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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRemoval or Repair of Casts and StrappingCPT cpt-29720-spica-body-jacket-cast-repair
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    CPT 29720: Repair of Spica/Body/Jacket Cast

    Medicare pays $102 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29720 describes repair of a spica cast, body cast, or jacket cast performed when the cast requires restoration due to wear, damage, or loss of structural integrity; this is a cast repair procedure typically provided as a minor orthopedic service in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient setting and involves reestablishing the cast’s fit and support to maintain immobilization.

    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 typical patient is a pediatric or adult patient who presents to an orthopedic clinic, urgent care, or ambulatory surgery center with a damaged or degraded spica, body, or jacket cast after recent immobilization for fractures, postoperative stabilization, or spinal injuries. The patient reports localized pressure points, cracking, softening, loosening, or cosmetically broken sections of the cast that compromise immobilization or skin integrity. The clinical workflow begins with a focused history and targeted physical exam to assess cast integrity and adjacent skin condition; imaging (plain radiographs) may be obtained if there is concern for loss of reduction or new injury. The provider documents the reason for repair (wear and tear, partial break, or localized damage) and performs a cast repair procedure in a procedure room or clinic setting under appropriate analgesia or procedural sedation when needed. The procedure includes trimming damaged material, patching or replacing sections of the cast, reapplying padding as necessary, and confirming stability and patient instructions for care. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or emergency department depending on urgency and patient status. Post-procedure documentation includes the repaired cast description, materials used, time spent, patient tolerance, and follow-up plan for definitive cast replacement if required.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29075Application of long arm cast (shoulder to hand)Performed when initial immobilization is required before or after localized cast repairs; may be used if repair is insufficient and full cast replacement is needed.
    29125Application of short arm cast (below elbow to hand)Common alternative when repairing localized arm cast damage or when converting to a different cast type after repair.
    29305Application of body jacket (thoracolumbosacral orthosis), plaster or fiberglassRelated when full replacement of a damaged body or jacket cast is necessary instead of patch repair.
    29130Removal of external fixation device; upper arm and forearmRelated procedural step when removal of existing hardware or external devices is necessary prior to definitive cast repair or replacement.
    99070Supplies and materials (except spectacles), provided by physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or procedureUsed to bill for cast materials, padding, and supplies used in the repair when separately billable.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, global period reportingUsed to document routine postoperative follow-up visits related to cast management when applicable.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    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…
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    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.,…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    207X00000X
    363A00000X
    207PP0204X
    213EP1101X
    2278C0205X

    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-29700-CAST-REMOVAL-OR-MODIFICATION-BODY-FOOT-HAND

    CPT 29700: Removal or Modification of Cast (Body, Foot, or Hand)

    CPT-29705-FULL-ARM-OR-LEG-CAST-REMOVAL-MODIFICATION

    CPT 29705: Removal or Modification of Full Arm or Leg Cast

    CPT-29710-SPICA-MINERVA-RISSER-CAST-REMOVAL-MODIFICATION

    CPT 29710: Spica/Minerva/Risser Cast Removal or Modification

    CPT-29730-CAST-WINDOWING-WOUND-INSPECTION

    CPT 29730: Cast Window for Wound Inspection

    CPT-29740-CAST-WEDGING-LONG-BONE-FRACTURE-REALIGNMENT

    CPT 29740: Cast Wedging for Long Bone Fracture

    CPT-29750-CLUBFOOT-CAST-WEDGE-REPOSITIONING

    CPT 29750: Cast Wedging to Reposition Foot for Clubfoot

    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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