Which statement accurately describes the relationship between modifiers 26 and TC on CMS-1500?

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between modifiers 26 and TC on CMS-1500?

• A. They do not relate to service components
• B. They indicate the service's geographic location
• C. The 26 modifier refers to the professional component and TC to the technical component
• D. They indicate the payer’s coding system

Answer: (C)

On the CMS-1500 form, modifiers 26 and TC identify the two parts of a service that has both professional and technical elements. The 26 modifier is used to indicate the professional component—the physician’s interpretation or report of the study. The TC modifier signals the technical component—the imaging procedure itself performed with equipment and technologists. These modifiers are used to show that components can be billed separately or that a service was delivered as a split (professional and technical) rather than as a single bundled service. They do not relate to geographic location or to the payer’s coding system.

On the CMS-1500 form, modifiers 26 and TC identify the two parts of a service that has both professional and technical elements. The 26 modifier is used to indicate the professional component—the physician’s interpretation or report of the study. The TC modifier signals the technical component—the imaging procedure itself performed with equipment and technologists. These modifiers are used to show that components can be billed separately or that a service was delivered as a split (professional and technical) rather than as a single bundled service. They do not relate to geographic location or to the payer’s coding system.