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Billing code

Z203A — Cast – arm, forearm or wrist

Arm, forearm or wrist cast

Bill for applying a plaster cast or corrective splint to the arm, forearm or wrist, outside the first 2 weeks of a fracture fee.

Watch for: Not billable for a cast applied at surgery or within 2 weeks of a fracture or dislocation treated with a procedural fee.

Code

Z203A

Description

Cast – arm, forearm or wrist

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2026

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Application of a plaster cast or corrective splint to the arm, forearm or wrist, when not part of a fracture fee's first 2 weeks.

What it covers

Z203 is application of a cast or corrective splint to the arm, forearm or wrist (N7).

Casts applied at surgery, or in the first 2 weeks of a fracture or dislocation treated with a procedural fee, are included in that fee. Later casts are billed from these listings (N7).

Billing rules

• Not billable for a cast applied at the time of surgery (except a cast brace), or within the first 2 weeks of a fracture or dislocation when a procedural fee applies (N7).
• Add E584 when the cast is applied outside a hospital or ICHSC (N7).
• Can be delegated to trained staff: the physician must be in the office when the cast is applied, unless all the delegated-procedure conditions on GP62 to GP63 are met (N7, GP63).
• Corrective splints must actually be corrective; simple immobilization such as a Jones bandage or metal finger splint after a soft tissue injury does not qualify (N7).
• Patients under 16: payment is increased by 10% to 30% depending on age (GP64).
• FHO: a Schedule 4 code that counts toward the office procedures special payment when done in your office for enrolled patients (Agreement p.67 §8.7, p.96).

Often billed with

• E584 when applied outside a hospital or ICHSC (N7).

Related codes: Z201, Z202, Z204, Z213, Z211, E584, F027

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures, General Fees (Casts), page N7.

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