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CPT code 29126: Short-arm splint, dynamic2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee

Reports application of a dynamic forearm-to-hand splint that supports the wrist or hand while permitting controlled movement, rather than a static short-arm splint.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality897 Medicare services in 2024

In Tennessee, Medicare pays $78.61 for 29126 in the office and $42.18 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$78.61Office (non-facility)
$42.18Hospital or facility
−8.1%vs the national office rate ($85.51)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29126 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 29126 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Tennessee
  2. What 29126 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 29126 covers

CPT 29126 covers applying a dynamic splint that extends from the forearm to the hand and permits or assists controlled movement. It may be used when the wrist or hand needs guided support during treatment of stiffness, limited motion, or other upper-extremity conditions. Orthopedic and hand clinicians, including therapists working within their scope, may apply it in an office, rehabilitation setting, or facility.

Choose this code for a dynamic short-arm splint; 29125 is for a static short-arm splint, while long-arm or finger-only splints use different codes. Document the treated side, forearm-to-hand extent, dynamic features, clinical indication, and application performed. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Bilateral application with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Tennessee compares for 29126

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29126 runs from $75.52 in Arkansas to $113.26 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $78.61. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29126 in Tennessee vs other payment areas
  1. Tennessee · this page$78.61
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$96.46+$17.85
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$97.80+$19.19
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$92.58+$13.97
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$89.86+$11.25
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$98.47+$19.86
  7. Alaska · Alaska$99.11+$20.50

Other areas in Tennessee first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

29126 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$76.64$41.57
ArkansasArkansas$75.52$41.09
ArizonaArizona$83.20$44.36
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$90.55$46.62
Chico, CACalifornia$90.29$46.36
El Centro, CACalifornia$90.31$46.38
Fresno, CACalifornia$90.29$46.36
Hanford, CACalifornia$90.29$46.36

29126 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$75.52

$101.78

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
29126 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$99.111
AL$76.641
AR$75.521
AZ$83.201
CA$90.29–$113.2629
CO$88.981
CT$91.231
DC$97.801
DE$84.591
FL$84.36–$92.583
GA$79.55–$87.142
GU$92.521
HI$92.521
IA$78.551
ID$79.091
IL$81.94–$89.864
IN$79.551
KS$78.211
KY$78.541
LA$78.43–$82.352
MA$88.45–$97.812
MD$86.21–$97.803
ME$79.53–$83.852
MI$80.63–$85.452
MN$85.141
MO$77.09–$82.613
MS$76.321
MT$85.501
NC$80.371
ND$83.721
NE$78.981
NH$87.611
NJ$92.24–$96.772
NM$81.091
NV$85.061
NY$81.59–$100.925
OH$80.271
OK$78.371
OR$84.37–$91.802
PA$80.38–$88.962
PR$86.131
RI$87.601
SC$80.461
SD$83.511
TN$78.611
TX$79.85–$88.718
UT$81.571
VA$83.59–$97.802
VI$86.131
VT$83.421
WA$88.28–$99.782
WI$80.891
WV$78.881
WY$84.721

See 29126 in every payment locality

How the 29126 rate is calculated

Each of 29126’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 29126

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.66

0.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.81

1.81 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.09

0.09 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.5600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$85.51

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,278

Code
29126
Physician work
0.66
Practice expense
1.81
Malpractice
0.09

GPCI2026.csv

95

Locality
Tennessee
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.909
Malpractice
0.537
Office calculation for 29126 in Tennessee
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.66× 1.0000.6600
Practice expense1.81× 0.9091.6453
Malpractice0.09× 0.5370.0483
Total RVUs2.3536
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Tennessee$78.61

Office: (0.66 × 1 + 1.81 × 0.909 + 0.09 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $78.61

Facility: (0.66 × 1 + 0.61 × 0.909 + 0.09 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $42.18

Open 29126 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29126

The CMS indicators that decide how 29126 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29126

Short-arm splint, dynamic

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

29126 without 50 · national office

$85.51

Short-arm splint, dynamic

29126-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$128.27

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 29126

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 29126
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Tennessee
Same family
29125Short arm splint, staticStatic short-arm splint application; the key distinction is dynamic versus static design.$72.33
Used instead
29105Splint application, long arm, shoulder to handCovers a long-arm splint when the splint extends beyond the short-arm forearm-to-hand area.$88.61
29130Finger splint, static applicationFor a static finger splint when treatment is limited to a finger.$42.39
29131Splint application, dynamic fingerFor a dynamic finger splint when treatment is limited to a finger.$54.69

How 29126 has changed in Tennessee

29126 · Office / nonfacility

$78.61

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.45 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $72.16 to $78.61 (8.9%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $72.16changed to$78.61

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.68 changed to 0.66
    • Practice expense RVU 1.67 changed to 1.81
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $72.76changed to$72.16

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.62 changed to 1.67

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $71.58changed to$72.76

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $71.76changed to$71.58

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.55 changed to 1.62
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $70.92changed to$71.76

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.55
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $69.95changed to$70.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.43 changed to 1.48

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $71.84changed to$69.95

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $72.13changed to$71.84

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $73.03changed to$72.13

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.42

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$73.03

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$78.61$42.18RVU26D
2026-07-01$78.61$42.18RVU26C
2026-04-01$78.61$42.18RVU26B
2026-01-01$78.61$42.18RVU26A
2025-10-01$72.16$44.91RVU25D
2025-07-01$72.16$44.91RVU25C
2025-04-01$72.16$44.91RVU25B
2025-01-01$72.16$44.91RVU25A
2024-10-01$72.76$45.62RVU24D
2024-07-01$72.76$45.62RVU24C
2024-04-01$72.76$45.62RVU24B
2024-03-09$72.76$45.62RVU24AR
2024-01-01$71.58$44.88RVU24A
2023-10-01$71.76$45.70RVU23D
2023-07-01$71.76$45.70RVU23C
2023-04-01$71.76$45.70RVU23B
2023-01-01$71.76$45.70RVU23A
2022-10-01$70.92$45.61RVU22D
2022-07-01$70.92$45.61RVU22C
2022-04-01$70.92$45.61RVU22B
2022-01-01$70.92$45.61RVU22A
2021-10-01$69.95$45.05RVU21D
2021-07-01$69.95$45.05RVU21C
2021-04-01$69.95$45.05RVU21B
2021-01-01$69.95$45.05RVU21A
2020-10-01$71.84$46.59RVU20D
2020-07-01$71.84$46.59RVU20C
2020-04-01$71.84$46.59RVU20B
2020-01-01$71.84$46.59RVU20A
2019-10-01$72.13$46.48RVU19D
2019-07-01$72.13$46.48RVU19C
2019-04-01$72.13$46.48RVU19B
2019-01-01$72.13$46.48RVU19A
2018-10-01$73.03$46.75RVU18D
2018-07-01$73.03$46.75RVU18C
2018-04-01$73.03$46.75RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 29126 for an earlier date of service

Where the Tennessee rate applies

Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adams
  • Adamsville
  • Alamo
  • Alcoa
  • Alexandria
  • Algood
  • Allardt
  • Altamont

Browse all communities in Tennessee

29126 billing questions

How do I choose between 29126 and 29125?

Use 29126 when the short-arm splint is dynamic and permits or assists controlled movement. Use 29125 for a static short-arm splint.

What documentation supports 29126?

Document the clinical reason for splinting, the side and forearm-to-hand extent, the dynamic design, and the application performed.

How is bilateral application reported?

Report modifier 50 for bilateral application. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 29126. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

Does 29126 describe the splint device as well as its application?

The code identifies application of a dynamic short-arm splint. It does not by itself establish whether a particular device or supply is separately reportable.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 29126PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,278 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for TennesseeGPCI2026.csv, line 95 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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