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    OpenPayerBilling CodesBody and Upper Extremity Application of CastsCPT cpt-29040-minerva-body-cast-cervical-thoracic-stabilization
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    CPT 29040: Minerva-Type Body Cast for Cervical and Trunk Stabilization

    Medicare pays $352 and commercial payers pay $309 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29040 describes application of a Minerva-type body cast that immobilizes the trunk and cervical spine, including the neck, jaw, and head, used to stabilize the cervical and upper thoracic spine for conditions such as cervical spine injuries, torticollis, and scoliosis; service type: casting/immobilization procedure; typical site of service: inpatient or outpatient hospital setting, or ambulatory surgical center where spinal immobilization and orthopaedic casting are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency Transportation, Non-Emergent Transportation Medical Policy, Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfers.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    Nationally, Medicare’s mean rate of $351.50 for CPT 29040 sits slightly above BUCA’s mean commercial rate of $309.40, indicating Medicare reimbursement is modestly higher on average than this commercial benchmark. Median rates for commercial payers trend below their means in some cases, suggesting skew from higher upper-end payments; UnitedHealth Group and Cigna show notably higher maximums that elevate their averages compared with BUCA and Medicare.

    Looking at dispersion measured as P75 minus P25, UnitedHealth Group has the widest interquartile spread at $275.10 ($525.70 - $250.60), followed by Cigna at $237.50 ($463.20 - $225.70). Blue Cross Blue Shield’s spread is $165.40 ($387.70 - $221.30). Aetna is the tightest among listed commercial payers with a spread of $175.00 ($220.00 - $43.50), while BUCA’s spread is $187.50 ($394.20 - $200.70). Medicare’s IQR is relatively narrow at $39.00 ($366.00 - $327.00).

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 14-year-old adolescent is brought to the orthopaedic clinic after a playground fall with neck pain, mid‑thoracic discomfort, and deformity of the upper trunk. Imaging demonstrates cervical spine instability with associated thoracic scoliosis progression and an acute forearm fracture on the right. The orthopaedic surgeon determines a nonoperative external immobilization strategy is appropriate to stabilize the cervical and upper thoracic spine, control rotation, and protect soft tissues while healing progresses. In the clinic or ambulatory surgical center, the provider applies a Minerva–type body cast that extends from the occiput to the pelvis, incorporating the neck, jaw, and head for rigid immobilization. The procedure is performed with the patient under conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care as needed; padding and bivalving techniques are documented for pressure‑relief and neurovascular checks. Typical workflow steps: history and consent, focused neurologic and skin assessment, positioning and cervical alignment, application of underlying stockinette and padding, molding of the cast (often plaster or fiberglass) to include forehead, jaw, and torso, verification of alignment and fit, postapplication radiographs if indicated, and discharge instructions including cast care and follow‑up scheduling.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29125Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); staticAlternative or adjunct immobilization for distal radius/forearm fractures when full Minerva body cast is not required

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    207XX0004X
    207XX0801X
    204R00000X
    3418M1130X
    146D00000X
    246R00000X
    344600000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency TransportationMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Non-Emergent Transportation Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-11-01
    Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfershap_caresource_mi_coordinated_health2026-11-01
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-29000-HALO-BODY-CAST-APPLICATION-CERVICAL-IMMOBILIZATION

    CPT 29000: Halo-Type Body Cast Application

    CPT-29010-RISSER-JACKET-PREOPERATIVE-SCOLIOSIS-LOCALIZER

    CPT 29010: Risser Jacket (Risser Localizer Cast) Application

    CPT-29015-RISSER-JACKET-PREOPERATIVE-SCOLIOSIS-CAST

    CPT 29015: Risser Localizer Jacket Application for Scoliosis

    CPT-29035-BODY-CAST-TRUNK-SPINE-IMMOBILIZATION

    CPT 29035: Thoracolumbosacral Body Cast for Postoperative Spinal Immobilization

    CPT-29044-BODY-CAST-SHOULDERS-TO-HIPS-AND-ONE-THIGH

    CPT 29044: Body Cast, Shoulders to Hips and One Thigh

    CPT-29046-TRUNK-AND-SPINE-BODY-CAST-APPLICATION-SHOULDERS-TO-THIGHS

    CPT 29046: Body Cast, Shoulders to Thighs, Trunk/Spine Immobilization

    CPT-29049-FIGURE-OF-EIGHT-CAST-APPLICATION-UPPER-EXTREMITY

    CPT 29049: Figure-of-Eight Cast Application for Arm Immobilization

    CPT-29055-SHOULDER-SPICA-SEMI-FULL-BODY-CAST

    CPT 29055: Shoulder Spica Semi–Full Body Cast

    CPT-29058-PLASTER-VELPEAU-UPPER-FOREARM-SHOULDER-CAST

    CPT 29058: Application of Plaster Velpeau Cast for Upper Forearm and Shoulder

    CPT-29065-LONG-ARM-CAST-APPLICATION-UPPER-LOWER-ARM

    CPT 29065: Application of Long Arm Cast for Upper/Lower Arm

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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    29130Application of finger splint; staticPerformed for isolated finger injuries concurrently with trunk casting when indicated
    29075Application of short arm cast (forearm to hand); gauntletDefinitive immobilization for hand/forearm fractures that may be used instead of or in addition to splints at initial management
    29105Application of long arm splint (shoulder to hand); staticUsed when elbow and forearm immobilization is needed in conjunction with spine immobilization; may precede or follow definitive casting