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

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 Houston, TX, Medicare pays $86.39 for 29126 in the office and $46.59 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$86.39Office (non-facility)
$46.59Hospital or facility
+1.0%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 Houston, TX
  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 Houston, TX 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. Houston, TX pays $86.39. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29126 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$86.39
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$88.71+$2.32
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$79.85−$6.54
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$84.48−$1.91
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$85.04−$1.35
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$84.47−$1.92
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$84.74−$1.65

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

Every other payment area

29126 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$82.13$44.09
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$96.46$49.05
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$97.80$50.58
Miami, FLFlorida$92.58$50.86
Chicago, ILIllinois$89.86$49.57
Manhattan, NYNew York$98.47$51.90
AlaskaAlaska$99.11$56.42
AlabamaAlabama$76.64$41.57

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 Houston, TX 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

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 29126 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.66× 1.0080.6653
Practice expense1.81× 0.9931.7973
Malpractice0.09× 1.3760.1238
Total RVUs2.5865
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$86.39

Office: (0.66 × 1.008 + 1.81 × 0.993 + 0.09 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $86.39

Facility: (0.66 × 1.008 + 0.61 × 0.993 + 0.09 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $46.59

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, Houston, TX
Same family
29125Short arm splint, staticStatic short-arm splint application; the key distinction is dynamic versus static design.$80.00
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.$99.08
29130Finger splint, static applicationFor a static finger splint when treatment is limited to a finger.$47.04
29131Splint application, dynamic fingerFor a dynamic finger splint when treatment is limited to a finger.$60.33

How 29126 has changed in Houston, TX

29126 · Office / nonfacility

$86.39

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.35 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $81.04 to $86.39 (6.6%).

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

    $81.04changed to$86.39

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $81.73changed to$81.04

    • 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

    $80.40changed to$81.73

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $80.85changed to$80.40

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.55 changed to 1.62
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $80.10changed to$80.85

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.48 changed to 1.55
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $78.97changed to$80.10

    • 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

    $80.06changed to$78.97

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $79.48changed to$80.06

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $80.49changed to$79.48

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

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $78.28changed to$80.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.39 changed to 1.45
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.08
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $79.03changed to$78.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.39
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $80.04changed to$79.03

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.44 changed to 1.42

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $79.64changed to$80.04

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $78.06changed to$79.64

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.39 changed to 1.44
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $79.67changed to$78.06

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.56 changed to 1.39
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $79.67

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$86.39$46.59RVU26D
2026-07-01$86.39$46.59RVU26C
2026-04-01$86.39$46.59RVU26B
2026-01-01$86.39$46.59RVU26A
2025-10-01$81.04$50.54RVU25D
2025-07-01$81.04$50.54RVU25C
2025-04-01$81.04$50.54RVU25B
2025-01-01$81.04$50.54RVU25A
2024-10-01$81.73$51.35RVU24D
2024-07-01$81.73$51.35RVU24C
2024-04-01$81.73$51.35RVU24B
2024-03-09$81.73$51.35RVU24AR
2024-01-01$80.40$50.51RVU24A
2023-10-01$80.85$51.24RVU23D
2023-07-01$80.85$51.24RVU23C
2023-04-01$80.85$51.24RVU23B
2023-01-01$80.85$51.24RVU23A
2022-10-01$80.10$50.90RVU22D
2022-07-01$80.10$50.90RVU22C
2022-04-01$80.10$50.90RVU22B
2022-01-01$80.10$50.90RVU22A
2021-10-01$78.97$50.25RVU21D
2021-07-01$78.97$50.25RVU21C
2021-04-01$78.97$50.25RVU21B
2021-01-01$78.97$50.25RVU21A
2020-10-01$80.06$51.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$80.06$51.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$80.06$51.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$80.06$51.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$79.48$50.67RVU19D
2019-07-01$79.48$50.67RVU19C
2019-04-01$79.48$50.67RVU19B
2019-01-01$79.48$50.67RVU19A
2018-10-01$80.49$50.98RVU18D
2018-07-01$80.49$50.98RVU18C
2018-04-01$80.49$50.98RVU18B
2018-01-01$80.49$50.98RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$78.28$50.04RVU17D
2017-07-01$78.28$50.04RVU17C
2017-04-01$78.28$50.04RVU17B
2017-01-01$78.28$50.04RVU17A
2016-10-01$79.03$50.22RVU16D
2016-07-01$79.03$50.22RVU16C
2016-04-01$79.03$50.22RVU16B
2016-01-01$79.03$50.22RVU16A
2015-10-01$80.04$50.76RVU15D
2015-07-01$80.04$50.76RVU15C
2015-04-01$79.64$50.51RVU15B
2015-01-01$79.64$50.51RVU15A
2014-10-01$78.06$50.00RVU14D
2014-07-01$78.06$50.00RVU14C
2014-04-01$78.06$50.00RVU14B
2014-01-01$78.06$50.00RVU14A
2013-10-01$79.67$49.67RVU13D
2013-07-01$79.67$49.67RVU13C
2013-04-01$79.67$49.67RVU13B
2013-01-01$79.67$49.67RVU13AR

Price 29126 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

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 Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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