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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBody and Upper Extremity Application of CastsCPT cpt-29075-short-arm-cast-application-lower-arm
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    CPT 29075: Short Arm Cast for Lower Arm Fractures

    Medicare pays $101 and commercial payers pay $284 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29075 describes application of a short arm cast encasing the lower arm used to treat fractures and correct deformities of the hand and wrist; this is a cast application procedure typically performed as an orthopaedic procedural service in an ambulatory surgery center, emergency department, or outpatient clinic/office setting for immobilization of forearm, wrist, or hand injuries.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Transport, Air Ambulance, Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only).

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    Nationally, Medicare’s mean rate sits at $100.9, which is substantially lower than BUCA’s average commercial mean of $284.4 — a gap of $183.5. This contrast highlights that BUCA-contracted commercial payments are roughly 2.8 times higher than Medicare’s mean for CPT 29075, underscoring meaningful payer-level differences in average reimbursement for the service.

    Examining dispersion using the interquartile spread (P75 minus P25) shows notable variation across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield has the widest IQR at $156.0 ($493.3 - $334.7), followed by BUCA with $125.0 ($347.3 - $222.3) and UnitedHealth Group at $84.9 ($167.8 - $85.1). Aetna and Cigna exhibit the tightest distributions with IQRs of $70.1 ($124.9 - $48.0) and $80.1 ($165.3 - $84.2), respectively, indicating more concentrated mid‑range payments for those carriers.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old patient presents to an orthopaedic urgent care clinic after a fall onto an outstretched hand. The patient reports immediate pain, swelling, and limited wrist motion. Physical exam demonstrates point tenderness at the distal radius and decreased hand function. Plain radiographs confirm an extra-articular, closed fracture of the distal radius. The treating orthopaedic surgeon or family medicine physician applies a short arm cast encasing the lower arm to immobilize the wrist and hand while the fracture is managed nonoperatively.

    Clinical workflow: initial evaluation (history, focused physical exam), radiographs obtained and reviewed, informed consent for cast application, closed reduction if indicated, application of a short arm cast using standard materials (stockinette, padding, plaster or fiberglass), neurovascular check post-application, cast care and follow-up instructions documented, and schedule for outpatient fracture follow-up and repeat radiographs as clinically indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29125Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); dynamicAlternative temporary immobilization prior to definitive short arm cast or used when dynamic splinting is clinically indicated.
    29130

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    59Modifier 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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    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…
    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…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207X00000XOrthopaedic Surgery PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
    207XX0004XOrthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery PhysicianRecognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty program of orthopaedic surgery, foot and ankle surgeons deal with adult recons…
    207N00000XDermatology PhysicianA dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genital…
    225200000XPhysical Therapy Assistant(1)Physical therapist assistants are skilled health care providers who are graduates of a physical therapist assistant associate degree program accred…
    2081N0008XNeuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…
    207WX0107XRetina Specialist (Ophthalmology) PhysicianAn ophthalmologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases.
    281PC2000XChildren's Chronic Disease HospitalHospitals · Chronic Disease Hospital
    1835C0205XCritical Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the delivery of patient care services by pharmacists, as integral member…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    21 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M25.521Pain in right elbow
    M84.371AStress fracture, right ankle, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.372AStress fracture, left ankle, initial encounter for fracture
    M84.379AStress fracture, unspecified toe(s), initial encounter for fracture
    M84.431APathological fracture, right ulna, initial encounter for fracture
    S52.001AUnspecified fracture of upper end of right ulna, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S52.101AUnspecified fracture of upper end of right radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S52.111ATorus fracture of upper end of right radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S52.301AUnspecified fracture of shaft of right radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S52.301BUnspecified fracture of shaft of right radius, initial encounter for open fracture type I or II

    Showing 1–10 of 21

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Ambulance TransportProvidence Health Plan2026-07-01
    Air ambulance transport coverage criteriaeocco2026-07-01

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

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

    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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    Application of finger splint; static
    Used when isolated finger immobilization is required instead of a full short arm cast.
    29105Application of long arm splint (shoulder to hand); staticUsed when immobilization including the elbow is required instead of a short arm cast.
    99213Established patient office or other outpatient visit, typically 15 minutesCommon visit code for evaluation and management associated with fracture assessment and cast application.