CPT code 29515: Splint application, short leg2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Colorado

Report short leg splint application when a clinician immobilizes the lower leg, ankle, or foot, commonly for an acute injury requiring support.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality34.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Colorado, Medicare pays $85.41 for 29515 in the office and $50.58 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$85.41Office (non-facility)
$50.58Hospital or facility
+3.5%vs the national office rate ($82.50)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29515 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 29515 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Colorado
  2. What 29515 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 29515 covers

A clinician applies a short leg splint to immobilize the lower leg, ankle, or foot. In urgent care and emergency settings, it is commonly used for an acute ankle or foot injury when temporary immobilization is needed. The splint may also protect an injured area while the patient awaits further evaluation or definitive treatment. The application is distinct from strapping, which provides support without the same splint immobilization.

Report the service when the clinician applies the short leg splint and the documentation supports the affected site and need for immobilization. When splint application is part of definitive fracture treatment, it is included in that treatment rather than separately reported. This minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. If 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%. 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.

How Colorado compares for 29515

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29515 runs from $72.83 in Arkansas to $107.46 in San Benito County, CA. Colorado pays $85.41. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29515 in Colorado vs other payment areas
  1. Colorado · this page$85.41
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$92.15+$6.74
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$93.98+$8.57
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$90.87+$5.46
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$88.13+$2.72
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$95.24+$9.83
  7. Alaska · Alaska$96.12+$10.71

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

Every other payment area

29515 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$73.91$45.27
ArkansasArkansas$72.83$44.72
ArizonaArizona$80.22$48.51
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$86.64$50.77
Chico, CACalifornia$86.30$50.43
El Centro, CACalifornia$86.32$50.45
Fresno, CACalifornia$86.30$50.43
Hanford, CACalifornia$86.30$50.43

29515 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.

$72.83

$96.88

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

View every state and territory as a table
29515 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$96.121
AL$73.911
AR$72.831
AZ$80.221
CA$86.30–$107.4629
CO$85.411
CT$88.031
DC$93.981
DE$81.561
FL$82.11–$90.873
GA$77.35–$84.252
GU$88.321
HI$88.321
IA$75.431
ID$76.011
IL$79.99–$88.134
IN$76.441
KS$75.251
KY$76.081
LA$76.03–$79.812
MA$84.97–$93.662
MD$83.07–$93.983
ME$76.60–$80.532
MI$78.25–$83.332
MN$81.271
MO$74.84–$79.883
MS$73.841
MT$82.491
NC$77.381
ND$80.121
NE$75.791
NH$84.251
NJ$88.88–$93.032
NM$78.761
NV$81.891
NY$78.57–$97.815
OH$77.771
OK$75.751
OR$81.09–$87.932
PA$77.79–$85.952
PR$83.041
RI$84.331
SC$77.741
SD$79.841
TN$75.661
TX$77.29–$85.278
UT$78.801
VA$80.39–$93.982
VI$83.041
VT$79.971
WA$84.75–$95.392
WI$77.431
WV$77.051
WY$81.461

See 29515 in every payment locality

How the 29515 rate is calculated

Each of 29515’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 · 29515

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.71

0.71 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.64

1.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.4700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$82.50

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

The exact Colorado inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,298

Code
29515
Physician work
0.71
Practice expense
1.64
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

37

Locality
Colorado
Physician work
1.012
Practice expense
1.064
Malpractice
0.781
Office calculation for 29515 in Colorado
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.71× 1.0120.7185
Practice expense1.64× 1.0641.7450
Malpractice0.12× 0.7810.0937
Total RVUs2.5572
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Colorado$85.41

Office: (0.71 × 1.012 + 1.64 × 1.064 + 0.12 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $85.41

Facility: (0.71 × 1.012 + 0.66 × 1.064 + 0.12 × 0.781) × $33.4009 = $50.58

Open 29515 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29515

The CMS indicators that decide how 29515 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29515

Splint application, short leg

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

29515 without 50 · national office

$82.50

Splint application, short leg

29515-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$123.75

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 29515 has changed in Colorado

29515 · Office / nonfacility

$85.41

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $10.37 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $75.04 to $85.41 (13.8%).

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

    $75.04changed to$85.41

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.73 changed to 0.71
    • Practice expense RVU 1.41 changed to 1.64
    • Work GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.012
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.053 changed to 1.064
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.781

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $75.54changed to$75.04

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.37 changed to 1.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $74.31changed to$75.54

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $74.44changed to$74.31

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.31 changed to 1.37
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.053
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.797 changed to 0.827
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $73.14changed to$74.44

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.24 changed to 1.31
    • Work GPCI 1.001 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.047 changed to 1.050
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.767 changed to 0.797

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $73.01changed to$73.14

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.22 changed to 1.24

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $73.56changed to$73.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.22
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.001
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.033 changed to 1.047
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.905 changed to 0.767

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $74.08changed to$73.56

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.018 changed to 1.033
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.042 changed to 0.905

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $75.10changed to$74.08

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.24 changed to 1.21

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $74.81changed to$75.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.018
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.066 changed to 1.042

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $74.17changed to$74.81

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.23 changed to 1.24
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.090 changed to 1.066

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $74.44changed to$74.17

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $74.07changed to$74.44

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $73.36changed to$74.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.981 changed to 1.090

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $73.92changed to$73.36

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.981

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $73.92

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$85.41$50.58RVU26D
2026-07-01$85.41$50.58RVU26C
2026-04-01$85.41$50.58RVU26B
2026-01-01$85.41$50.58RVU26A
2025-10-01$75.04$49.83RVU25D
2025-07-01$75.04$49.83RVU25C
2025-04-01$75.04$49.83RVU25B
2025-01-01$75.04$49.83RVU25A
2024-10-01$75.54$50.66RVU24D
2024-07-01$75.54$50.66RVU24C
2024-04-01$75.54$50.66RVU24B
2024-03-09$75.54$50.66RVU24AR
2024-01-01$74.31$49.83RVU24A
2023-10-01$74.44$50.25RVU23D
2023-07-01$74.44$50.25RVU23C
2023-04-01$74.44$50.25RVU23B
2023-01-01$74.44$50.25RVU23A
2022-10-01$73.14$49.95RVU22D
2022-07-01$73.14$49.95RVU22C
2022-04-01$73.14$49.95RVU22B
2022-01-01$73.14$49.95RVU22A
2021-10-01$73.01$50.00RVU21D
2021-07-01$73.01$50.00RVU21C
2021-04-01$73.01$50.00RVU21B
2021-01-01$73.01$50.00RVU21A
2020-10-01$73.56$51.56RVU20D
2020-07-01$73.56$51.56RVU20C
2020-04-01$73.56$51.56RVU20B
2020-01-01$73.56$51.56RVU20A
2019-10-01$74.08$51.70RVU19D
2019-07-01$74.08$51.70RVU19C
2019-04-01$74.08$51.70RVU19B
2019-01-01$74.08$51.70RVU19A
2018-10-01$75.10$52.01RVU18D
2018-07-01$75.10$52.01RVU18C
2018-04-01$75.10$52.01RVU18B
2018-01-01$75.10$52.01RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$74.81$51.86RVU17D
2017-07-01$74.81$51.86RVU17C
2017-04-01$74.81$51.86RVU17B
2017-01-01$74.81$51.86RVU17A
2016-10-01$74.17$51.37RVU16D
2016-07-01$74.17$51.37RVU16C
2016-04-01$74.17$51.37RVU16B
2016-01-01$74.17$51.37RVU16A
2015-10-01$74.44$51.55RVU15D
2015-07-01$74.44$51.55RVU15C
2015-04-01$74.07$51.30RVU15B
2015-01-01$74.07$51.30RVU15A
2014-10-01$73.36$51.33RVU14D
2014-07-01$73.36$51.33RVU14C
2014-04-01$73.36$51.33RVU14B
2014-01-01$73.36$51.33RVU14A
2013-10-01$73.92$50.35RVU13D
2013-07-01$73.92$50.35RVU13C
2013-04-01$73.92$50.35RVU13B
2013-01-01$73.92$50.35RVU13AR

Price 29515 for an earlier date of service

Where the Colorado rate applies

Colorado is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 485 cities and communities in Colorado. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acres Green
  • Aetna Estates
  • Aguilar
  • Air Force Academy
  • Akron
  • Alamosa
  • Alamosa East
  • Allenspark

Browse all communities in Colorado

29515 billing questions

How is a short leg splint different from a long leg splint?

CPT 29515 is for a splint that supports the lower leg, ankle, or foot. Use 29505 when the splint extends above the knee.

Can I report 29515 with a fracture treatment code?

When the splint application is part of definitive fracture treatment, it is included in the fracture treatment service and is not separately reported.

Can an E/M service be billed on the same date?

A separately identifiable E/M service may be reported when supported by the documentation. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care for the splint application is included in its 0-day global period.

What modifier is used when splints are applied to both legs?

Use modifier 50 for bilateral application when the service is performed on both sides. CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

How does Medicare apply multiple procedure reduction?

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

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported for this service?

Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted for this code. 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 29515PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,298 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ColoradoGPCI2026.csv, line 37 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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