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CPT code 29720: Cast repair, body spica or jacket2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Report repair of a damaged body spica cast or jacket when the existing immobilization is restored rather than removed or revised.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $99.63 for 29720 in the office and $40.60 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$99.63Office (non-facility)
$40.60Hospital or facility
+1.5%vs the national office rate ($98.20)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29720 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 29720 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 29720 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 29720 covers

This service covers restoring a damaged body spica cast or jacket so it can continue to immobilize the torso and affected body area. It may involve reinforcing or replacing a damaged section while preserving the existing cast. Orthopedic clinicians commonly provide or direct this cast care in an office or other treatment setting when a cast has cracked, softened, or otherwise lost structural integrity.

Select this code when the documented work repairs the existing spica cast or jacket, rather than removing it or changing its shape or access. The note should identify the cast, the damage, and the repair performed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; assistant-at-surgery services are not paid, and 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 29720

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29720 runs from $85.85 in Arkansas to $130.05 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $99.63. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29720 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$99.63
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$101.86+$2.23
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$91.43−$8.20
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$96.70−$2.93
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$97.45−$2.18
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$96.79−$2.84
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$97.07−$2.56

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

Every other payment area

29720 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$94.10$37.68
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$110.61$40.28
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$112.64$42.60
Miami, FLFlorida$108.28$46.39
Chicago, ILIllinois$104.77$45.02
Manhattan, NYNew York$113.93$44.84
AlaskaAlaska$111.77$48.45
AlabamaAlabama$87.23$35.21

29720 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.

$85.85

$116.66

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

View every state and territory as a table
29720 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$111.771
AL$87.231
AR$85.851
AZ$95.311
CA$103.27–$130.0529
CO$102.011
CT$105.131
DC$112.641
DE$96.981
FL$97.41–$108.283
GA$91.38–$100.352
GU$106.021
HI$106.021
IA$89.301
ID$90.021
IL$94.61–$104.774
IN$90.581
KS$89.021
KY$89.871
LA$89.78–$94.622
MA$101.39–$112.452
MD$98.89–$112.643
ME$90.71–$95.832
MI$92.58–$98.902
MN$96.981
MO$88.21–$94.783
MS$87.041
MT$98.191
NC$91.721
ND$95.421
NE$89.791
NH$100.541
NJ$106.11–$111.342
NM$93.211
NV$97.491
NY$93.24–$117.135
OH$92.021
OK$89.511
OR$96.52–$105.292
PA$92.08–$102.432
PR$98.911
RI$100.471
SC$92.061
SD$95.091
TN$89.531
TX$91.43–$101.868
UT$93.431
VA$95.61–$112.642
VI$98.911
VT$95.171
WA$101.16–$114.672
WI$91.961
WV$90.851
WY$96.981

See 29720 in every payment locality

How the 29720 rate is calculated

Each of 29720’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 · 29720

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.66

0.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.14

2.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.14

0.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.9400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$98.20

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

3,309

Code
29720
Physician work
0.66
Practice expense
2.14
Malpractice
0.14

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 29720 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.66× 1.0080.6653
Practice expense2.14× 0.9932.1250
Malpractice0.14× 1.3760.1926
Total RVUs2.9829
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$99.63

Office: (0.66 × 1.008 + 2.14 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $99.63

Facility: (0.66 × 1.008 + 0.36 × 0.993 + 0.14 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $40.60

Open 29720 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29720

The CMS indicators that decide how 29720 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 29720

Cast repair, body spica or jacket

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)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
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 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

29720 without 51 · national office

$98.20

Cast repair, body spica or jacket

29720-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$49.10

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 29720

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

Codes related to 29720
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Used instead
29710Spica cast removal, shoulder or hipRemoval may be reported when a spica cast is taken off instead of repaired.$139.76
29730Cast adjustment, access openingCast windowing applies when the work creates an access opening rather than repairing damage.$68.57
29740Cast wedging, alignment adjustmentCast wedging applies when the work changes cast alignment or shape rather than repairing damage.$112.15
29799Unlisted casting, casting or strappingConsider the unlisted casting code only when no specific code describes the documented service.No office rate

How 29720 has changed in Houston, TX

29720 · Office / nonfacility

$99.63

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $9.50 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $90.13 to $99.63 (10.5%).

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

    $90.13changed to$99.63

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.68 changed to 0.66
    • Practice expense RVU 1.88 changed to 2.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $90.62changed to$90.13

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.83 changed to 1.88
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.15

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $89.14changed to$90.62

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $89.64changed to$89.14

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.76 changed to 1.83
    • 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

    $87.49changed to$89.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.67 changed to 1.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $88.13changed to$87.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.65 changed to 1.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $87.28changed to$88.13

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.57 changed to 1.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $87.71changed to$87.28

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.59 changed to 1.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • 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

    $89.07changed to$87.71

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.59

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $87.95changed to$89.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.61 changed to 1.63
    • 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

    $87.59changed to$87.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • 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

    $88.61changed to$87.59

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.62 changed to 1.61
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $88.17changed to$88.61

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $85.95changed to$88.17

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.60 changed to 1.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $86.09changed to$85.95

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.73 changed to 1.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • 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: $86.09

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$99.63$40.60RVU26D
2026-07-01$99.63$40.60RVU26C
2026-04-01$99.63$40.60RVU26B
2026-01-01$99.63$40.60RVU26A
2025-10-01$90.13$45.36RVU25D
2025-07-01$90.13$45.36RVU25C
2025-04-01$90.13$45.36RVU25B
2025-01-01$90.13$45.36RVU25A
2024-10-01$90.62$45.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$90.62$45.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$90.62$45.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$90.62$45.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$89.14$45.13RVU24A
2023-10-01$89.64$45.57RVU23D
2023-07-01$89.64$45.57RVU23C
2023-04-01$89.64$45.57RVU23B
2023-01-01$89.64$45.57RVU23A
2022-10-01$87.49$44.40RVU22D
2022-07-01$87.49$44.40RVU22C
2022-04-01$87.49$44.40RVU22B
2022-01-01$87.49$44.40RVU22A
2021-10-01$88.13$45.40RVU21D
2021-07-01$88.13$45.40RVU21C
2021-04-01$88.13$45.40RVU21B
2021-01-01$88.13$45.40RVU21A
2020-10-01$87.28$46.05RVU20D
2020-07-01$87.28$46.05RVU20C
2020-04-01$87.28$46.05RVU20B
2020-01-01$87.28$46.05RVU20A
2019-10-01$87.71$46.50RVU19D
2019-07-01$87.71$46.50RVU19C
2019-04-01$87.71$46.50RVU19B
2019-01-01$87.71$46.50RVU19A
2018-10-01$89.07$46.45RVU18D
2018-07-01$89.07$46.45RVU18C
2018-04-01$89.07$46.45RVU18B
2018-01-01$89.07$46.45RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$87.95$46.30RVU17D
2017-07-01$87.95$46.30RVU17C
2017-04-01$87.95$46.30RVU17B
2017-01-01$87.95$46.30RVU17A
2016-10-01$87.59$46.17RVU16D
2016-07-01$87.59$46.17RVU16C
2016-04-01$87.59$46.17RVU16B
2016-01-01$87.59$46.17RVU16A
2015-10-01$88.61$46.68RVU15D
2015-07-01$88.61$46.68RVU15C
2015-04-01$88.17$46.44RVU15B
2015-01-01$88.17$46.44RVU15A
2014-10-01$85.95$44.95RVU14D
2014-07-01$85.95$44.95RVU14C
2014-04-01$85.95$44.95RVU14B
2014-01-01$85.95$44.95RVU14A
2013-10-01$86.09$43.48RVU13D
2013-07-01$86.09$43.48RVU13C
2013-04-01$86.09$43.48RVU13B
2013-01-01$86.09$43.48RVU13AR

Price 29720 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

29720 billing questions

When should 29720 be chosen over cast removal?

Use 29720 when the existing body spica cast or jacket is repaired and remains in use. If the cast is removed, select the applicable removal service instead.

Is opening a cast the same as repairing it?

No. Use the cast-windowing service when the work creates an access opening; 29720 describes repair of damage to the existing body cast or jacket.

How does repair differ from cast wedging?

Repair restores damaged cast material. Wedging changes cast alignment or shape, so report the service that matches the work documented.

Can modifier 50 be reported for repair on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code; modifier 50 should not be used.

What documentation supports 29720?

Document the body spica cast or jacket, the damage, and how the existing cast was restored. The record should make clear that the service was repair, not removal, windowing, or wedging.

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 29720PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,309 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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