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CPT code 29730: Cast adjustment, access opening2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Report this service when a clinician creates a localized opening in an existing cast to access underlying skin, a wound, or an incision.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality119 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $75.80 for 29730 in the office and $42.36 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$75.80Office (non-facility)
$42.36Hospital or facility
+12.9%vs the national office rate ($67.14)

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.

We’ll open 29730 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 29730 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 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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $75.80. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29730 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$75.80
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$73.88−$1.92
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$74.85−$0.95
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$72.69−$3.11
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$77.32+$1.52
  6. Alaska · Alaska$80.05+$4.25
  7. Alabama · Alabama$60.55−$15.25

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

29730 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$59.73$35.34
ArizonaArizona$65.36$37.85
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$69.75$38.64
Chico, CACalifornia$69.41$38.29
El Centro, CACalifornia$69.43$38.31
Fresno, CACalifornia$69.41$38.29
Hanford, CACalifornia$69.41$38.29
Madera, CACalifornia$69.41$38.29

29730 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.

$59.73

$80.05

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

View every state and territory as a table
29730 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$80.051
AL$60.551
AR$59.731
AZ$65.361
CA$69.41–$85.0829
CO$69.031
CT$71.451
DC$75.801
DE$66.391
FL$67.45–$74.853
GA$63.72–$68.632
GU$70.761
HI$70.761
IA$61.431
ID$61.921
IL$66.02–$72.694
IN$62.251
KS$61.431
KY$62.491
LA$62.51–$65.392
MA$68.77–$75.212
MD$67.52–$75.803
ME$62.52–$65.312
MI$64.28–$68.532
MN$65.441
MO$61.68–$65.283
MS$60.701
MT$67.131
NC$63.091
ND$64.751
NE$61.661
NH$68.221
NJ$72.06–$75.142
NM$64.731
NV$66.511
NY$64.01–$79.455
OH$63.801
OK$62.101
OR$65.79–$70.802
PA$63.74–$69.942
PR$67.501
RI$68.441
SC$63.591
SD$64.471
TN$61.751
TX$63.36–$68.978
UT$64.401
VA$65.30–$75.802
VI$67.501
VT$64.771
WA$68.55–$76.422
WI$62.731
WV$63.791
WY$66.091

See 29730 in every payment locality

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

Office or facility?

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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 29730 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.73× 1.0540.7694
Practice expense1.16× 1.1781.3665
Malpractice0.12× 1.1130.1336
Total RVUs2.2695
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$75.80

Office: (0.73 × 1.054 + 1.16 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $75.80

Facility: (0.73 × 1.054 + 0.31 × 1.178 + 0.12 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $42.36

Open 29730 in the RVU calculator

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

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

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%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 29730

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

Codes related to 29730
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
29740Cast wedging, alignment adjustmentCast wedging changes alignment rather than creating an access opening.$124.06
29750Cast wedging, clubfoot castClubfoot cast wedging is a distinct cast adjustment.$133.26
29720Cast repair, body spica or jacketRepairs a spica body cast or jacket rather than creating a localized opening.$112.64

How 29730 has changed in Washington, DC area

29730 · Office / nonfacility

$75.80

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.83 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $72.97 to $75.80 (3.9%).

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

    $72.97changed to$75.80

    • 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 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $75.09changed to$72.97

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $73.86changed to$75.09

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $74.63changed to$73.86

    • 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 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $75.50changed to$74.63

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.04
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $74.86changed to$75.50

    • 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

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $73.12changed to$74.86

    • 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 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $73.63changed to$73.12

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 0.90
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $74.42changed to$73.63

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.95 changed to 0.93

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $75.63changed to$74.42

    • 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 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $76.00changed to$75.63

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $75.38changed to$76.00

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.97 changed to 0.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $75.01changed to$75.38

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $75.16changed to$75.01

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $75.83changed to$75.16

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 0.98
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $75.83

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$75.80$42.36RVU26D
2026-07-01$75.80$42.36RVU26C
2026-04-01$75.80$42.36RVU26B
2026-01-01$75.80$42.36RVU26A
2025-10-01$72.97$48.29RVU25D
2025-07-01$72.97$48.29RVU25C
2025-04-01$72.97$48.29RVU25B
2025-01-01$72.97$48.29RVU25A
2024-10-01$75.09$49.70RVU24D
2024-07-01$75.09$49.70RVU24C
2024-04-01$75.09$49.70RVU24B
2024-03-09$75.09$49.70RVU24AR
2024-01-01$73.86$48.88RVU24A
2023-10-01$74.63$50.36RVU23D
2023-07-01$74.63$50.36RVU23C
2023-04-01$74.63$50.36RVU23B
2023-01-01$74.63$50.36RVU23A
2022-10-01$75.50$51.12RVU22D
2022-07-01$75.50$51.12RVU22C
2022-04-01$75.50$51.12RVU22B
2022-01-01$75.50$51.12RVU22A
2021-10-01$74.86$51.14RVU21D
2021-07-01$74.86$51.14RVU21C
2021-04-01$74.86$51.14RVU21B
2021-01-01$74.86$51.14RVU21A
2020-10-01$73.12$50.65RVU20D
2020-07-01$73.12$50.65RVU20C
2020-04-01$73.12$50.65RVU20B
2020-01-01$73.12$50.65RVU20A
2019-10-01$73.63$51.05RVU19D
2019-07-01$73.63$51.05RVU19C
2019-04-01$73.63$51.05RVU19B
2019-01-01$73.63$51.05RVU19A
2018-10-01$74.42$50.99RVU18D
2018-07-01$74.42$50.99RVU18C
2018-04-01$74.42$50.99RVU18B
2018-01-01$74.42$50.99RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$75.63$51.85RVU17D
2017-07-01$75.63$51.85RVU17C
2017-04-01$75.63$51.85RVU17B
2017-01-01$75.63$51.85RVU17A
2016-10-01$76.00$52.27RVU16D
2016-07-01$76.00$52.27RVU16C
2016-04-01$76.00$52.27RVU16B
2016-01-01$76.00$52.27RVU16A
2015-10-01$75.38$51.57RVU15D
2015-07-01$75.38$51.57RVU15C
2015-04-01$75.01$51.31RVU15B
2015-01-01$75.01$51.31RVU15A
2014-10-01$75.16$51.47RVU14D
2014-07-01$75.16$51.47RVU14C
2014-04-01$75.16$51.47RVU14B
2014-01-01$75.16$51.47RVU14A
2013-10-01$75.83$50.15RVU13D
2013-07-01$75.83$50.15RVU13C
2013-04-01$75.83$50.15RVU13B
2013-01-01$75.83$50.15RVU13AR

Price 29730 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

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
RVUs for 29730PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,310 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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