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

Medicare pays $142 and commercial payers pay $197 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 29058 describes application of a plaster Velpeau cast that immobilizes the upper forearm and shoulder, holding a flexed forearm against the trunk to treat fractures of the humerus, scapula, or clavicle or to maintain reduction after glenohumeral, sternoclavicular, or acromioclavicular dislocation; service type: cast application/immobilization; typical site of service: emergency department or outpatient orthopaedic clinic or ambulatory surgical center where closed reductions and fracture immobilization are performed.

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Medicare’s mean rate for CPT 29058 sits at $142.4, notably lower than BUCA’s mean commercial rate of $197.5, leaving a gap of $55.1 that highlights a material premium in commercial contracting versus the federal program. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna and BUCA all show higher mean values than Medicare, with commercial averages generally clustering above the $140s.

Dispersion measured as P75 minus P25 is tightest for Aetna at $79.5 and tight for Medicare at $15 (P75 $148 minus P25 $133). The widest spread appears with Blue Cross Blue Shield at $128.6, followed by UnitedHealth Group at $122.4 and Cigna at $120.0, indicating broader variability in commercial pricing among those payers compared with Aetna and Medicare.

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

Medicare pays $142 and commercial payers pay $197 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 29058 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 29058 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 48-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a fall from a ladder with severe right shoulder and proximal arm pain, deformity, and limited shoulder and elbow motion. Radiographs demonstrate a displaced mid-shaft humeral fracture with concern for potential instability; after neurovascular assessment and appropriate analgesia, the orthopaedic or emergency medicine provider performs a closed reduction as indicated and applies a plaster Velpeau (upper forearm and shoulder) cast to immobilize the shoulder and elbow in flexion against the trunk. The cast prevents movement of the glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular joints and stabilizes the humerus while soft tissues and the fracture begin to heal. Typical workflow includes pre-procedure informed consent, neurovascular exam documentation, description of reduction maneuvers if performed, application technique and materials used, post-application neurovascular reassessment, cast care instructions documented in the record, and scheduling of follow-up radiographs and clinic evaluation.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29055`	APPLICATION CAST SHOULDER SPICA	Alternative immobilization for shoulder girdle injuries when thoracic immobilization is required; used when a spica is preferred over a Velpeau cast
`29065`	APPLICATION CAST SHOULDER TO HAND LONG ARM	More extensive immobilization extending to the hand; used when wrist or hand stabilization is concurrently required
`29075`	APPLICATION CAST ELBOW TO FINGER SHORT ARM	Short arm cast option when injury is distal to the elbow and does not require shoulder immobilization
`29085`	APPLICATION CAST HAND & LOWER FOREARM GAUNTLET	Used for isolated hand or distal forearm fractures when shoulder immobilization is not indicated
`29086`	APPLICATION CAST FINGER	For isolated digital fractures; typically used when only a finger immobilization is required

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
50	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
78	CPT 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…
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -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…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
207XX0004X	Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Physician	Recognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty program of orthopaedic surgery, foot and ankle surgeons deal with adult recons…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207SC0300X	Clinical Cytogenetics Physician	A clinical cytogeneticist demonstrates competence in providing laboratory diagnostic and clinical interpretive services dealing with cellular componen…
376G00000X	Nursing Home Administrator	An individual, often licensed by the state, who is responsible for the management of a nursing home.
343800000X	Secured Medical Transport (VAN)	A public or privately owned transportation service with vehicles, specially equipped to provide enhanced safety, security and passenger restraint, and…
163WP2201X	Ambulatory Care Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
207WX0109X	Neuro-ophthalmology Physician	A neuro-ophthalmologist is a subspecialist of ophthalmology. This physician evaluates, treats, and studies disorders of the eye, orbit and nervous sy…

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-29040-MINERVA-BODY-CAST-CERVICAL-THORACIC-STABILIZATION

CPT 29040: Minerva-Type Body Cast for Cervical and Trunk Stabilization

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-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.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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29055`	APPLICATION CAST SHOULDER SPICA	Alternative immobilization for shoulder girdle injuries when thoracic immobilization is required; used when a spica is preferred over a Velpeau cast
`29065`	APPLICATION CAST SHOULDER TO HAND LONG ARM	More extensive immobilization extending to the hand; used when wrist or hand stabilization is concurrently required
`29075`	APPLICATION CAST ELBOW TO FINGER SHORT ARM	Short arm cast option when injury is distal to the elbow and does not require shoulder immobilization
`29085`	APPLICATION CAST HAND & LOWER FOREARM GAUNTLET	Used for isolated hand or distal forearm fractures when shoulder immobilization is not indicated
`29086`	APPLICATION CAST FINGER	For isolated digital fractures; typically used when only a finger immobilization is required

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
50	Modifier –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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
78	CPT 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…
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -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…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207X00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery Physician	An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
207XX0004X	Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Physician	Recognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty program of orthopaedic surgery, foot and ankle surgeons deal with adult recons…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
207SC0300X	Clinical Cytogenetics Physician	A clinical cytogeneticist demonstrates competence in providing laboratory diagnostic and clinical interpretive services dealing with cellular componen…
376G00000X	Nursing Home Administrator	An individual, often licensed by the state, who is responsible for the management of a nursing home.
343800000X	Secured Medical Transport (VAN)	A public or privately owned transportation service with vehicles, specially equipped to provide enhanced safety, security and passenger restraint, and…
163WP2201X	Ambulatory Care Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
207WX0109X	Neuro-ophthalmology Physician	A neuro-ophthalmologist is a subspecialist of ophthalmology. This physician evaluates, treats, and studies disorders of the eye, orbit and nervous sy…

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-29040-MINERVA-BODY-CAST-CERVICAL-THORACIC-STABILIZATION

CPT 29040: Minerva-Type Body Cast for Cervical and Trunk Stabilization

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-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.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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

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

Sign up for cpt 29058 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

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

Sign up for cpt 29058 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

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

Sign up for cpt 29058 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

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

Sign up for cpt 29058 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What clinical situations indicate using CPT 29058 (plaster Velpeau upper forearm and shoulder cast)?

Where is the Velpeau cast typically applied (site of service) and by which specialties?

What documentation elements are expected when performing the procedure described by CPT 29058?

Which related CPT codes might be considered when immobilization needs differ from a Velpeau cast?

What diagnoses are listed as related to the use of a Velpeau cast and how do they influence cast selection?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What clinical situations indicate using CPT 29058 (plaster Velpeau upper forearm and shoulder cast)?

Where is the Velpeau cast typically applied (site of service) and by which specialties?

What documentation elements are expected when performing the procedure described by CPT 29058?

Which related CPT codes might be considered when immobilization needs differ from a Velpeau cast?

What diagnoses are listed as related to the use of a Velpeau cast and how do they influence cast selection?

References