Summary & Overview
CPT 29130: Application of Static Finger Splint
Headline: CPT 29130: Application of Static Finger Splint — Clinical and Billing Brief
CPT 29130 denotes the application of a static finger splint, a common orthopaedic-surgery procedure to immobilize fingers for fractures, sprains, or painful conditions. Nationally, this code is important because it supports timely conservative management of hand injuries in outpatient settings, reduces the need for more invasive interventions when appropriate, and is frequently encountered across private and public payers.
Major payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise presentation of the clinical context for using 29130, typical sites of service, and common billing considerations. The report highlights associated procedure codes for related splinting options and contrasts 29130 with dynamic splinting and short arm splint applications to clarify coding choices.
This publication provides practical reference material: a clear definition of the service represented by 29130, the typical outpatient setting where it is delivered, common ICD-10 clinical scenarios that justify splint application, and common modifiers used for anatomical specification and multiple procedures. It also outlines related CPT codes to aid accurate coding and appropriate claim submission. Data gaps are noted where input information is missing.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 29130 describes the application of a static finger splint, a procedure that immobilizes one or more fingers using a non-moving splint to support healing, reduce pain, and prevent further injury. This code applies to procedures categorized under Surgery / Application of splinting and is typically performed in an Outpatient Surgery setting (for example, Place of Service 22).
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an outpatient surgery clinic or ambulatory procedure area after sustaining finger trauma with pain, suspected sprain, or fracture. Initial evaluation by an orthopaedic hand surgeon, orthopaedic clinician, or physical therapist includes history, focused hand and finger examination, and plain radiographs as indicated. For an acute closed phalanx fracture or finger sprain, the clinician determines that a static finger splint is appropriate to immobilize the digit, reduce pain, and support healing. The procedure 29130 (application of finger splint, static) is performed in the outpatient setting. Typical workflow: triage and assessment → informed consent and documentation of indication (for example, S62.609A or S63.609A) → selection and fitting of a prefabricated or custom-molded static finger splint → instruction to the patient on care, activity restrictions, and follow-up (for example, repeat radiographs or evaluation for S62.609D). Documentation includes clinical indication, anatomic location (use of modifier FA when applicable), type of splint applied, time and personnel involved, and follow-up plan.
Coding Specifications
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Modifiers
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FA: Left hand, thumb — used to indicate the anatomical area when the static finger splint is applied to the left thumb or left hand digit. -
51: Multiple procedures — used when reporting29130in conjunction with another procedure performed at the same anatomic site during the same encounter; applies when payer rules allow separate reporting and bundling logic is satisfied. -
Provider taxonomies and specialties
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207X00000X: Orthopaedic Surgery — surgeons focused on musculoskeletal operative and nonoperative care. -
207XX0004X: Orthopaedic Surgery of the Hand — surgeons with specialty focus on hand and upper-extremity conditions. -
225100000X: Physical Therapist — clinicians providing nonoperative management, splinting, and rehabilitation interventions.
Related Diagnoses
S62.609A— Unspecified fracture of unspecified phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for closed fracture
Clinical relevance: An initial closed phalangeal fracture commonly requires immobilization; 29130 is used to apply a static finger splint for immediate stabilization.
S62.609D— Unspecified fracture of unspecified phalanx of unspecified finger, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
Clinical relevance: During follow-up visits for routine healing, continuing or reapplying a static finger splint (29130) may be documented for ongoing immobilization.
M79.641— Pain in right hand
Clinical relevance: Focal hand pain without a specific fracture code may be managed with a static finger splint (29130) when immobilization is clinically indicated for symptomatic relief.
M79.642— Pain in left hand
Clinical relevance: As above, left-hand pain may prompt application of a static finger splint; modifier FA is applied if the splint is on the left thumb when appropriate.
S63.609A— Unspecified sprain of unspecified finger, initial encounter
Clinical relevance: Acute finger sprains often receive a static finger splint (29130) to immobilize the injured digit during initial healing.
Related CPT Codes
29131— APPLICATION FINGER SPLINT DYNAMIC
Explanation: A dynamic finger splint (29131) provides controlled motion while supporting the digit and is an alternative to a static splint (29130) when staged mobilization is indicated. Selection depends on the clinical goal (immobilization vs controlled motion).
29125— Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand)
Explanation: 29125 is used when immobilization must include the wrist and forearm (short arm splint) rather than isolating the finger. It may be used instead of 29130 when proximal stabilization is required.
29126— Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand)
Explanation: 29126 is a closely related code for short arm splint application; use is determined by the anatomic extent of immobilization. 29125/29126 may be reported in the same encounter as 29130 when distinct anatomic areas and payer rules permit; use modifier 51 when multiple procedures are reported per payer guidelines.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare mean allowed rates for CPT 29130 are lower than the BUCA (average commercial) mean: Medicare at $47.50 versus BUCA at $52.13. This positions Medicare below the aggregated commercial benchmark but close to several commercial payers' medians.
Rate dispersion (P75 − P25) varies across payers. UnitedHealth Group and Cigna show the widest spreads (UHC: $38.67, Cigna: $36.50), indicating greater variability in allowed rates. Aetna and Medicare are the tightest (Aetna: $20.00, Medicare: $4.00), indicating more consistent allowed rates around their central tendencies.
The table and chart below present the full breakdown of payer mean rates and percentiles.
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