FeeBase
Log inGet started
Menu

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

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 King County, WA, Medicare pays $79.09 for 29705 in the office and $43.84 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$79.09Office (non-facility)
$43.84Hospital or facility
+13.8%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 King County, WA
  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 King County, WA 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. King County, WA pays $79.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29705 in King County, WA vs other payment areas
  1. King County, WA · this page$79.09
  2. Rest of Washington · Washington$70.90−$8.19
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$76.42−$2.67
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$78.49−$0.60
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$77.77−$1.32
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$75.47−$3.62
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$80.15+$1.06

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

Every other payment area

29705 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$82.51$51.92
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

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 King County, WA 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

108

Locality
King County, WA
Physician work
1.050
Practice expense
1.227
Malpractice
0.817
Office calculation for 29705 in King County, WA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.74× 1.0500.7770
Practice expense1.21× 1.2271.4847
Malpractice0.13× 0.8170.1062
Total RVUs2.3679
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, King County, WA$79.09

Office: (0.74 × 1.05 + 1.21 × 1.227 + 0.13 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $79.09

Facility: (0.74 × 1.05 + 0.35 × 1.227 + 0.13 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $43.84

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, King County, WA
Same family
29700Cast removal, gauntlet or boot castRemoval or bivalving of a gauntlet or boot cast rather than a full arm or leg cast.$80.29
29710Spica cast removal, shoulder or hipRemoval or bivalving of a shoulder or hip spica cast.$156.18
Used instead
29730Cast adjustment, access openingUsed for a localized cast window when the cast remains in place.$76.42

How 29705 has changed in King County, WA

29705 · Office / nonfacility

$79.09

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $7.24 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $71.85 to $79.09 (10.1%).

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

    $71.85changed to$79.09

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.043 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.227
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.817

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $72.03changed to$71.85

    • 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

    $70.85changed to$72.03

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $70.97changed to$70.85

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.04
    • Work GPCI 1.039 changed to 1.043
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.220
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.815 changed to 0.853

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $70.69changed to$70.97

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.036 changed to 1.039
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.207
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.776 changed to 0.815

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $71.82changed to$70.69

    • 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

    $71.78changed to$71.82

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.036
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.170 changed to 1.194
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.854 changed to 0.776

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $72.22changed to$71.78

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.031
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.146 changed to 1.170
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.854

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $74.12changed to$72.22

    • 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. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $73.45changed to$74.12

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.01
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.151 changed to 1.146
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.713 changed to 0.931

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $72.38changed to$73.45

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.155 changed to 1.151
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.495 changed to 0.713

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $73.23changed to$72.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $72.87changed to$73.23

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $72.64changed to$72.87

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.14
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.150 changed to 1.155
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.688 changed to 0.495

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $73.69changed to$72.64

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.144 changed to 1.150
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.881 changed to 0.688

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $73.69

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$79.09$43.84RVU26D
2026-07-01$79.09$43.84RVU26C
2026-04-01$79.09$43.84RVU26B
2026-01-01$79.09$43.84RVU26A
2025-10-01$71.85$47.77RVU25D
2025-07-01$71.85$47.77RVU25C
2025-04-01$71.85$47.77RVU25B
2025-01-01$71.85$47.77RVU25A
2024-10-01$72.03$48.07RVU24D
2024-07-01$72.03$48.07RVU24C
2024-04-01$72.03$48.07RVU24B
2024-03-09$72.03$48.07RVU24AR
2024-01-01$70.85$47.28RVU24A
2023-10-01$70.97$48.48RVU23D
2023-07-01$70.97$48.48RVU23C
2023-04-01$70.97$48.48RVU23B
2023-01-01$70.97$48.48RVU23A
2022-10-01$70.69$48.38RVU22D
2022-07-01$70.69$48.38RVU22C
2022-04-01$70.69$48.38RVU22B
2022-01-01$70.69$48.38RVU22A
2021-10-01$71.82$49.74RVU21D
2021-07-01$71.82$49.74RVU21C
2021-04-01$71.82$49.74RVU21B
2021-01-01$71.82$49.74RVU21A
2020-10-01$71.78$50.25RVU20D
2020-07-01$71.78$50.25RVU20C
2020-04-01$71.78$50.25RVU20B
2020-01-01$71.78$50.25RVU20A
2019-10-01$72.22$50.74RVU19D
2019-07-01$72.22$50.74RVU19C
2019-04-01$72.22$50.74RVU19B
2019-01-01$72.22$50.74RVU19A
2018-10-01$74.12$51.43RVU18D
2018-07-01$74.12$51.43RVU18C
2018-04-01$74.12$51.43RVU18B
2018-01-01$74.12$51.43RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$73.45$50.73RVU17D
2017-07-01$73.45$50.73RVU17C
2017-04-01$73.45$50.73RVU17B
2017-01-01$73.45$50.73RVU17A
2016-10-01$72.38$49.63RVU16D
2016-07-01$72.38$49.63RVU16C
2016-04-01$72.38$49.63RVU16B
2016-01-01$72.38$49.63RVU16A
2015-10-01$73.23$49.99RVU15D
2015-07-01$73.23$49.99RVU15C
2015-04-01$72.87$49.74RVU15B
2015-01-01$72.87$49.74RVU15A
2014-10-01$72.64$49.98RVU14D
2014-07-01$72.64$49.98RVU14C
2014-04-01$72.64$49.98RVU14B
2014-01-01$72.64$49.98RVU14A
2013-10-01$73.69$49.56RVU13D
2013-07-01$73.69$49.56RVU13C
2013-04-01$73.69$49.56RVU13B
2013-01-01$73.69$49.56RVU13AR

Price 29705 for an earlier date of service

Where the King County, WA rate applies

King County, WA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 63 cities and communities in Washington. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Seattle
  • Algona
  • Ames Lake
  • 29705 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
  • Baring
  • Beaux Arts Village
  • Bellevue
  • Black Diamond

Browse all communities in Washington

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 King County, WAGPCI2026.csv, line 108 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 29705 pays in King County, WA?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 29705 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist