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CPT code 29440: Cast walker, added to prior cast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Los Angeles, CA

Report this service when a clinician adds a walking support to a cast that has already been applied, allowing the patient to bear weight on it.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality14 Medicare services in 2024

In Los Angeles, CA, Medicare pays $48.63 for 29440 in the office and $26.90 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$48.63Office (non-facility)
$26.90Hospital or facility
+10.3%vs the national office rate ($44.09)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29440 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 29440 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Los Angeles, CA
  2. What 29440 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 29440 covers

This service modifies an existing cast by adding a walking support, such as a walker or walking heel, so the patient can bear weight on the cast. It is typically performed in an orthopedic or podiatry clinic or cast room when a lower-extremity cast is being converted for walking after its initial application.

Report 29440 for the addition to the previously applied cast, not for applying a new walking cast. Documentation should identify the existing cast, the support added, the treated side, and the clinical reason for the modification. 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 the others at 50%. For a bilateral service reported with modifier 50, payment is 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 Los Angeles, CA compares for 29440

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29440 runs from $39.94 in Arkansas to $55.85 in San Benito County, CA. Los Angeles, CA pays $48.63. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29440 in Los Angeles, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Los Angeles, CA · this page$48.63
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$46.07−$2.56
  3. Chico, CA · California$45.91−$2.72
  4. El Centro, CA · California$45.92−$2.71
  5. Fresno, CA · California$45.91−$2.72
  6. Hanford, CA · California$45.91−$2.72
  7. Madera, CA · California$45.91−$2.72

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

Every other payment area

29440 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Merced, CACalifornia$45.91$25.77
Modesto, CACalifornia$45.91$25.77
Napa, CACalifornia$51.99$27.77
Oxnard, CACalifornia$48.30$26.59
Redding, CACalifornia$45.91$25.77
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$45.91$25.77
Riverside, CACalifornia$46.46$26.32
Sacramento, CACalifornia$47.85$26.49

29440 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.

$39.94

$54.23

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

View every state and territory as a table
29440 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$54.231
AL$40.401
AR$39.941
AZ$43.111
CA$45.91–$55.8529
CO$45.471
CT$46.641
DC$49.511
DE$43.731
FL$43.89–$47.613
GA$41.85–$44.862
GU$46.641
HI$46.641
IA$41.071
ID$41.311
IL$42.97–$46.504
IN$41.501
KS$40.981
KY$41.311
LA$41.29–$42.922
MA$45.31–$49.272
MD$44.42–$49.513
ME$41.56–$43.262
MI$42.24–$44.402
MN$43.601
MO$40.77–$42.953
MS$40.361
MT$44.091
NC$41.901
ND$43.101
NE$41.221
NH$44.851
NJ$47.18–$49.182
NM$42.461
NV$43.831
NY$42.41–$51.205
OH$42.041
OK$41.181
OR$43.50–$46.592
PA$42.05–$45.722
PR$44.321
RI$45.051
SC$42.041
SD$42.981
TN$41.161
TX$41.84–$45.318
UT$42.501
VA$43.20–$49.512
VI$44.321
VT$43.031
WA$45.19–$50.102
WI$41.941
WV$41.701
WY$43.651

See 29440 in every payment locality

How the 29440 rate is calculated

Each of 29440’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 · 29440

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.56

0.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.71

0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.3200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$44.09

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

The exact Los Angeles, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,294

Code
29440
Physician work
0.56
Practice expense
0.71
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

13

Locality
Los Angeles, CA
Physician work
1.041
Practice expense
1.183
Malpractice
0.664
Office calculation for 29440 in Los Angeles, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.56× 1.0410.5830
Practice expense0.71× 1.1830.8399
Malpractice0.05× 0.6640.0332
Total RVUs1.4561
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Los Angeles, CA$48.63

Office: (0.56 × 1.041 + 0.71 × 1.183 + 0.05 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $48.63

Facility: (0.56 × 1.041 + 0.16 × 1.183 + 0.05 × 0.664) × $33.4009 = $26.90

Open 29440 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29440

The CMS indicators that decide how 29440 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29440

Cast walker, added to prior cast

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

29440 without 50 · national office

$44.09

Cast walker, added to prior cast

29440-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$66.14

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 29440

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

Codes related to 29440
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Los Angeles, CA
Used instead
29405Short leg cast, nonwalking castApplies a short leg cast; 29440 modifies a cast already applied.$97.97
29425Walking cast, short legApplies a short leg walking cast rather than adding a walker to an existing cast.$90.36
29435PTB cast, below kneeApplies a patellar tendon-bearing cast, a different cast service.$155.16

How 29440 has changed in Los Angeles, CA

29440 · Office / nonfacility

$48.63

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.10 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $47.53 to $48.63 (2.3%).

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

    $47.53changed to$48.63

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.57 changed to 0.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.041
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.690 changed to 0.664

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $48.34changed to$47.53

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.71
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $47.55changed to$48.34

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $47.67changed to$47.55

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.66 changed to 0.69
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.185 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.724 changed to 0.690

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $47.19changed to$47.67

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.66
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.175 changed to 1.185
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.724

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $47.58changed to$47.19

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $48.74changed to$47.58

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.62
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.048
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.175
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.725 changed to 0.757

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $49.21changed to$48.74

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.046 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.177 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.694 changed to 0.725

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $49.58changed to$49.21

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $49.42changed to$49.58

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.046
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.169 changed to 1.177
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.801 changed to 0.694

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $49.27changed to$49.42

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.161 changed to 1.169
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.801

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $49.45changed to$49.27

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $49.20changed to$49.45

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $49.63changed to$49.20

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.042 changed to 1.047
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.158 changed to 1.161
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.775 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $48.93changed to$49.63

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.63
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.042
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.158
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.642 changed to 0.775

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$48.93

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$48.63$26.90RVU26D
2026-07-01$48.63$26.90RVU26C
2026-04-01$48.63$26.90RVU26B
2026-01-01$48.63$26.90RVU26A
2025-10-01$47.53$28.60RVU25D
2025-07-01$47.53$28.60RVU25C
2025-04-01$47.53$28.60RVU25B
2025-01-01$47.53$28.60RVU25A
2024-10-01$48.34$29.66RVU24D
2024-07-01$48.34$29.66RVU24C
2024-04-01$48.34$29.66RVU24B
2024-03-09$48.34$29.66RVU24AR
2024-01-01$47.55$29.18RVU24A
2023-10-01$47.67$29.60RVU23D
2023-07-01$47.67$29.60RVU23C
2023-04-01$47.67$29.60RVU23B
2023-01-01$47.67$29.60RVU23A
2022-10-01$47.19$30.11RVU22D
2022-07-01$47.19$30.11RVU22C
2022-04-01$47.19$30.11RVU22B
2022-01-01$47.19$30.11RVU22A
2021-10-01$47.58$30.36RVU21D
2021-07-01$47.58$30.36RVU21C
2021-04-01$47.58$30.36RVU21B
2021-01-01$47.58$30.36RVU21A
2020-10-01$48.74$31.76RVU20D
2020-07-01$48.74$31.76RVU20C
2020-04-01$48.74$31.76RVU20B
2020-01-01$48.74$31.76RVU20A
2019-10-01$49.21$31.40RVU19D
2019-07-01$49.21$31.40RVU19C
2019-04-01$49.21$31.40RVU19B
2019-01-01$49.21$31.40RVU19A
2018-10-01$49.58$31.78RVU18D
2018-07-01$49.58$31.78RVU18C
2018-04-01$49.58$31.78RVU18B
2018-01-01$49.58$31.78RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$49.42$31.80RVU17D
2017-07-01$49.42$31.80RVU17C
2017-04-01$49.42$31.80RVU17B
2017-01-01$49.42$31.80RVU17A
2016-10-01$49.27$31.81RVU16D
2016-07-01$49.27$31.81RVU16C
2016-04-01$49.27$31.81RVU16B
2016-01-01$49.27$31.81RVU16A
2015-10-01$49.45$31.93RVU15D
2015-07-01$49.45$31.93RVU15C
2015-04-01$49.20$31.77RVU15B
2015-01-01$49.20$31.77RVU15A
2014-10-01$49.63$32.62RVU14D
2014-07-01$49.63$32.62RVU14C
2014-04-01$49.63$32.62RVU14B
2014-01-01$49.63$32.62RVU14A
2013-10-01$48.93$30.87RVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 29440 for an earlier date of service

Where the Los Angeles, CA rate applies

Los Angeles, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 189 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Anaheim
  • Long Beach
  • Los Angeles
  • Orange
  • Acton
  • Agoura Hills
  • Agua Dulce
  • Alhambra

Browse all communities in California

29440 billing questions

How is 29440 different from applying a walking cast?

29440 adds a walking support to a cast that is already in place. Use the applicable cast-application code when the service is applying a new walking cast.

What should the record show?

Document the existing cast, the walking support added, the treated side, and why the cast was modified for weight bearing.

Does the 0-day global period include same-day care?

Yes. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the service.

How is modifier 50 handled for bilateral service?

CMS pays a bilateral service reported with modifier 50 at 150%.

What happens when other procedures are performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are paid at 50%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 29440, and 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 29440PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,294 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Los Angeles, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 13 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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