Summary & Overview

CPT 24675: Closed Treatment of Proximal Ulna Fracture

CPT code 24675 denotes the closed treatment of a proximal ulnar fracture with manipulation and application of a splint or cast. This procedure is a common acute orthopedic intervention to realign and immobilize the ulna near the elbow, reducing pain and enabling fracture healing without open surgery. The code is relevant across emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient orthopedic practices where nonoperative fracture management is performed. Nationally, CPT code 24675 matters because it captures a frequently billed, time-sensitive service tied to both emergency care workflows and ambulatory orthopedics, affecting clinical documentation, coding compliance, and payment for fracture management.

Key payers typically referenced in national analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for the procedure, expected sites of service, and common billing considerations. The publication outlines payment benchmarks, typical utilization patterns, and relevant policy updates that influence coverage and prior authorization practices. Also covered are documentation elements that support medical necessity for closed fracture reduction and immobilization, and comparisons of how major payers approach authorization and bundling for acute fracture care. Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer rates, ICD-10 mappings, and taxonomy details are required.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 24675ulna fractureclosed reductionfracture immobilizationorthopedicsemergency medicineurgent careprocedure codingacute care

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 24675 describes closed treatment of a proximal ulnar shaft fracture with manipulation and application of a splint or cast. This service involves manual realignment (closed reduction) of the ulna near the elbow and immobilization to maintain bone position during healing.

Service type: Closed fracture treatment with manipulation and splint/cast application
Typical site of service: Emergency department, urgent care, or outpatient orthopedic clinic where acute fracture management and immobilization are performed

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 34-year-old construction worker presents to the emergency department after a fall onto his outstretched hand with immediate pain and swelling at the proximal forearm near the elbow. Radiographs demonstrate an isolated proximal ulnar fracture without gross displacement but with angulation. The orthopedic provider performs a closed reduction of the proximal ulna (manually realigning the fracture) under procedural sedation in the ED, confirms alignment with post-reduction radiographs, and applies a long-arm splint to immobilize the elbow and forearm pending orthopedic follow-up. The clinical workflow includes triage and initial neurovascular exam, imaging (AP and lateral radiographs), informed consent, sedation and analgesia documentation, performance of the closed reduction, post-procedure neurovascular reassessment, splint application, and documentation of post-reduction imaging and discharge instructions with arranged follow-up.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the procedure required significantly greater work than usual (e.g., multiple reduction attempts, difficult reduction).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia or regional block is required for a procedure that is normally done with local anesthesia or sedation.
`25`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`26`	Professional component	Not typically applicable to this procedure; would apply if billing separately for physician interpretation of imaging.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or intentionally not completed as typically described (e.g., attempted reduction aborted).
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is terminated after anesthesia or sedation due to medical reasons before completion.
`57`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons perform distinct parts of the procedure due to complexity.
`73`	Discontinued outpatient procedure prior to anesthesia	Use when the outpatient procedure is stopped before administration of anesthesia.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use when a return procedure is required for management of a complication of the initial reduction.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated service is provided during the global period.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the procedure was performed on the left forearm/ulna.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the procedure was performed on the right forearm/ulna.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207R00000X	Orthopedic Surgery	Most common specialty performing closed reduction of proximal ulna fractures.
207P00000X	Hand Surgery	Specialists who manage forearm and elbow fractures, including reductions and splinting.
2080P0003X	Emergency Medicine	Frequently performs closed reductions and initial splinting in the ED.
208000000X	Family Medicine	May perform reductions in urgent care or rural settings when orthopedics is not immediately available.
207L00000X	Sports Medicine	Manages acute upper-extremity fractures in athletes and active adults.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12001`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membrane; 2.5 cm or less	May be performed if superficial lacerations are present at the time of reduction and require repair prior to splinting.
`20690`	Application of a temporary external fixation system	May be used for severe fractures requiring temporary stabilization before definitive fixation; not typical for isolated closed reduction and splinting but relevant in complex cases.
`29075`	Application of long arm splint (forearm, wrist and elbow)	Directly relates to immobilization after closed reduction of a proximal ulnar fracture; commonly billed in conjunction.
`73030`	Radiologic examination, forearm; complete, minimum of 2 views	Used for initial diagnostic imaging and post-reduction imaging to document alignment.
`99152`	Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician performing the procedure (first 15 minutes)	Billed when conscious/deep sedation is provided by the treating physician during closed reduction in the ED or procedure suite.