CPT code 29355: Walking cast, long leg, thigh to toes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina

Application of a long-leg walking cast extending from thigh to toes, selected when the cast is configured to permit ambulation during immobilization.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality91 Medicare services in 2024

In North Carolina, Medicare pays $144.87 for 29355 in the office and $90.96 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$144.87Office (non-facility)
$90.96Hospital or facility
−6.3%vs the national office rate ($154.65)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29355 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 29355 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in North Carolina
  2. What 29355 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 29355 covers

This service covers applying a long-leg cast that extends from the thigh to the toes and is configured to permit walking. Orthopedic surgeons and other clinicians who manage musculoskeletal injuries may apply it in an office or other treatment setting when an injury requires immobilization across the knee and lower leg but the patient can ambulate in the cast. Selected lower-extremity fractures are a typical reason for this form of immobilization.

Report the code when the documented cast spans the thigh to the toes and has a walking configuration; a standard long-leg cast without that feature is distinguished by code 29345. Document the treated side, cast extent, walking design, and clinical reason for immobilization. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are reduced to 50%. For bilateral application, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted; 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 North Carolina compares for 29355

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29355 runs from $136.64 in Arkansas to $198.00 in San Benito County, CA. North Carolina pays $144.87. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29355 in North Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. North Carolina · this page$144.87
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$171.03+$26.16
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$175.39+$30.52
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$172.86+$27.99
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$167.58+$22.71
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$178.79+$33.92
  7. Alaska · Alaska$181.54+$36.67

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

Every other payment area

29355 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$138.65$88.09
ArkansasArkansas$136.64$87.01
ArizonaArizona$150.34$94.35
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$161.11$97.77
Chico, CACalifornia$160.32$96.99
El Centro, CACalifornia$160.37$97.04
Fresno, CACalifornia$160.32$96.99
Hanford, CACalifornia$160.32$96.99

29355 rates by state

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

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.

$136.64

$181.54

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

View every state and territory as a table
29355 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$181.541
AL$138.651
AR$136.641
AZ$150.341
CA$160.32–$198.0029
CO$159.311
CT$164.961
DC$175.391
DE$152.801
FL$155.15–$172.863
GA$146.12–$158.202
GU$163.801
HI$163.801
IA$140.891
ID$142.081
IL$151.60–$167.584
IN$142.871
KS$140.841
KY$143.251
LA$143.27–$150.282
MA$158.61–$174.192
MD$155.52–$175.393
ME$143.47–$150.342
MI$147.54–$157.722
MN$150.831
MO$141.22–$150.083
MS$138.931
MT$154.631
NC$144.871
ND$149.091
NE$141.471
NH$157.391
NJ$166.33–$173.702
NM$148.601
NV$153.181
NY$147.09–$183.905
OH$146.411
OK$142.341
OR$151.49–$163.652
PA$146.30–$161.262
PR$155.561
RI$157.731
SC$145.981
SD$148.441
TN$141.621
TX$145.38–$159.228
UT$147.961
VA$150.27–$175.392
VI$155.561
VT$149.071
WA$158.12–$177.112
WI$144.161
WV$146.161
WY$152.211

See 29355 in every payment locality

How the 29355 rate is calculated

Each of 29355’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 · 29355

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.49

1.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.86

2.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.28

0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.6300

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$154.65

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

The exact North Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,288

Code
29355
Physician work
1.49
Practice expense
2.86
Malpractice
0.28

GPCI2026.csv

83

Locality
North Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.933
Malpractice
0.639
Office calculation for 29355 in North Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.49× 1.0001.4900
Practice expense2.86× 0.9332.6684
Malpractice0.28× 0.6390.1789
Total RVUs4.3373
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, North Carolina$144.87

Office: (1.49 × 1 + 2.86 × 0.933 + 0.28 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $144.87

Facility: (1.49 × 1 + 1.13 × 0.933 + 0.28 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $90.96

Open 29355 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29355

The CMS indicators that decide how 29355 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29355

Walking cast, long leg, thigh to toes

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

29355 without 50 · national office

$154.65

Walking cast, long leg, thigh to toes

29355-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$231.98

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

How 29355 has changed in North Carolina

29355 · Office / nonfacility

$144.87

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $132.49 to $144.87 (9.3%).

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

    $132.49changed to$144.87

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.53 changed to 1.49
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.86
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $134.63changed to$132.49

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.50 changed to 2.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $132.43changed to$134.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $136.42changed to$132.43

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.46 changed to 2.50
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $136.31changed to$136.42

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.34 changed to 2.46
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $137.73changed to$136.31

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $137.38changed to$137.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.34
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $136.72changed to$137.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 2.22
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $136.32changed to$136.72

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $136.44changed to$136.32

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.26
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $136.40changed to$136.44

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $137.23changed to$136.40

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.23 changed to 2.22

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $136.55changed to$137.23

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $136.36changed to$136.55

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.929 changed to 0.930
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $136.81changed to$136.36

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.47 changed to 2.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.929
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $136.81

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$144.87$90.96RVU26D
2026-07-01$144.87$90.96RVU26C
2026-04-01$144.87$90.96RVU26B
2026-01-01$144.87$90.96RVU26A
2025-10-01$132.49$97.45RVU25D
2025-07-01$132.49$97.45RVU25C
2025-04-01$132.49$97.45RVU25B
2025-01-01$132.49$97.45RVU25A
2024-10-01$134.63$99.80RVU24D
2024-07-01$134.63$99.80RVU24C
2024-04-01$134.63$99.80RVU24B
2024-03-09$134.63$99.80RVU24AR
2024-01-01$132.43$98.17RVU24A
2023-10-01$136.42$101.55RVU23D
2023-07-01$136.42$101.55RVU23C
2023-04-01$136.42$101.55RVU23B
2023-01-01$136.42$101.55RVU23A
2022-10-01$136.31$102.92RVU22D
2022-07-01$136.31$102.92RVU22C
2022-04-01$136.31$102.92RVU22B
2022-01-01$136.31$102.92RVU22A
2021-10-01$137.73$104.38RVU21D
2021-07-01$137.73$104.38RVU21C
2021-04-01$137.73$104.38RVU21B
2021-01-01$137.73$104.38RVU21A
2020-10-01$137.38$105.16RVU20D
2020-07-01$137.38$105.16RVU20C
2020-04-01$137.38$105.16RVU20B
2020-01-01$137.38$105.16RVU20A
2019-10-01$136.72$104.18RVU19D
2019-07-01$136.72$104.18RVU19C
2019-04-01$136.72$104.18RVU19B
2019-01-01$136.72$104.18RVU19A
2018-10-01$136.32$103.81RVU18D
2018-07-01$136.32$103.81RVU18C
2018-04-01$136.32$103.81RVU18B
2018-01-01$136.32$103.81RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$136.44$104.37RVU17D
2017-07-01$136.44$104.37RVU17C
2017-04-01$136.44$104.37RVU17B
2017-01-01$136.44$104.37RVU17A
2016-10-01$136.40$104.10RVU16D
2016-07-01$136.40$104.10RVU16C
2016-04-01$136.40$104.10RVU16B
2016-01-01$136.40$104.10RVU16A
2015-10-01$137.23$104.81RVU15D
2015-07-01$137.23$104.81RVU15C
2015-04-01$136.55$104.29RVU15B
2015-01-01$136.55$104.29RVU15A
2014-10-01$136.36$104.42RVU14D
2014-07-01$136.36$104.42RVU14C
2014-04-01$136.36$104.42RVU14B
2014-01-01$136.36$104.42RVU14A
2013-10-01$136.81$102.44RVU13D
2013-07-01$136.81$102.44RVU13C
2013-04-01$136.81$102.44RVU13B
2013-01-01$136.81$102.44RVU13AR

Price 29355 for an earlier date of service

Where the North Carolina rate applies

North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Aberdeen
  • Advance
  • Ahoskie
  • Alamance
  • Albemarle
  • Alexis
  • Alliance
  • Altamahaw

Browse all communities in North Carolina

29355 billing questions

How does this differ from code 29345?

Use 29355 when the long-leg cast is configured for walking. Code 29345 describes a long-leg cast without that walking designation.

What documentation supports reporting 29355?

Document that the cast extends from the thigh to the toes, is configured for walking, and is needed for the treated injury. Record the side treated.

Is same-day care included?

Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

How is bilateral application reported?

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

How does the multiple procedure rule affect payment?

When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are paid at 50%.

Can an assistant or surgical team be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 29355PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,288 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for North CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 83 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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