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CPT 29515: Short Leg Splint, Lower Leg Immobilization
CPT code 29515 denotes the application of a short leg splint that immobilizes the lower leg from just below the knee to the foot for injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains. This procedure is commonly performed in acute care settings to stabilize the limb, reduce pain, and protect soft tissues while definitive treatment is planned. Nationally, accurate use of this code supports appropriate billing for initial immobilization services across emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient orthopedic clinics.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical indications tied to the code, common service settings, and links to closely related splinting and immobilization codes. The publication also summarizes typical payer considerations and common modifiers associated with procedural billing for immobilization services.
This resource is intended to help coding staff, billing managers, and clinical leaders understand the clinical context and coding placement of CPT code 29515, compare it to related procedures, and identify where the code fits in care delivery workflows. Data not available in the input: detailed payer-specific reimbursement rates and utilization benchmarks.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 29515 describes the application of a short leg splint used to immobilize the lower leg from just below the knee to the foot. The procedure is intended for treatment of acute lower leg conditions such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains.
Service Type: Splint application / immobilization of lower leg
Typical Site of Service: Emergency department, urgent care, or outpatient orthopedic clinic
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial averages sit above Medicare for CPT 29515: Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA show substantially higher means than Medicare’s mean of $85.2. BUCA’s mean is $156.8, roughly $71.6 above Medicare, while Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean of $203.5 exceeds Medicare by $118.3; other national commercial means (Aetna $71.8, Cigna $101.8, UnitedHealth Group $109.8) spread between those points, illustrating material premium variation between commercial contracts and the Medicare baseline.
Dispersion varies notably across payers when comparing interquartile ranges (P75–P25). Blue Cross Blue Shield’s IQR is $87.0 (P75 $246.0 minus P25 $159.8), making it one of the widest; UnitedHealth Group’s IQR is $69.5 (P75 $137.7 − P25 $69.5), and Cigna’s IQR is $53.8. Aetna’s IQR is $50.4, while BUCA’s IQR is $73.9. Medicare’s IQR is tight at $9.0 (P75 $89 − P25 $80).