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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Bivalving a Cast

Published on Mon Jul 01, 2002

Question: Is there a CPT code for "bivalving" an arm cast? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: CPT code 29705 (Removal or bivalving; full arm or full leg cast) may be reported for bivalving a full arm or full leg cast. Note, however, that CPT states this code "should be employed only for casts applied by another physician," so if your practice applied the cast, you should not also bill for the bivalving. This is because the codes in the "Application of Casts and Strapping" series include the cast removal as well as the application, and therefore bivalving cannot be separately billed in those cases.  
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