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

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 Virginia, Medicare pays $132.53 for 29710 in the office and $69.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$132.53Office (non-facility)
$69.49Hospital or facility
−3.0%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 Virginia
  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 Virginia 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. Virginia pays $132.53. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29710 in Virginia vs other payment areas
  1. Virginia · this page$132.53
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$150.72+$18.19
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$154.91+$22.38
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$153.84+$21.31
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$149.01+$16.48
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$158.28+$25.75
  7. Alaska · Alaska$159.89+$27.36

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

Every other payment area

29710 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$122.22$66.10
ArkansasArkansas$120.41$65.33
ArizonaArizona$132.71$70.57
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$141.96$71.68
Chico, CACalifornia$141.22$70.93
El Centro, CACalifornia$141.26$70.98
Fresno, CACalifornia$141.22$70.93
Hanford, CACalifornia$141.22$70.93

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 Virginia 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

106

Locality
Virginia
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.983
Malpractice
0.706
Office calculation for 29710 in Virginia
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.31× 1.0001.3100
Practice expense2.51× 0.9832.4673
Malpractice0.27× 0.7060.1906
Total RVUs3.9679
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Virginia$132.53

Office: (1.31 × 1 + 2.51 × 0.983 + 0.27 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $132.53

Facility: (1.31 × 1 + 0.59 × 0.983 + 0.27 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $69.49

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, Virginia
Same family
29700Cast removal, gauntlet or boot castRemoval of a gauntlet, boot, or short-leg cast rather than a shoulder or hip spica.$67.45
29705Cast removal, full arm or leg castRemoval of a full arm or leg cast; the cast type distinguishes it from this service.$67.51
Used instead
29720Cast repair, body spica or jacketRepair a spica body cast or jacket when it is being maintained rather than removed.$95.61
29730Cast adjustment, access openingWindowing modifies an existing cast when access is needed without removing the whole cast.$65.30

How 29710 has changed in Virginia

29710 · Office / nonfacility

$132.53

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.24 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $120.29 to $132.53 (10.2%).

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

    $120.29changed to$132.53

    • 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 1.002 changed to 1.000
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $121.25changed to$120.29

    • 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

    $119.27changed to$121.25

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $122.08changed to$119.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 2.13
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $122.24changed to$122.08

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.96 changed to 2.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $122.60changed to$122.24

    • 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

    $124.04changed to$122.60

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $124.64changed to$124.04

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.90 changed to 1.87
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $126.28changed to$124.64

    • 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

    $122.59changed to$126.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.95
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $122.17changed to$122.59

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $125.26changed to$122.17

    • 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

    $124.64changed to$125.26

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $114.93changed to$124.64

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $122.44changed to$114.93

    • 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
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $122.44

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$132.53$69.49RVU26D
2026-07-01$132.53$69.49RVU26C
2026-04-01$132.53$69.49RVU26B
2026-01-01$132.53$69.49RVU26A
2025-10-01$120.29$77.96RVU25D
2025-07-01$120.29$77.96RVU25C
2025-04-01$120.29$77.96RVU25B
2025-01-01$120.29$77.96RVU25A
2024-10-01$121.25$79.32RVU24D
2024-07-01$121.25$79.32RVU24C
2024-04-01$121.25$79.32RVU24B
2024-03-09$121.25$79.32RVU24AR
2024-01-01$119.27$78.03RVU24A
2023-10-01$122.08$81.15RVU23D
2023-07-01$122.08$81.15RVU23C
2023-04-01$122.08$81.15RVU23B
2023-01-01$122.08$81.15RVU23A
2022-10-01$122.24$82.99RVU22D
2022-07-01$122.24$82.99RVU22C
2022-04-01$122.24$82.99RVU22B
2022-01-01$122.24$82.99RVU22A
2021-10-01$122.60$83.36RVU21D
2021-07-01$122.60$83.36RVU21C
2021-04-01$122.60$83.36RVU21B
2021-01-01$122.60$83.36RVU21A
2020-10-01$124.04$85.77RVU20D
2020-07-01$124.04$85.77RVU20C
2020-04-01$124.04$85.77RVU20B
2020-01-01$124.04$85.77RVU20A
2019-10-01$124.64$85.56RVU19D
2019-07-01$124.64$85.56RVU19C
2019-04-01$124.64$85.56RVU19B
2019-01-01$124.64$85.56RVU19A
2018-10-01$126.28$85.46RVU18D
2018-07-01$126.28$85.46RVU18C
2018-04-01$126.28$85.46RVU18B
2018-01-01$126.28$85.46RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$122.59$84.41RVU17D
2017-07-01$122.59$84.41RVU17C
2017-04-01$122.59$84.41RVU17B
2017-01-01$122.59$84.41RVU17A
2016-10-01$122.17$83.45RVU16D
2016-07-01$122.17$83.45RVU16C
2016-04-01$122.17$83.45RVU16B
2016-01-01$122.17$83.45RVU16A
2015-10-01$125.26$85.35RVU15D
2015-07-01$125.26$85.35RVU15C
2015-04-01$124.64$84.92RVU15B
2015-01-01$124.64$84.92RVU15A
2014-10-01$114.93$80.88RVU14D
2014-07-01$114.93$80.88RVU14C
2014-04-01$114.93$80.88RVU14B
2014-01-01$114.93$80.88RVU14A
2013-10-01$122.44$80.89RVU13D
2013-07-01$122.44$80.89RVU13C
2013-04-01$122.44$80.89RVU13B
2013-01-01$122.44$80.89RVU13AR

Price 29710 for an earlier date of service

Where the Virginia rate applies

Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbs Valley
  • Abingdon
  • Accomac
  • Adwolf
  • Afton
  • Alberta
  • Aldie
  • Allison Gap

Browse all communities in Virginia

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 VirginiaGPCI2026.csv, line 106 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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