Surgical · Wrist

Application of a static (non-articulating) short arm splint extending from the forearm to the hand, used to immobilize the wrist or forearm for injury healing or pre-surgical fracture stabilization.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $79.16
Total RVUs: 2.37
Global, days: 0
Region: Wrist

Drawn from CMSAAPCBedrockbillingCgsmedicare

Documentation requirements

What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

Diagnosis driving splint application (fracture, sprain, tendonitis, dislocation, etc.) with supporting ICD-10 code
Laterality — document left or right arm explicitly, not just 'upper extremity'
Splint type confirmed as static/rigid, not dynamic or hinged
Clinical rationale — whether splint is for healing an injury or stabilizing a fracture pre-operatively
Confirmation that the provider is stabilizing but not treating the fracture if billing 29125 alongside a referral
If billing E&M same-day, document that the evaluation was significant and separately identifiable from the splint application decision

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

25 Significant separate E/M 52 Reduced services 59 Distinct service 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician LT Left side RT Right side

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

CPT 29125 covers the application of a rigid, non-moving short arm splint that runs from the forearm to the palm. It's used when immobilization is the goal — fractures, sprains, tendonitis, or wrist injuries awaiting definitive surgical treatment. 'Static' is the operative word: if the splint allows controlled motion, bill 29126 instead.

The NCCI bundling rule is the single biggest billing trap here. When a provider treats a fracture and applies the initial splint in the same encounter, the splint is bundled into the fracture treatment code — do not separately bill 29125. The exception: if the provider stabilizes but does not treat the fracture (e.g., applies a splint and refers out), the fracture treatment code isn't used, so 29125 is appropriate as a standalone service, and you can also report a supply code (Q4001–Q4051) and a significant, separately identifiable E&M with modifier 25.

The global period is 000, meaning same-day E&M billing is allowed only when the visit is significant and separately identifiable — document that decision-making clearly. The 000 global also means no post-op visits are included; follow-up care is billed separately.

RVU & reimbursement

Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	0.49
Practice expense RVU	1.79
Malpractice RVU	0.09
Total RVU	2.37
Medicare national rate	$79.16
Global period	0 days

Payment by site of service

Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.

Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026

Setting	Medicare rate (national)
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office	$79.16
HOPD (APC 5734) Hospital outpatient department	$135.93

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 29125 get rejected.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓

Bundled into a same-day fracture treatment code — splint application is included in fracture care codes when the treating provider applies it
Missing or mismatched laterality modifier (LT/RT) required by many commercial payers
E&M denied when documentation doesn't establish it as separate from the minor procedure decision
Static vs. dynamic mismatch — payer flags 29125 when documentation describes adjustable or hinged splint (use 29126)
Supply code (Q-code) billed without 29125 or vice versa, triggering edit on facility or payer-specific claims

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 6 cited references ↓

01Can I bill 29125 when I also bill a fracture treatment code?

No. When you treat the fracture, the initial splint application is bundled into the fracture treatment code per CPT guidelines and NCCI policy. Bill 29125 only when you're stabilizing or splinting without performing definitive fracture treatment — for example, when you're referring the patient to another provider for care.

02Can I bill an E&M on the same day as 29125?

Yes, but only if the E&M reflects decision-making that is significant and separately identifiable from the splint application itself. Add modifier 25 to the E&M. The 000 global period does not protect a routine visit bundled into the minor procedure.

03What's the difference between 29125 and 29126?

29125 is for a static (rigid, non-moving) splint. 29126 covers a dynamic splint that allows controlled, guided motion. If your documentation describes adjustability or range-of-motion control, use 29126 — using 29125 when the device is dynamic is a misrepresentation that can trigger audits.

04Do I need a laterality modifier?

Medicare does not require LT/RT on 29125, but many commercial payers do. Append LT or RT routinely to avoid preventable denials and to support clean records if the patient returns for the contralateral side.

05Can I bill a supply code with 29125?

Yes. When 29125 is the primary service (no fracture treatment code billed), you may separately report a cast/splint/strap supply code (Q4001–Q4051) for the materials used. Confirm your payer accepts Q-codes — some commercial payers require the supply be included in the procedure payment.

06Is 29125 billable in the emergency department?

Yes. 29125 is performed across outpatient clinics, orthopedic offices, and emergency departments. The same bundling rules apply — if the ED provider stabilizes but does not treat the fracture and refers out, 29125 is appropriate alongside the ED E&M with modifier 25 if the visit is separately documented.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

Mira AI Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the splint type (static/rigid), the forearm-to-hand extent, laterality, and the clinical indication from dictation — distinguishing stabilization-only from definitive fracture treatment. That distinction is what separates a cleanly billable 29125 from a bundling denial under the fracture-care NCCI edit.

See how Mira captures CPT 29125 documentation