Application of supportive strapping to the shoulder joint to stabilize or immobilize the area during recovery from injury or acute instability.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare: $28.72
Total RVUs: 0.86
Global, days: 0
Region: Shoulder

Drawn from CMSAAPCMdclarityOpenpayer

Documentation requirements

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

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

Specify which shoulder (right, left, or bilateral) in the procedure note
Document the clinical indication — injury type, instability pattern, or acute diagnosis supporting need for strapping
Record the type of strapping material and technique applied (e.g., elastic adhesive, figure-eight, sling and swathe)
If billed same-day with an E/M, document that the clinical decision to strap was separately identifiable from the evaluation
Confirm strapping is not bundled into a same-day fracture care code before billing separately

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

22 Increased complexity 25 Significant separate E/M 50 Bilateral procedure 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 29240 covers the application of adhesive or elastic strapping to the shoulder — typically for acute sprains, separations, or instability conditions requiring external support. It's most commonly performed by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physiatrists, and carries a 0-day global period, meaning each application is independently billable.

A critical NCCI bundling rule applies: 29240 bundles into shoulder fracture care codes (e.g., 23500–23680). If fracture care is billed, the strapping is considered included. Don't bill 29240 separately with those fracture codes unless you have a modifier-supporting rationale and distinct documentation. The same bundling logic applies when strapping is applied as part of a surgical procedure's immediate post-op management.

Laterality modifiers (LT/RT) are expected when a single shoulder is treated. Modifier 50 applies if both shoulders are strapped in the same session. If an E/M is performed same-day with a distinct clinical decision, append modifier 25 to the E/M — not to 29240 itself.

RVU & reimbursement

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

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU	0.38
Practice expense RVU	0.47
Malpractice RVU	0.01
Total RVU	0.86
Medicare national rate	$28.72
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	$28.72
HOPD (APC 5734) Hospital outpatient department	$135.93

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 29240 get rejected.

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

Bundled into a same-day shoulder fracture care code (NCCI PTP edit — 29240 is a column 2 code to fracture care codes 23500–23680)
Missing laterality modifier — payers expect LT or RT when only one shoulder is treated
Billed without a supporting diagnosis that justifies external stabilization (e.g., no documented sprain, instability, or acute injury)
Modifier 25 missing on a same-day E/M when both services were performed and separately documented

Frequently asked questions

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

01Can 29240 be billed on the same day as shoulder fracture care codes like 23600?

No. NCCI bundles 29240 into shoulder fracture care codes (23500–23680). The strapping is considered part of the fracture care service. Bill one or the other, not both.

02Do I need a laterality modifier on 29240?

Yes. Append LT or RT when strapping is applied to a single shoulder. Use modifier 50 for bilateral same-session application. Payers flag claims without laterality on unilateral procedures.

03Is there a global period on 29240?

The global period is 0 days. Each date of service is independently billable, and there are no included post-procedure visits bundled into this code.

04Can a physical therapist bill 29240?

Yes — PTs and OTs in private practice are among the top billing specialties for this code per CMS PUF data. Confirm the service falls within state scope-of-practice rules and payer credentialing requirements.

05If I apply shoulder strapping and also perform an office visit the same day, do I need modifier 25?

Yes. Append modifier 25 to the E/M code to indicate it was a significant, separately identifiable service. The note must support a clinical decision beyond just applying the strap.

06Does 29240 apply to kinesio taping or only rigid strapping?

The code is broadly used for adhesive and elastic supportive applications to the shoulder. Payer policies vary on kinesio taping specifically — confirm with individual payers before billing, as some consider it not separately reimbursable.

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 shoulder side treated, the clinical indication (e.g., AC sprain, glenohumeral instability), the strapping technique and material applied, and whether a separate E/M decision was made. This prevents the two most common denials: missing laterality and undocumented medical necessity for strapping distinct from any fracture care billed the same day.

See how Mira captures CPT 29240 documentation