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    OpenPayerBilling CodesBody and Upper Extremity Application of SplintsCPT cpt-29131-dynamic-finger-splint-application
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    CPT 29131: Dynamic Finger Splint Application to Improve Joint Motion

    Medicare pays $61 and commercial payers pay $137 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29131 describes application of a dynamic (hinged) splint to the hand and finger to stretch a stiff finger joint and improve range of motion after surgery or injury; service type: splinting/orthotic application, typical site of service: clinic, outpatient orthopedics or hand therapy setting.

    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

    Medicare's mean of $61.5 sits well below BUCA’s average commercial mean of $137.5, indicating that commercial reimbursements via BUCA are about $76 higher on average than Medicare for CPT 29131. This gap highlights a sizable transfer from public to commercial payers in national average pricing for this code.

    Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75−P25) varies notably across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the widest IQR at $77.1 ($231.4−$154.3), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $44.4 ($99.2−$49.8) and Cigna at $50.9 ($102.2−$49.1). Aetna has the tightest spread at $33.0 ($48.8−$16.0). BUCA’s IQR is $63.4 ($168.0−$104.6) and Medicare’s is narrow at $6.0 ($64−$58), reflecting relatively concentrated local Medicare rates versus more variable commercial pricing.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old right-handed manual laborer presents to the orthopedic hand clinic two weeks after an industrial crush injury to the left index finger. Radiographs confirmed an acute closed phalangeal fracture (S62.608A). After initial immobilization and fracture management, the patient demonstrates limited active extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint with early flexion contracture and pain (M79.642). The orthopedic surgeon prescribes a dynamic (hinged) finger splint to provide a progressive stretching force to the stiff joint and to improve range of motion while protecting fracture healing.

    The clinical workflow: the patient is evaluated in the outpatient hand clinic (established visit, typically 99213 duration). The surgeon or hand therapist assesses current range of motion, photographs and documents baseline joint mobility, and selects or fabricates a dynamic finger splint in clinic. The provider fits the splint, instructs the patient on wear schedule and precautions, and documents medical necessity, laterality (e.g., LT vs RT), and any functional limitations. Follow-up visits with the orthopedic surgeon or physical/hand therapist monitor progress, adjust tension, and document continued need for the dynamic splint during the rehabilitation phase.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    225100000X
    363A00000X
    207ZP0102X
    363LC1500X
    246ZE0600X
    133VN1006X
    171400000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    34 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G56.41Causalgia of right upper limb
    G56.42Causalgia of left upper limb
    G83.4Cauda equina syndrome
    G83.9Paralytic syndrome, unspecified
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M19.011Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
    M19.012Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
    M20.21Hallux rigidus, right foot
    M20.22Hallux rigidus, left foot

    Showing 1–10 of 34

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 4

    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-29105-UPPER-AND-LOWER-ARM-SPLINT-APPLICATION

    CPT 29105: Application of Upper and Lower Arm Splint

    CPT-29125-FOREARM-WRIST-STATIC-SPLINT-APPLICATION

    CPT 29125: Rigid Splint Elbow to Palm for Forearm/Wrist Injury

    CPT-29126-DYNAMIC-SPLINT-LOWER-ARM-ELBOW-TO-PALM

    CPT 29126: Dynamic (Hinged) Splint, Forearm to Palm

    CPT-29130-STATIC-FINGER-SPLINT-APPLICATION

    CPT 29130: Application of Static Finger Splint

    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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    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

    29130Application of finger splint; dynamicAlternative code for dynamic finger splint application; use when procedure fits the specific descriptor or payer preference differs
    29125Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); staticUsed when a static short arm splint is applied instead of or prior to dynamic finger splinting
    29126Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); dynamicUsed for dynamic splinting of wrist/hand when therapy targets more proximal joints or combined splinting is needed
    99213Established patient office or other outpatient visit, typically 15 minutesCommon E/M service for evaluation, splint ordering, and follow-up documentation in outpatient clinic