TC

Overview

Modifier TC identifies the technical component of a diagnostic procedure — the equipment, supplies, and technical staff time, but NOT the physician\'s interpretation. It is the counterpart to modifier 26 (professional component). When a procedure has both technical and professional components, the technical portion is billed separately with TC and the professional portion separately with 26. Codes with TC are paid the technical-only portion of the fee schedule.

When to use

• The provider is billing only the technical (equipment / facility / technical staff) portion of a diagnostic procedure.
• A separate physician will bill the professional interpretation with modifier 26.
• The code is eligible for technical/professional component split (most diagnostic radiology, EKGs, certain pathology codes).

Common mistakes

• Billing TC and 26 simultaneously on the same claim line — these are mutually exclusive component modifiers.
• Using TC on global procedures where the technical and professional components are not separable.
• Forgetting that 26 is a CPT/AMA modifier and cannot be paired with TC in some payer configurations.

Examples

• 93000-TC — Equipment and technical staff time for a complete EKG; the interpreting physician separately bills 93010 (interpretation).