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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary CodesHCPCS hcpcs-q4045-short-leg-plaster-splint-adult
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    HCPCS Level II Q4045: Short Leg Plaster Splint, Adult (11+)

    HCPCS Level II code Q4045 describes cast supplies for a short leg plaster splint for adults (age 11 and older), used to create a rigid immobilizing device for the lower leg and ankle; the service is a supply item typically used in ambulatory clinic, emergency department, or orthopedics/sports medicine settings when a short leg plaster splint is applied for immobilization.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays, Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 35-year-old adult presents to an urgent care clinic after twisting the lower leg during a fall. The patient reports localized pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. Clinical evaluation and ankle radiographs rule out a displaced fracture but show soft-tissue injury or a nondisplaced distal tibia/fibula fracture requiring immobilization. The clinician decides to apply a short leg plaster splint to stabilize the ankle and lower leg, control swelling, and provide pain relief while arranging follow-up with orthopedics.

    The clinical workflow: outpatient or urgent care triage → focused musculoskeletal exam and neurovascular check → plain radiographs as indicated → informed consent and explanation of splinting procedure → application of Q4045 short leg plaster splint (adult) using appropriate padding and plaster materials, molding for fit, and immobilization technique → post-application neurovascular recheck and patient discharge instructions including weight-bearing status, wound care if applicable, and follow-up appointment with orthopedics for definitive casting or advanced care. Typical sites of service include urgent care centers, emergency departments, orthopedic clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers for temporary immobilization prior to definitive management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29075Application of short leg splint (below knee)Directly corresponds to the professional service of applying a short leg splint; often performed alongside billing for splint supplies (Q4045).
    29515Application of short leg cast (below knee)Used when a definitive plaster or fiberglass cast (complete circumferential) is applied instead of a temporary splint; may follow initial splinting.
    73630Radiologic examination, ankle; 3 viewsPlain radiographs commonly obtained before or after splint application to evaluate for fracture and verify position.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., ankle)Performed when joint effusion requires aspiration or injection before immobilization.
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., splints, casts)Sometimes used to bill for non-covered or separately priced supplies when payer rules require; Q4045 is the HCPCS supply code for plaster short leg splint supplies.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    2086S0127XTrauma Surgery PhysicianTrauma surgery is a recognized subspecialty of general surgery. Trauma surgeons are physicians who have completed a five-year general surgery residenc…
    364SX0106XOccupational Health Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    213EP1101XPrimary Podiatric Medicine PodiatristPodiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
    2278C0205XCritical Care Certified Respiratory TherapistRespiratory emergencies are commonplace in the treatment of critical care patients. Included in the assessment measurements conducted by the respirat…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    B-Hemolytic Streptococcus TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance AssaysOscar Health2026-10-01
    Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4139-INJECTABLE-AMNIOMATRIX-BIODMATRIX-1-CC

    HCPCS Q4139: Amniomatrix or Biodmatrix, Injectable, 1 cc

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q4256-AREA-BASED-PROCEDURAL-ADD-ON-PER-SQ-CM

    HCPCS Q4256: MLG-complete Skin Graft Material, Per Sq Cm

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-Q5132-ADALIMUMAB-AFZB-ABRILADA-10MG-INJECTION

    HCPCS Level II Q5132: Injection, adalimumab-afzb (Abrilada), 10 mg

    HCPCS-Q0035-CARDIOKYMOGRAPHY-CARDIAC-MOTION-RECORDING

    HCPCS Level II Q0035: Cardiokymography

    HCPCS-Q0081-INFUSION-THERAPY-NON-CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Level II Q0081: Infusion Therapy, Non‑Chemotherapeutic, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0083-CHEMOTHERAPY-NON-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS Q0083: Chemotherapy Administration, Non-Infusion Methods

    HCPCS-Q0084-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-ADMINISTRATION-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0084: Chemotherapy Infusion Administration, Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0085-CHEMOTHERAPY-INFUSION-PLUS-OTHER-TECHNIQUES-PER-VISIT

    HCPCS Q0085: Chemotherapy Infusion Plus Other Technique(s), Per Visit

    HCPCS-Q0091-PAP-SMEAR-SPECIMEN-COLLECTION-TRANSPORT

    HCPCS Q0091: Screening Papanicolaou Smear Collection and Transport

    HCPCS-Q0092-PORTABLE-XRAY-EQUIPMENT-SETUP

    HCPCS Q0092: Set-up Portable X-ray Equipment

    Showing 1–10 of 629

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    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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