CPT code 29730: Cast adjustment, access opening2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA
Report this service when a clinician creates a localized opening in an existing cast to access underlying skin, a wound, or an incision.
In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $69.43 for 29730 in the office and $38.31 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29730 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 29730 covers
Cast windowing creates a localized opening in an existing cast so a clinician can reach the skin, wound, or incision beneath it while the remaining cast stays in place. Orthopedic clinicians managing fractures commonly perform it in an office or facility when access to a specific area is needed without removing the entire cast. The opening is the service; cast removal, repair, or a change in alignment describes a different procedure.
Report 29730 when documentation identifies the cast and the location and purpose of the opening. CMS assigns 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. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code, 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 El Centro, CA compares for 29730
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29730 runs from $59.73 in Arkansas to $85.08 in San Benito County, CA. El Centro, CA pays $69.43. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- El Centro, CA · this page$69.43
- Bakersfield, CA · California$69.75+$0.32
- Chico, CA · California$69.41−$0.02
- Fresno, CA · California$69.41−$0.02
- Hanford, CA · California$69.41−$0.02
- Los Angeles, CA · California$73.88+$4.45
- Madera, CA · California$69.41−$0.02
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $79.02 | $41.60 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $73.36 | $39.80 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $70.71 | $39.59 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $72.47 | $39.45 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $72.19 | $39.29 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $73.63 | $39.67 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $83.17 | $43.14 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $83.03 | $43.00 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $85.08 | $44.14 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $84.53 | $43.59 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $71.08 | $38.74 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $74.12 | $39.62 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $72.39 | $39.29 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $74.84 | $39.98 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $78.82 | $41.41 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $69.41 | $38.29 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | $75.80 | $42.36 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | $74.85 | $45.30 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | $72.69 | $44.16 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $77.32 | $44.33 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $80.05 | $49.81 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $60.55 | $35.71 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $59.73 | $35.34 |
| ArizonaArizona | $65.36 | $37.85 |
| ColoradoColorado | $69.03 | $38.82 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $71.45 | $40.87 |
| DelawareDelaware | $66.39 | $38.34 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $70.88 | $42.12 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $67.45 | $40.31 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $68.63 | $39.79 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $63.72 | $38.40 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $70.76 | $38.48 |
| IowaIowa | $61.43 | $35.45 |
| IdahoIdaho | $61.92 | $35.80 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $68.10 | $41.98 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $66.02 | $40.10 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $71.45 | $42.29 |
| IndianaIndiana | $62.25 | $35.93 |
| KansasKansas | $61.43 | $35.76 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $62.49 | $37.26 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $65.39 | $38.68 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $62.51 | $37.39 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $75.21 | $41.31 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $68.77 | $38.87 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $71.30 | $40.84 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $67.52 | $38.78 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $62.52 | $36.40 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $65.31 | $37.17 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $68.53 | $41.13 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $64.28 | $38.36 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $65.44 | $36.22 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $64.68 | $38.02 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $65.28 | $38.26 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $61.68 | $37.21 |
| MississippiMississippi | $60.70 | $36.26 |
| MontanaMontana | $67.13 | $38.74 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $63.09 | $36.60 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $64.75 | $36.36 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $61.66 | $35.45 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $68.22 | $38.67 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $75.14 | $42.21 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $72.06 | $41.06 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $64.73 | $38.69 |
| NevadaNevada | $66.51 | $38.09 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $79.45 | $45.70 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $72.76 | $41.67 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $77.52 | $43.96 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $64.01 | $37.04 |
| OhioOhio | $63.80 | $37.88 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $62.10 | $36.74 |
| Portland, OROregon | $70.80 | $39.26 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $65.79 | $37.51 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $69.94 | $40.38 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $63.74 | $37.68 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $67.50 | $38.80 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $68.44 | $39.12 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $63.59 | $37.36 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $64.47 | $36.08 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $61.75 | $35.95 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $68.97 | $38.94 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $63.36 | $37.53 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $66.10 | $37.97 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $66.63 | $38.35 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $66.30 | $38.30 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $66.37 | $38.18 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $68.57 | $40.37 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $64.77 | $37.83 |
| UtahUtah | $64.40 | $37.71 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $65.30 | $37.39 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $67.50 | $38.80 |
| VermontVermont | $64.77 | $36.66 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $68.55 | $38.65 |
| King County, WAWashington | $76.42 | $41.58 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $62.73 | $35.54 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $63.79 | $39.12 |
| WyomingWyoming | $66.09 | $37.70 |
29730 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$59.73
$80.05
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $80.05 | 1 |
| AL | $60.55 | 1 |
| AR | $59.73 | 1 |
| AZ | $65.36 | 1 |
| CA | $69.41–$85.08 | 29 |
| CO | $69.03 | 1 |
| CT | $71.45 | 1 |
| DC | $75.80 | 1 |
| DE | $66.39 | 1 |
| FL | $67.45–$74.85 | 3 |
| GA | $63.72–$68.63 | 2 |
| GU | $70.76 | 1 |
| HI | $70.76 | 1 |
| IA | $61.43 | 1 |
| ID | $61.92 | 1 |
| IL | $66.02–$72.69 | 4 |
| IN | $62.25 | 1 |
| KS | $61.43 | 1 |
| KY | $62.49 | 1 |
| LA | $62.51–$65.39 | 2 |
| MA | $68.77–$75.21 | 2 |
| MD | $67.52–$75.80 | 3 |
| ME | $62.52–$65.31 | 2 |
| MI | $64.28–$68.53 | 2 |
| MN | $65.44 | 1 |
| MO | $61.68–$65.28 | 3 |
| MS | $60.70 | 1 |
| MT | $67.13 | 1 |
| NC | $63.09 | 1 |
| ND | $64.75 | 1 |
| NE | $61.66 | 1 |
| NH | $68.22 | 1 |
| NJ | $72.06–$75.14 | 2 |
| NM | $64.73 | 1 |
| NV | $66.51 | 1 |
| NY | $64.01–$79.45 | 5 |
| OH | $63.80 | 1 |
| OK | $62.10 | 1 |
| OR | $65.79–$70.80 | 2 |
| PA | $63.74–$69.94 | 2 |
| PR | $67.50 | 1 |
| RI | $68.44 | 1 |
| SC | $63.59 | 1 |
| SD | $64.47 | 1 |
| TN | $61.75 | 1 |
| TX | $63.36–$68.97 | 8 |
| UT | $64.40 | 1 |
| VA | $65.30–$75.80 | 2 |
| VI | $67.50 | 1 |
| VT | $64.77 | 1 |
| WA | $68.55–$76.42 | 2 |
| WI | $62.73 | 1 |
| WV | $63.79 | 1 |
| WY | $66.09 | 1 |
How the 29730 rate is calculated
Each of 29730’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 · 29730
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.73
0.73 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.16
1.16 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.12
0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.0100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$67.14
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,310
- Code
- 29730
- Physician work
- 0.73
- Practice expense
- 1.16
- Malpractice
- 0.12
GPCI2026.csv
10
- Locality
- El Centro, CA
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.541
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.73 | × 1.017 | 0.7424 |
| Practice expense | 1.16 | × 1.096 | 1.2714 |
| Malpractice | 0.12 | × 0.541 | 0.0649 |
| Total RVUs | 2.0787 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, El Centro, CA$69.43
Office: (0.73 × 1.017 + 1.16 × 1.096 + 0.12 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $69.43
Facility: (0.73 × 1.017 + 0.31 × 1.096 + 0.12 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $38.31
Payment rules and modifiers for 29730
The CMS indicators that decide how 29730 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 29730
Cast adjustment, access opening
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
29730 without 51 · national office
$67.14
Cast adjustment, access opening
29730-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$33.57
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%).
How 29730 has changed in El Centro, CA
29730 · Office / nonfacility
$69.43
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.54 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $65.89 to $69.43 (5.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$65.89changed to$69.43
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.75 changed to 0.73
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.16
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
- Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
- Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
- Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.541
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$67.80changed to$65.89
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$66.70changed to$67.80
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$66.40changed to$66.70
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.10
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.13
- Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
- Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.570
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$66.09changed to$66.40
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.04
- Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
- Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
- Malpractice GPCI 0.620 changed to 0.595
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$65.35changed to$66.09
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.96 changed to 1.00
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
- Malpractice GPCI 0.616 changed to 0.620
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$64.88changed to$65.35
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.90 changed to 0.96
- Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.606 changed to 0.616
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$65.83changed to$64.88
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.90
- Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
- Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
- Malpractice GPCI 0.570 changed to 0.606
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$66.52changed to$65.83
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.93
- Malpractice GPCI 0.567 changed to 0.570
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$67.75changed to$66.52
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.95
- Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
- Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
- Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
- Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.567
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$67.75
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
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.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $69.43 | $38.31 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $69.43 | $38.31 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $69.43 | $38.31 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $69.43 | $38.31 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $65.89 | $43.26 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $65.89 | $43.26 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $65.89 | $43.26 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $65.89 | $43.26 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $67.80 | $44.52 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $67.80 | $44.52 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $67.80 | $44.52 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $67.80 | $44.52 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $66.70 | $43.79 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $66.40 | $44.82 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $66.40 | $44.82 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $66.40 | $44.82 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $66.40 | $44.82 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $66.09 | $45.08 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $66.09 | $45.08 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $66.09 | $45.08 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $66.09 | $45.08 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $65.35 | $44.91 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $65.35 | $44.91 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $65.35 | $44.91 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $65.35 | $44.91 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $64.88 | $45.18 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $64.88 | $45.18 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $64.88 | $45.18 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $64.88 | $45.18 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $65.83 | $45.70 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $65.83 | $45.70 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $65.83 | $45.70 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $65.83 | $45.70 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $66.52 | $45.64 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $66.52 | $45.64 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $66.52 | $45.64 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $66.52 | $45.64 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $67.75 | $46.45 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $67.75 | $46.45 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $67.75 | $46.45 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $67.75 | $46.45 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the El Centro, CA rate applies
El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- El Centro
- Bombay Beach
- Brawley
- Calexico
- Calipatria
- Desert Shores
- El Centro Naval Air Facility
- Heber
29730 billing questions
How is cast windowing different from cast wedging?
Windowing creates an opening for access to skin or a wound beneath the cast. Wedging modifies cast alignment; it is reported with the applicable wedging code instead.
Does this code describe removal of the cast?
No. It describes creating a localized opening while the rest of the cast remains in place. Use the applicable cast-removal code when the cast is removed or bivalved.
What documentation supports reporting 29730?
Document the cast being modified, the location and purpose of the opening, and that the opening was performed. A note describing only inspection or cast application does not establish this service.
Should modifier 50 be used for openings on both sides?
No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code under the CMS bilateral adjustment rule.
How does CMS handle other procedures performed in the same session?
The highest-valued procedure is paid in full, and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in this code's 0-day global period.
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
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