CPT code 29365: Cylinder cast, knee immobilization2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $138.95 for 29365 nationally in the office and $82.17 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $122.13–$180.65.

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

What 29365 covers

A cylinder cast stabilizes the knee by extending around the leg above and below the joint, while leaving the foot free. Orthopedic clinicians and emergency physicians may apply one for selected knee injuries, including patellar fractures, when the treatment plan calls for cast immobilization rather than a brace or a cast that includes the foot. The service is typically performed in an office, emergency department, or other setting where the cast can be fitted and molded.

Select 29365 for the cylinder configuration, not solely because the knee is being treated. Document the indication, laterality, and cast extent so the record shows that the foot was left uncovered. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When bilateral casts are reported with modifier 50, CMS pays at 150%. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is 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.

Where 29365 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

29365 rates by state

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

How the 29365 rate is calculated

Each of 29365’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 29365

The CMS indicators that decide how 29365 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 50

29365 compared with similar codes

How to choose

29345Long-leg castStandard cast application

Use 29365 for a cylinder cast around the knee with the foot uncovered. Use 29345 when the long leg cast extends to the foot.

29355Walking castLong leg, thigh to toes

29355 describes application of a long leg walking cast; 29365 describes a cylinder cast that leaves the foot uncovered.

29358Cast braceLong leg, thigh to toes

29358 is for application of a long leg cast brace. Choose 29365 when the applied cast is the cylinder type around the knee.

29305Hip spica castOne leg

29305 is for a one-leg hip spica cast, which includes the hip region. 29365 is limited to a cylinder cast for knee immobilization.

Codes related to 29365

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

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates