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CPT code 29705: Cast removal, full arm or leg cast2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Tennessee

Report 29705 when a clinician removes or bivalves a full arm or leg cast, such as during fracture follow-up or to relieve cast pressure.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Tennessee, Medicare pays $63.79 for 29705 in the office and $37.67 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$63.79Office (non-facility)
$37.67Hospital or facility
−8.2%vs the national office rate ($69.47)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29705 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 29705 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Tennessee
  2. What 29705 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 29705 covers

This service covers removing a full arm or leg cast or bivalving it by cutting through the cast and padding to separate it into two sides. Orthopedic clinicians may perform it during fracture follow-up, when immobilization is changing, or when pressure or swelling calls for cast release. It can also allow access to examine the underlying area. The code is for a full arm or leg cast, rather than a gauntlet or boot cast or a shoulder or hip spica.

Select 29705 based on the cast type and the work performed. Document the body site, whether the cast was removed or bivalved, and the clinical reason. A 0-day global period means same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. In a session with multiple procedures, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 for a bilateral procedure is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; 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 Tennessee compares for 29705

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29705 runs from $61.67 in Arkansas to $88.04 in San Benito County, CA. Tennessee pays $63.79. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29705 in Tennessee vs other payment areas
  1. Tennessee · this page$63.79
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$76.42+$12.63
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$78.49+$14.70
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$77.77+$13.98
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$75.47+$11.68
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$80.15+$16.36
  7. Alaska · Alaska$82.51+$18.72

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

Every other payment area

29705 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$62.54$37.40
ArkansasArkansas$61.67$36.99
ArizonaArizona$67.60$39.76
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$72.13$40.64
Chico, CACalifornia$71.76$40.28
El Centro, CACalifornia$71.78$40.30
Fresno, CACalifornia$71.76$40.28
Hanford, CACalifornia$71.76$40.28

29705 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.

$61.67

$82.51

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

View every state and territory as a table
29705 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$82.511
AL$62.541
AR$61.671
AZ$67.601
CA$71.76–$88.0429
CO$71.411
CT$73.991
DC$78.491
DE$68.671
FL$69.88–$77.773
GA$65.94–$71.072
GU$73.181
HI$73.181
IA$63.421
ID$63.951
IL$68.40–$75.474
IN$64.291
KS$63.441
KY$64.621
LA$64.64–$67.682
MA$71.13–$77.852
MD$69.85–$78.493
ME$64.60–$67.512
MI$66.52–$71.042
MN$67.591
MO$63.78–$67.543
MS$62.721
MT$69.471
NC$65.201
ND$66.891
NE$63.661
NH$70.591
NJ$74.60–$77.792
NM$66.991
NV$68.791
NY$66.16–$82.425
OH$65.991
OK$64.181
OR$68.02–$73.242
PA$65.92–$72.412
PR$69.851
RI$70.811
SC$65.751
SD$66.591
TN$63.791
TX$65.53–$71.378
UT$66.611
VA$67.51–$78.492
VI$69.851
VT$66.921
WA$70.90–$79.092
WI$64.771
WV$66.051
WY$68.341

See 29705 in every payment locality

How the 29705 rate is calculated

Each of 29705’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 · 29705

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.74

0.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.21

1.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.13

0.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.0800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$69.47

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

The exact Tennessee inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,307

Code
29705
Physician work
0.74
Practice expense
1.21
Malpractice
0.13

GPCI2026.csv

95

Locality
Tennessee
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.909
Malpractice
0.537
Office calculation for 29705 in Tennessee
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.74× 1.0000.7400
Practice expense1.21× 0.9091.0999
Malpractice0.13× 0.5370.0698
Total RVUs1.9097
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Tennessee$63.79

Office: (0.74 × 1 + 1.21 × 0.909 + 0.13 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $63.79

Facility: (0.74 × 1 + 0.35 × 0.909 + 0.13 × 0.537) × $33.4009 = $37.67

Open 29705 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29705

The CMS indicators that decide how 29705 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29705

Cast removal, full arm or leg 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

29705 without 50 · national office

$69.47

Cast removal, full arm or leg cast

29705-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$104.21

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 29705

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

Codes related to 29705
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Tennessee
Same family
29700Cast removal, gauntlet or boot castRemoval or bivalving of a gauntlet or boot cast rather than a full arm or leg cast.$63.43
29710Spica cast removal, shoulder or hipRemoval or bivalving of a shoulder or hip spica cast.$124.81
Used instead
29730Cast adjustment, access openingUsed for a localized cast window when the cast remains in place.$61.75

How 29705 has changed in Tennessee

29705 · Office / nonfacility

$63.79

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $5.62 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $58.17 to $63.79 (9.7%).

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

    $58.17changed to$63.79

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.76 changed to 0.74
    • Practice expense RVU 1.08 changed to 1.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.909
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.544 changed to 0.537

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $58.49changed to$58.17

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $57.54changed to$58.49

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $58.16changed to$57.54

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.894 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.544

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $58.42changed to$58.16

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.894
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $59.25changed to$58.42

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $60.20changed to$59.25

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.892
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.509 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $61.16changed to$60.20

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.901 changed to 0.897
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.526 changed to 0.509

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $62.58changed to$61.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.01 changed to 0.97
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$62.58

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$63.79$37.67RVU26D
2026-07-01$63.79$37.67RVU26C
2026-04-01$63.79$37.67RVU26B
2026-01-01$63.79$37.67RVU26A
2025-10-01$58.17$40.49RVU25D
2025-07-01$58.17$40.49RVU25C
2025-04-01$58.17$40.49RVU25B
2025-01-01$58.17$40.49RVU25A
2024-10-01$58.49$40.89RVU24D
2024-07-01$58.49$40.89RVU24C
2024-04-01$58.49$40.89RVU24B
2024-03-09$58.49$40.89RVU24AR
2024-01-01$57.54$40.23RVU24A
2023-10-01$58.16$41.49RVU23D
2023-07-01$58.16$41.49RVU23C
2023-04-01$58.16$41.49RVU23B
2023-01-01$58.16$41.49RVU23A
2022-10-01$58.42$41.76RVU22D
2022-07-01$58.42$41.76RVU22C
2022-04-01$58.42$41.76RVU22B
2022-01-01$58.42$41.76RVU22A
2021-10-01$59.25$42.76RVU21D
2021-07-01$59.25$42.76RVU21C
2021-04-01$59.25$42.76RVU21B
2021-01-01$59.25$42.76RVU21A
2020-10-01$60.20$43.69RVU20D
2020-07-01$60.20$43.69RVU20C
2020-04-01$60.20$43.69RVU20B
2020-01-01$60.20$43.69RVU20A
2019-10-01$61.16$44.28RVU19D
2019-07-01$61.16$44.28RVU19C
2019-04-01$61.16$44.28RVU19B
2019-01-01$61.16$44.28RVU19A
2018-10-01$62.58$44.74RVU18D
2018-07-01$62.58$44.74RVU18C
2018-04-01$62.58$44.74RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 29705 for an earlier date of service

Where the Tennessee rate applies

Tennessee is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 504 cities and communities in Tennessee. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Tennessee

29705 billing questions

How does 29705 differ from 29700?

Use 29705 for a full arm or leg cast. Code 29700 is for removal or bivalving of a gauntlet or boot cast.

When is 29710 the better choice?

Use 29710 for a shoulder or hip spica cast. The cast type, not simply the body area being treated, distinguishes it from 29705.

Is opening a window in a cast reported with 29705?

A localized opening that leaves the cast in place is cast windowing, reported with 29730. Code 29705 describes removal or bivalving of a full arm or leg cast.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral cast work?

CMS lists this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document the bilateral service.

How is 29705 paid when other procedures are performed in the same session?

The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and the other procedures are paid at 50%. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

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 29705PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,307 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for TennesseeGPCI2026.csv, line 95 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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