N18.5: Chronic kidney disease, stage 5

N18.5, chronic kidney disease, stage 5, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 14 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 28 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0127 (Trimming of dystrophic nails, any number), J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)), J0885 (Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units). The articles come from 7 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 N18.5 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
G0127Trimming of dystrophic nails, any numberSpecial coverage instructions apply—7
J0881Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use)Special coverage instructions apply—4
J0885Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—4
Q5106Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for non-esrd use), 1000 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—4
J0882Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—4
Q5105Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for esrd on dialysis), 100 unitsSpecial coverage instructions apply—4
J0890Injection, peginesatide, 0.1 mg (for esrd on dialysis)Carrier judgment—4
Q4081Injection, epoetin alfa, 100 units (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—4
J0888Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for non esrd use)Special coverage instructions apply—3
J0887Injection, epoetin beta, 1 microgram, (for esrd on dialysis)Special coverage instructions apply—3
C8900Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8901Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8902Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, abdomenSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8909Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—3
C8910Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—3
C8911Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, chest (excluding myocardium)Special coverage instructions apply—3
C8912Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8913Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8914Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, lower extremitySpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8918Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8919Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8920Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, pelvisSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
C8931Magnetic resonance angiography with contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—2
C8932Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—2
C8933Magnetic resonance angiography without contrast followed by with contrast, spinal canal and contentsSpecial coverage instructions apply—2

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

Medicare policy articles listing N18.5

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 N18 diagnoses (Chronic kidney disease (CKD))

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover N18.5 (Chronic kidney disease, stage 5)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 14 Medicare billing and coding articles list N18.5 as a covered diagnosis for 28 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 N18.5?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0127 (Trimming of dystrophic nails, any number, 7 articles); J0881 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (non-esrd use), 4 articles); J0885 (Injection, epoetin alfa, (for non-esrd use), 1000 units, 4 articles); Q5106 (Injection, epoetin alfa-epbx, biosimilar, (retacrit) (for…, 4 articles); J0882 (Injection, darbepoetin alfa, 1 microgram (for esrd on…, 4 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list N18.5?

A57759 (Billing and Coding: Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nails); A56795 (Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs)); A57954 (Billing and Coding: Routine Foot Care), and 11 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code N18.5?

N18.5 is the ICD-10-CM code for chronic kidney disease, stage 5, in category N18 (Chronic kidney disease (CKD)), chapter 14: Diseases of the genitourinary system.

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 14: Diseases of the genitourinary system · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup