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    OpenPayerBilling CodesLower Extremity Application of Strapping-Any AgeCPT cpt-29581-lower-leg-ankle-foot-multilayer-compression-bandage
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    CPT 29581: Multilayer Compression Bandage, Lower Leg/Ankle/Foot

    Medicare pays $87 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29581 describes application of a multilayer compression (layered) bandage to the lower leg, ankle, and foot to manage venous stasis ulcers and venous insufficiency, providing controlled compression to reduce swelling and create a stable environment for ulcer healing; service type: wound care/compression therapy application; typical site of service: outpatient clinic, wound care center, or bedside in an acute care setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Implants for Joint Pain, Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell Therapy, Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with chronic venous insufficiency and one or more venous stasis ulcers of the lower leg, ankle, or foot. The patient presents to an outpatient wound clinic, vascular clinic, or home health nurse visit for wound care and compression therapy. Clinical workflow: initial wound assessment (history, vascular exam, measurement and photography), wound cleansing and dressing of ulcer(s), measurement of ankle-brachial index as indicated to assess arterial perfusion, debridement if needed (sharp, enzymatic, or autolytic) or documentation that debridement is not indicated, selection of appropriate multilayer compression components, application of a layered compression bandage system from foot/ankle to below-knee with proper tension and padding to protect bony prominences, patient education on activity and follow-up, and scheduled reapplication typically every 3–7 days depending on wound status. Typical site of service: outpatient wound care clinic, physician office, specialty vascular clinic, or skilled home health nursing visit. Service type: therapeutic multilayer compression bandaging for venous stasis/venous insufficiency to reduce edema and promote ulcer healing. Typical patient scenario: a 72-year-old with chronic lower-extremity edema and a 2.5 cm venous stasis ulcer over the medial malleolus treated with dressing change and application of a multilayer compression system to control venous hypertension and support healing; arterial perfusion adequate by ABI, no active infection requiring systemic therapy, plan for weekly rebandaging and compression hosiery once healed.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29580Application of multilayer compression system; thigh to toePerformed when more extensive compression from thigh to toe is required instead of below-knee application.
    29582Application of short stretch compression system (e.g., Coban)Alternative compression technique; may be used in lieu of a multilayer bandage depending on clinician preference and wound needs.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (simple); first 20 sq cm or lessCommonly performed prior to bandage application when necrotic tissue requires sharp debridement to promote healing.
    11043Debridement, muscle and/or fascia; first 20 sq cm or lessUsed when deeper debridement is clinically required before applying compression.
    97605Negative pressure wound therapy (e.g., topical) using a disposable device, short termMay be used before multilayer compression during wound bed preparation in select cases.
    99406Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling, intermediateRelated supportive care service often offered to patients with chronic venous ulcers to address risk factors that impair healing.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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
    2080B0002X
    207VX0000X
    246Q00000X
    103TS0200X
    1744G0900X
    2279P1006X
    221700000X
    171000000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.621Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer
    E11.622Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer
    I83.013Varicose veins of right lower extremity with ulcer of ankle
    I83.213Varicose veins of right lower extremity with both ulcer of ankle and inflammation
    I83.219Varicose veins of right lower extremity with both ulcer of unspecified site and inflammation
    I87.2Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral)
    I89.0Lymphedema, not elsewhere classified
    I96Gangrene, not elsewhere classified
    L03.116Cellulitis of left lower limb
    L97.411Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot limited to breakdown of skin

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Implants for Joint PainBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-03-01
    Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell TherapyBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)Blue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Low-Back Pain Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Bone Grafts and Stabilization Devices for Spinal Defects - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Implantable Shock Absorbers for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritisblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06

    Related Codes

    CPT-29520-HIP-ELASTIC-ADHESIVE-TAPING-STRAPPING

    CPT 29520: Hip Strapping with Elastic Adhesive Tape

    CPT-29530-KNEE-ELASTIC-ADHESIVE-TAPE-STRAPPING

    CPT 29530: Elastic Adhesive Taping/Strapping of Knee

    CPT-29540-ANKLE-FOOT-ELASTIC-TAPE-STRAPPING

    CPT 29540: Elastic Tape Strapping of Ankle or Foot

    CPT-29550-TOE-ELASTIC-ADHESIVE-TAPE-APPLICATION-STRAPPING

    CPT 29550: Toe Strapping with Elastic Adhesive Tape

    CPT-29580-UNNA-BOOT-SPIRAL-COMPRESSION-DRESSING-APPLICATION

    CPT 29580: Unna Boot (Spiral Compression Dressing)

    CPT-29584-ARM-MULTILAYER-COMPRESSION-BANDAGE-VENOUS-STASIS

    CPT 29584: Multilayer Compression Bandage to Arm

    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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