Performed in Conjunction with Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes)
- A52479: Oral Anticancer Drugs - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC); 8 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33826
- A56462: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA) (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 7 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34356
- A56748: Billing and Coding: White Cell Colony Stimulating Factors (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 16 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L37176
- A52480: Oral Antiemetic Drugs (Replacement for Intravenous Antiemetics) - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC); 19 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33827
- A57668: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A56619: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A56695: Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33461
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)
- C72.0 — Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord
- C72.1 — Malignant neoplasm of cauda equina
- C72.20 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified olfactory nerve
- C72.21 — Malignant neoplasm of right olfactory nerve
- C72.22 — Malignant neoplasm of left olfactory nerve
- C72.30 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified optic nerve
- C72.31 — Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerve
- C72.32 — Malignant neoplasm of left optic nerve
- C72.40 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified acoustic nerve
- C72.41 — Malignant neoplasm of right acoustic nerve
- C72.42 — Malignant neoplasm of left acoustic nerve
- C72.50 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve
- C72.59 — Malignant neoplasm of other cranial nerves
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover C72.9 (Malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 11 Medicare billing and coding articles list C72.9 as a covered diagnosis for 72 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 C72.9?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0453 (Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from…, 2 articles); Q0512 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…, 2 articles); Q0511 (Pharmacy supply fee for oral anti-cancer, oral anti-emetic…, 2 articles); Q5129 (Injection, bevacizumab-adcd (vegzelma), biosimilar, 10 mg, 1 article); Q5126 (Injection, bevacizumab-maly, biosimilar, (alymsys), 10 mg, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with C72.9?
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 C72.9?
A52370 (Billing and Coding: Bevacizumab and biosimilars); A57604 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing); A56722 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing), and 8 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code C72.9?
C72.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified, in category C72 (Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system), chapter 2: Neoplasms.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0453
- Watch G0453 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0453
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.