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    OpenPayerBilling CodesLower Extremity Application of SplintsCPT cpt-29505-long-leg-splint-application-leg-immobilization
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    CPT 29505: Application of Long Leg Splint (Thigh to Ankle)

    Medicare pays $114 and commercial payers pay $162 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29505 describes application of a long leg splint that immobilizes the entire leg from the top of the thigh to the ankle/foot for injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains; this is an orthopaedic/trauma or emergency service typically rendered in the emergency department, urgent care, or orthopaedic clinic and documented as a procedural application of a splint for initial immobilization and stabilization.

    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 averages $113.50 for CPT 29505 while BUCA (average commercial) sits higher at $161.50, a gap of $48.00 that highlights material upward pressure from commercial contracts relative to the federal program. This differential places BUCA above Medicare’s mean but still within the broader commercial band set by payers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group.

    Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75–P25) varies meaningfully: Blue Cross Blue Shield is the widest with a range of $88.00 (P75 $249.20 minus P25 $161.30), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $79.90, and Cigna at $59.40. Aetna exhibits one of the tightest interquartile spreads at $51.00, and BUCA’s IQR is $77.50; Medicare’s IQR is narrow at $14.00, indicating much less regional variability within the federal payment scale.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 32-year-old patient presents to the emergency department after a fall while playing recreational sports, reporting severe right lower leg pain and inability to bear weight. Physical exam demonstrates swelling and localized tenderness over the distal tibia with preserved distal neurovascular status. Plain radiographs confirm an undisplaced distal tibial fracture. The emergency physician or orthopaedic trauma surgeon provides analgesia, performs a neurovascular check, applies a long leg splint to immobilize the entire limb from the proximal thigh to the ankle/foot, and arranges orthopedic follow-up for definitive management. Typical workflow: triage → focused history and exam → pain control and neurovascular assessment → radiographs → application of 29505 long leg splint for immobilization → discharge with wound/splint care instructions and outpatient orthopaedic appointment (or admission if operative management planned). Typical site of service: Emergency Department or Ambulatory Orthopaedic Clinic. Service type: Splint application / temporary immobilization for tibial shaft or distal tibial fractures, dislocations, or severe sprains.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29405Application of short leg cast (below knee to toes)Alternative immobilization used for distal lower extremity fractures when cast is appropriate instead of a long leg splint.

    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.,…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207X00000X
    207XX0004X
    207P00000X
    207NS0135X
    204C00000X
    103TA0700X
    213ES0131X
    106E00000X

    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-29515-SHORT-LEG-SPLINT-LOWER-LEG-IMMOBILIZATION

    CPT 29515: Short Leg Splint Application for Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot Injuries

    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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    29515Application of short leg splint (calf to foot)Shorter splint option for injuries limited to below-knee structures; may be used when long leg immobilization is not required.
    29125Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); staticExample of splinting in the upper extremity; included for coding cross-reference of splint application services.
    99213Established patient office or other outpatient visit, typically 15 minutesCommon E/M code used when an outpatient follow-up visit or office evaluation accompanies splint application or assessment.