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    OpenPayerBilling CodesLower Extremity Application of CastsCPT cpt-29405-short-leg-cast-lower-leg-fracture-ankle-sprain
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    CPT 29405: Short Leg Cast for Lower Leg Fracture or Severe Ankle Sprain

    Medicare pays $91 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29405 describes application of a short leg cast that extends from just below the knee down over the foot (toes free) for treatment of fractures of the lower leg (tibia and/or fibula) or a severe ankle sprain; service type: cast application/orthopedic immobilization; typical site of service: outpatient orthopedic clinic, emergency department, or ambulatory surgery center where immobilization for lower leg injuries is 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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after slipping on wet pavement and reporting severe left lower-leg pain and inability to bear weight. Physical exam reveals localized tenderness over the tibia and fibula with swelling and deformity. Radiographs confirm a nondisplaced tibial shaft fracture without neurovascular compromise. The orthopedic clinician elects to apply a short-leg (below-knee) cast to stabilize the fracture for pain control and immobilization while arranging definitive follow-up care.

    The clinical workflow includes triage and triage imaging (plain radiographs), orthopedic evaluation, informed consent, cast application using stockinette, padding, plaster or fiberglass material, molding and trimming, post-application neurovascular check, patient education on cast care and weight-bearing status, and documentation of procedure, time, and laterality. Typical follow-up occurs in orthopedic clinic within 1–2 weeks for reassessment and repeat imaging as needed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29405Application of short leg cast (below-knee)Primary procedure code for application of a short-leg cast; used to immobilize fractures of the tibia/fibula or severe ankle sprains.
    20690Application of unna boot; includes debridement and dressingMay be used in the same clinical course for soft-tissue management or adjunctive immobilization techniques, though not typically billed on the same day as definitive cast application.
    29075Application of external fixator, distal tibia/fibula (temporary external fixation)Performed when temporary stabilization using external fixation is required prior to or instead of casting in more severe fractures.
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), non-covered items used in the patient’s treatmentUsed to bill non-implant supplies associated with cast materials if payer allows separate supply reimbursement.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (for wound management)May be performed prior to casting if open wounds require debridement before immobilization.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    163W00000X
    363A00000X
    2278P1006X
    207QH0002X
    176P00000X
    261QM1103X

    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-29305-HIP-SPICA-BODY-CAST-TRUNK-AND-ONE-LEG

    CPT 29305: Hip Spica Body Cast for Trunk and One Leg

    CPT-29325-HIP-SPICA-BODY-CAST-APPLICATION

    CPT 29325: Hip Spica Cast Application for Hip/Thigh Immobilization

    CPT-29345-LONG-LEG-CAST-APPLICATION-IMMOBILIZATION

    CPT 29345: Long Leg Cast Application, Knee and Leg Immobilization

    CPT-29355-LONG-LEG-AMBULATORY-CAST-APPLICATION

    CPT 29355: Long Leg Ambulatory Cast Application

    CPT-29358-LONG-LEG-BRACE-CAST-FEMUR-FRACTURE-IMMOBILIZATION

    CPT 29358: Long Leg Brace-Type Cast with Knee Motion for Femur Fracture

    CPT-29365-CYLINDER-CAST-LEG-KNEE-IMMOBILIZATION-FRACTURE

    CPT 29365: Thigh-to-Lower-Leg Cylinder Cast Immobilization

    CPT-29425-LOWER-LEG-CAST-APPLICATION-TIBIA-FIBULA-ANKLE

    CPT 29425: Lower Leg Cast Application with Walking Accommodation

    CPT-29435-WALKING-CAST-LOWER-LEG-TIBIA-FIBULA-FRACTURE

    CPT 29435: Lower Leg Walking Cast for Tibia/Fibula Shaft Fracture

    CPT-29440-REMOVABLE-WALKER-OR-HEEL-PAD-FOR-LEG-CAST

    CPT 29440: Removable Walker or Heel Pad Added to Leg Cast

    CPT-29445-TOTAL-CONTACT-WALKING-CAST-FOR-DIABETIC-ULCER-OFFLOADING

    CPT 29445: Total Contact Cast for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    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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