Appropriate Use of Modifier 26 and Modifier TC

1. Appropriate Use of Modifier 26 and Modifier TC Medical Billers and Coders

2. Most radiology services or procedures, although described by a single CPT code, comprise two distinct portions: a professional component and a technical component. The professional component is provided by the physician and may include supervision, interpretation, and a written report. To claim only the professional portion of a service, CPT Appendix A i.e., Modifiers, instructs you to append modifier 26 to the appropriate CPT code. The technical component of a service includes the provision of all equipment, supplies, personnel, and costs related to the performance of the exam. To claim only the technical portion of a service, append modifier TC to the appropriate CPT code. Modifier 26 and Modifier TC are unique coding tools that may be used in specific circumstances. It can be easy to become perplexed trying to keep the components of a procedure straight and remembering when these modifiers should be applied. To remove some of the confusion, in this article we will explore common uses of modifiers 26 and TC and discuss the requirements of when and how to utilize them correctly. Understanding the appropriate use of modifiers 26 and TC is key to filing clean claims and avoiding denials for duplicate billing.

3. Defining Modifier 26 and Modifier TC Modifier 26 (Professional Component): Certain procedures are a combination of a physician component and a technical component. When the physician component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. Modifier TC (Technical Component): Under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone. Under those circumstances, the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier TC to the usual procedure number. Technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians.

4. Global Service A global service includes both professional and technical components of a single service. It is identified by reporting the eligible code without modifier 26 or TC. In such cases, the provider is reimbursed for the equipment, supplies, and technical support, as well as the interpretation of the results and the report. When reporting a global service, no modifiers are necessary to receive payment for both components of the service. The surest way to identify codes with separate professional and technical components for Medicare payers is to consult the National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, available as a free download from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. If the Relative Value File lists separate line items for a code with modifiers 26 and TC, the service or procedure described by that code includes both a technical and professional component.

5. For instance, the 2015 Relative Value File lists three separate lines for 74020, Radiologic examination, abdomen; complete, including decubitus and/or erect views. The first of these lines corresponds to the “global” service. The second line details the technical component only, and the third line describes only the professional component. Note that the separate relative value units (RVUs) assigned for the technical and professional components will equal the total RVUs for the global service (described below). The total RVUs for 74020 is 1.04, of which 0.66 RVUs are attributed to the technical component and 0.38 are attributed to the professional component.

6. Address Wilmington 108 West, 13th street, Wilmington, DE 19801 Texas 539 W. Commerce St #1482 Dallas, TX 75208 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Email : info@medicalbillersandcoders.com Fax no: 888-316-4566 Toll Free no: 888-357-3226