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CPT code 29710: Spica cast removal, shoulder or hip2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Removal of a shoulder or hip spica cast after immobilization ends or treatment changes, reported for the cast-removal service.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality20 Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $139.76 for 29710 in the office and $76.08 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$139.76Office (non-facility)
$76.08Hospital or facility
+2.3%vs the national office rate ($136.61)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29710 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 29710 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 29710 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 29710 covers

This service covers taking off a shoulder or hip spica cast, which immobilizes the shoulder or hip and may extend along the arm or leg. It is commonly performed by an orthopedic surgeon or other clinician involved in fracture or musculoskeletal care, such as when a patient’s immobilization period is complete or the treatment plan changes. Spica casts are used in situations such as pediatric hip or femur treatment; the code is selected by the type of cast removed, not by the diagnosis alone.

Documentation should identify the spica cast removed and support why removal was performed. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. A bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; 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 Houston, TX compares for 29710

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29710 runs from $120.41 in Arkansas to $174.29 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $139.76. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29710 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$139.76
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$140.53+$0.77
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$128.42−$11.34
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$134.22−$5.54
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$135.39−$4.37
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$134.67−$5.09
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$134.82−$4.94

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

Every other payment area

29710 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$131.46$70.60
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$150.72$74.85
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$154.91$79.37
Miami, FLFlorida$153.84$87.08
Chicago, ILIllinois$149.01$84.56
Manhattan, NYNew York$158.28$83.76
AlaskaAlaska$159.89$91.59
AlabamaAlabama$122.22$66.10

29710 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.

$120.41

$159.89

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

View every state and territory as a table
29710 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$159.891
AL$122.221
AR$120.411
AZ$132.711
CA$141.22–$174.2929
CO$140.531
CT$145.831
DC$154.911
DE$134.911
FL$137.46–$153.843
GA$129.29–$139.892
GU$144.301
HI$144.301
IA$124.051
ID$125.151
IL$134.39–$149.014
IN$125.851
KS$124.091
KY$126.541
LA$126.59–$132.892
MA$139.92–$153.682
MD$137.31–$154.913
ME$126.49–$132.532
MI$130.48–$139.862
MN$132.691
MO$124.81–$132.603
MS$122.601
MT$136.591
NC$127.741
ND$131.251
NE$124.541
NH$138.921
NJ$146.95–$153.392
NM$131.461
NV$135.191
NY$129.74–$162.985
OH$129.391
OK$125.631
OR$133.60–$144.312
PA$129.24–$142.582
PR$137.401
RI$139.231
SC$128.891
SD$130.621
TN$124.811
TX$128.42–$140.538
UT$130.661
VA$132.53–$154.912
VI$137.401
VT$131.321
WA$139.47–$156.182
WI$126.851
WV$129.511
WY$134.261

See 29710 in every payment locality

How the 29710 rate is calculated

Each of 29710’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 · 29710

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.31

1.31 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.51

2.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.27

0.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.0900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$136.61

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,308

Code
29710
Physician work
1.31
Practice expense
2.51
Malpractice
0.27

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 29710 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.31× 1.0081.3205
Practice expense2.51× 0.9932.4924
Malpractice0.27× 1.3760.3715
Total RVUs4.1844
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$139.76

Office: (1.31 × 1.008 + 2.51 × 0.993 + 0.27 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $139.76

Facility: (1.31 × 1.008 + 0.59 × 0.993 + 0.27 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $76.08

Open 29710 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29710

The CMS indicators that decide how 29710 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29710

Spica cast removal, shoulder or hip

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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
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

29710 without 50 · national office

$136.61

Spica cast removal, shoulder or hip

29710-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$204.92

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 29710

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

Codes related to 29710
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Same family
29700Cast removal, gauntlet or boot castRemoval of a gauntlet, boot, or short-leg cast rather than a shoulder or hip spica.$70.09
29705Cast removal, full arm or leg castRemoval of a full arm or leg cast; the cast type distinguishes it from this service.$71.02
Used instead
29720Cast repair, body spica or jacketRepair a spica body cast or jacket when it is being maintained rather than removed.$99.63
29730Cast adjustment, access openingWindowing modifies an existing cast when access is needed without removing the whole cast.$68.57

How 29710 has changed in Houston, TX

29710 · Office / nonfacility

$139.76

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $11.67 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $128.09 to $139.76 (9.1%).

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

    $128.09changed to$139.76

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.34 changed to 1.31
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.51
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $129.01changed to$128.09

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.13 changed to 2.20
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $126.90changed to$129.01

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $127.94changed to$126.90

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.13
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $126.06changed to$127.94

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 2.06
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $126.43changed to$126.06

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.95 changed to 1.96
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $127.40changed to$126.43

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $127.66changed to$127.40

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.90 changed to 1.87
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $129.34changed to$127.66

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.95 changed to 1.90

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $125.94changed to$129.34

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $125.86changed to$125.94

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 1.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.27
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $129.15changed to$125.86

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.94 changed to 1.89
    • Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.26

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $128.50changed to$129.15

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $118.56changed to$128.50

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.70 changed to 1.94
    • Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $126.41changed to$118.56

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.11 changed to 1.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $126.41

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$139.76$76.08RVU26D
2026-07-01$139.76$76.08RVU26C
2026-04-01$139.76$76.08RVU26B
2026-01-01$139.76$76.08RVU26A
2025-10-01$128.09$84.94RVU25D
2025-07-01$128.09$84.94RVU25C
2025-04-01$128.09$84.94RVU25B
2025-01-01$128.09$84.94RVU25A
2024-10-01$129.01$86.27RVU24D
2024-07-01$129.01$86.27RVU24C
2024-04-01$129.01$86.27RVU24B
2024-03-09$129.01$86.27RVU24AR
2024-01-01$126.90$84.86RVU24A
2023-10-01$127.94$85.93RVU23D
2023-07-01$127.94$85.93RVU23C
2023-04-01$127.94$85.93RVU23B
2023-01-01$127.94$85.93RVU23A
2022-10-01$126.06$85.47RVU22D
2022-07-01$126.06$85.47RVU22C
2022-04-01$126.06$85.47RVU22B
2022-01-01$126.06$85.47RVU22A
2021-10-01$126.43$85.86RVU21D
2021-07-01$126.43$85.86RVU21C
2021-04-01$126.43$85.86RVU21B
2021-01-01$126.43$85.86RVU21A
2020-10-01$127.40$88.01RVU20D
2020-07-01$127.40$88.01RVU20C
2020-04-01$127.40$88.01RVU20B
2020-01-01$127.40$88.01RVU20A
2019-10-01$127.66$87.54RVU19D
2019-07-01$127.66$87.54RVU19C
2019-04-01$127.66$87.54RVU19B
2019-01-01$127.66$87.54RVU19A
2018-10-01$129.34$87.45RVU18D
2018-07-01$129.34$87.45RVU18C
2018-04-01$129.34$87.45RVU18B
2018-01-01$129.34$87.45RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$125.94$86.83RVU17D
2017-07-01$125.94$86.83RVU17C
2017-04-01$125.94$86.83RVU17B
2017-01-01$125.94$86.83RVU17A
2016-10-01$125.86$86.23RVU16D
2016-07-01$125.86$86.23RVU16C
2016-04-01$125.86$86.23RVU16B
2016-01-01$125.86$86.23RVU16A
2015-10-01$129.15$88.30RVU15D
2015-07-01$129.15$88.30RVU15C
2015-04-01$128.50$87.86RVU15B
2015-01-01$128.50$87.86RVU15A
2014-10-01$118.56$83.68RVU14D
2014-07-01$118.56$83.68RVU14C
2014-04-01$118.56$83.68RVU14B
2014-01-01$118.56$83.68RVU14A
2013-10-01$126.41$83.80RVU13D
2013-07-01$126.41$83.80RVU13C
2013-04-01$126.41$83.80RVU13B
2013-01-01$126.41$83.80RVU13AR

Price 29710 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

29710 billing questions

How is this different from removal of a full arm or leg cast?

Use 29710 for a shoulder or hip spica cast. Code 29705 is for removal of a full arm or leg cast.

Can cast removal and application of a new spica cast be reported together?

When a new shoulder spica is applied during the same encounter, removal and application may represent distinct services. Document the cast removed and the new cast application.

Does the code include same-day care?

Yes. Its 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.

When is modifier 50 appropriate?

CMS treats the procedure as bilateral when modifier 50 is reported and pays it at 150%. A single spica cast that happens to extend across both sides is not, by itself, proof of separately performed bilateral services.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.

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 29710PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,308 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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