CPT 24670 Proximal Ulna Splinting Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 24670: Closed Treatment of Proximal Ulna Fracture with Splint

CPT code 24670 covers closed treatment of a proximal ulnar fracture using splinting without manipulation. This code represents a common, nonoperative fracture-management procedure for injuries near the elbow and is important for billing consistency across emergency, urgent care, and outpatient orthopedic settings. Accurate use of the code ensures appropriate capture of nonoperative immobilization services and informs national utilization and cost reporting for upper-extremity fracture care.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for proximal ulnar fractures, the typical sites where splinting is performed, and the service type classification. The publication summarizes payer coverage considerations, common billing modifiers encountered with this service, and related coding practices where available. It also highlights benchmarks and policy updates relevant to fracture-care coding and documentation to support proper claim submission and reimbursement categorization.

The content is intended for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts seeking a national-level reference for CPT code 24670, its clinical application, and its role in nonoperative upper-extremity fracture management. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 24670fracture careulna fracturesplintingorthopedicsemergency careoutpatientbilling and coding

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 24670 describes closed treatment of a proximal ulnar shaft fracture (near the elbow) with the application of a splint to maintain fracture position without manipulation. The service focuses on nonoperative immobilization to support bone healing.

Typical site of service: Emergency department, urgent care, ambulatory surgery center, or outpatient orthopedics/hand clinic where initial fracture stabilization and splint application are performed.
Service type: Fracture care — closed treatment with splinting and immobilization.

Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 28-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a fall onto an outstretched hand while playing recreational sports. He reports immediate forearm pain and swelling near the elbow and is unable to actively rotate the forearm. Physical exam shows localized tenderness over the proximal ulna without neurovascular compromise. Plain radiographs confirm a non-displaced fracture of the proximal ulna (near the olecranon) without articular malalignment. The treating provider applies a well-padded posterior splint to immobilize the elbow and forearm in a functional position to maintain fracture alignment. The provider documents informed consent, the splint application procedure, neurovascular checks before and after immobilization, written and verbal home care instructions, and plans for orthopedic follow-up for repeat imaging and possible definitive care if displacement occurs.

Typical clinical workflow:

Initial assessment in ED or urgent care with history, focused physical exam, and neurovascular check.
Immobilization decision based on radiographs showing a stable, non-displaced proximal ulnar fracture.
Application of a splint (posterior or sugar-tong style) without manipulation or closed reduction.
Post-application neurovascular reassessment and documentation of patient education and follow-up.
Disposition: discharge with outpatient orthopedic follow-up or short observation if analgesia/monitoring needed.

Typical site of service: emergency department, urgent care clinic, or ambulatory orthopedic clinic.

Service type: splinting/immobilization for a closed, non-manipulated proximal ulnar fracture, consistent with management described by procedural code 24670.

CPT 24650: Closed Treatment of Proximal Radius Fracture with Splinting

CPT-24505-CLOSED-TREATMENT-HUMERAL-SHAFT-FRACTURE

CPT 24505: Closed Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fracture

CPT-24655-RADIAL-HEAD-NECK-FRACTURE-CLOSED-REDUCTION-SPLINTING

CPT 24655: Closed Reduction and Splinting of Radial Head/Neck Fracture

CPT-24600-CLOSED-REDUCTION-ELBOW-DISLOCATION

CPT 24600: Closed Reduction of Displaced Elbow Joint

CPT-24620-MONTEGGIA-FRACTURE-DISLOCATION-CLOSED-REDUCTION-SPLINTING

CPT 24620: Closed Reduction and Splinting of Monteggia Elbow Fracture

CPT-24666-RADIAL-HEAD-PROSTHESIS-OPEN-REPAIR

CPT 24666: Radial Head/Neck Prosthetic Replacement

CPT-24579-OPEN-TREATMENT-CONDYLE-HUMERUS-FRACTURE

CPT 24579: Open Treatment of Humeral Condyle Fracture

CPT-24500-HUMERAL-SHAFT-FRACTURE-NONOPERATIVE-TREATMENT

CPT 24500: Nonoperative Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fracture

CPT-24615-OPEN-REDUCTION-ELBOW-DISLOCATION-CAPSULE-REPAIR

CPT 24615: Open Reduction of Elbow Dislocation with Capsule Repair

CPT-24565-CLOSED-MANIPULATION-EPICONDYLE-FRACTURE-HUMERUS

CPT 24565: Closed Manipulation of Humeral Epicondyle Fracture

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Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure	Use when a distinct E/M visit is provided in addition to splinting, documented separately (e.g., ED evaluation with decision to splint).
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another distinct procedure or service occurring on the same day is unrelated to the splint application and must be distinguished.
`52`	Reduced services	Use if the splinting procedure was partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use if the planned splinting was started but discontinued due to patient instability or other complication.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider (note: `76` is not in provided list; use `78` for related scenario)	Data not available in the input.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by same physician following initial procedure for a complication	Use if the patient requires an unplanned return for reapplication or revision due to complication.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when bilateral upper extremity splints are applied and specific payor rules require bilateral modifier reporting.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate that the procedure was performed on the left proximal ulna.
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate that the procedure was performed on the right proximal ulna.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when procedure is partially completed (duplicate entry removed above).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207L00000X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	Orthopedic surgeons commonly manage and decide definitive care for proximal ulnar fractures.
`207ZP0108X`	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians commonly assess and perform initial splinting and ED management.
`2085R0202X`	Hand Surgery	Hand surgeons/upper-extremity specialists may manage peri-articular forearm fractures and follow-up care.
`2080S0123X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	PM&R may be involved in post-immobilization functional recovery and therapy planning.
`207K00000X`	Sports Medicine	Sports medicine physicians frequently evaluate and manage acute athletic injuries including splinting.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S52.21XA`	Displaced fracture of shaft of ulna, initial encounter for closed fracture	Proximal ulna fractures may present with displacement requiring different management than simple splinting.
`S52.20XA`	Fracture of ulna, unspecified part, initial encounter for closed fracture	Used when the fracture is documented as ulna but exact location is not specified; may be used prior to definitive imaging classification.
`S52.23XA`	Fracture of proximal end of ulna, initial encounter for closed fracture	Directly describes an initial closed proximal ulna fracture appropriate for splinting without manipulation.
`S52.24XA`	Fracture of olecranon, initial encounter for closed fracture	Olecranon fractures at the proximal ulna may require immobilization; some need operative fixation depending on displacement.
`S52.221A`	Torus fracture of shaft of ulna, initial encounter for closed fracture	Stable, minimally displaced fractures amenable to conservative immobilization with a splint.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`73030`	Radiologic examination, elbow; complete, minimum of 3 views	Pre-procedural imaging to confirm fracture and guide immobilization.
`73650`	Radiologic examination, forearm; 2 views	Supplemental imaging of the forearm when fracture extension or additional injury is suspected.
`29130`	Application of long arm splint (shoulder to hand)	Alternative immobilization technique that may be used for proximal ulnar fractures requiring more restrictive immobilization.
`29075`	Application of posterior splint, elbow and forearm	Closely related splint application code often used for immobilization of proximal ulna/olecranon fractures.
`20690`	Application of a device (e.g., splint) under anesthesia; not typically used here but listed for context	Not typically performed for simple splinting without anesthesia; used when more complex fixation or manipulation under anesthesia occurs.

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