D49.6: Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of brain
D49.6, neoplasm of unspecified behavior of brain, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 12 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 46 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0340 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…), G0339 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…), J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)). 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 6 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 D49.6 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0340 | Image-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 treatment | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0339 | Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery, complete course of therapy in one session or first session of fractionated treatment | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| J0881 | Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| J0885 | Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| Q5106 | Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for non-esrd use), 1000 units | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| J0882 | Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on dialysis) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| Q5105 | Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for esrd on dialysis), 100 units | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| J0890 | Injection, peginesatide, 0.1 mg (for esrd on dialysis) | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| Q4081 | Injection, epoetin alfa, 100 units (for esrd on dialysis) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 3 |
| 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 |
| G0563 | Stereotactic 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 fractions | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J0888 | Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| J0887 | Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for esrd on dialysis) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| J9267 | Injection, paclitaxel, 1 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J9264 | Injection, paclitaxel protein-bound particles, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| C8900 | Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, abdomen | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8901 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, abdomen | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8902 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, abdomen | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8909 | Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8910 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, chest (excluding myocardium) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8911 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8912 | Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, lower extremity | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8913 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, lower extremity | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8914 | Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, lower extremity | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8918 | Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, pelvis | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
21 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.
Medicare policy articles listing D49.6
- A56874: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L35076
- 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
- A52450: Billing and Coding: Paclitaxel (e.g., Taxol®/Abraxane ™) (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes)
- A59350: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L39553
- 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
- A56805: Billing and Coding: Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) (Novitas Solutions, Inc. (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 12 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33633, L34372, L34865
- A58982: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L39237
- 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
- A60381: Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L39237
- A57056: Billing and Coding: Aortography and Peripheral Angiography (First Coast Service Options, Inc. (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L36767
- A56695: Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33461
- A56612: Billing and Coding: CT of the Head (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34417
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 D49 diagnoses (Neoplasms of unspecified behavior)
- D49.0 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of digestive system
- D49.1 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of respiratory system
- D49.2 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bone, soft tissue, and skin
- D49.3 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of breast
- D49.4 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bladder
- D49.511 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of right kidney
- D49.512 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of left kidney
- D49.519 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of unspecified kidney
- D49.59 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of other genitourinary organ
- D49.7 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of endocrine glands and other parts…
- D49.81 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid
- D49.89 — Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of other specified sites
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover D49.6 (Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of brain)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 12 Medicare billing and coding articles list D49.6 as a covered diagnosis for 46 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 D49.6?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0340 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…, 2 articles); G0339 (Image-guided robotic linear accelerator-based stereotactic…, 2 articles); 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). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with D49.6?
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 D49.6?
A56874 (Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)); A57604 (Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing); A52450 (Billing and Coding: Paclitaxel (e.g., Taxol®/Abraxane ™)), and 9 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code D49.6?
D49.6 is the ICD-10-CM code for neoplasm of unspecified behavior of brain, in category D49 (Neoplasms of unspecified behavior), chapter 2: Neoplasms.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0340
- Watch G0340 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0340
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.