C77.3: Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes

C77.3, secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 9 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 65 HCPCS Level II codes, including J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)), J0885 (Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units), Q5106 (Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for…). 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 C77.3 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
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
G0279Diagnostic digital breast tomosynthesis, unilateral or bilateral (list separately in addition to 77065 or 77066)Carrier judgment—1
C8903Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast, breast; unilateralSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8905Magnetic resonance imaging without contrast followed by with contrast, breast; unilateralSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8906Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast, breast; bilateralSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
C8908Magnetic resonance imaging without contrast followed by with contrast, breast; bilateralSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
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
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
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
J0280Injection, aminophyllin, up to 250 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
J1245Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mgSpecial 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

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

Medicare policy articles listing C77.3

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 C77 diagnoses (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover C77.3 (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and…)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 9 Medicare billing and coding articles list C77.3 as a covered diagnosis for 65 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 C77.3?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are 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); Q5105 (Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for…, 3 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with C77.3?

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 C77.3?

A56448 (Billing and Coding: Breast Imaging Mammography/Breast Echography (Sonography)/Breast MRI/Ductography); A59350 (Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies); A58982 (Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents), and 6 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code C77.3?

C77.3 is the ICD-10-CM code for secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axilla and upper limb lymph nodes, in category C77 (Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes), 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