Radiology Modifier Pairs (TC and 26)
The professional (26) and technical (TC) component modifiers commonly applied to radiology procedure codes.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Billing
- Primary sources
- 2
- Workspace handoff
- revenue audit →
Where this comes up
This shows up in revenue-cycle work — claim scrubbing, charge entry, posting, A/R follow-up, and month-end close. Billers and practice managers hit this term when reconciling a payment, working a denial queue, or auditing why a claim aged past 60 days.
Full definition
What it is in practice
CMS splits most radiology codes into PC/TC. Hospital-based radiologists bill 26; freestanding imaging centers bill global; physicians using outside imaging bill 26 only on the read.
How it shows up in your practice
Confirm PC/TC arrangement per location. Mis-billing global where TC was performed elsewhere is a common audit finding.
Sources
- CMS — Modifier Referencehttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/modifiers
- CMS — Physician Fee Schedulehttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/physician
Audit radiology splits in Revenue Audit
Open revenue audit →Related terms
- BillingModifier 26CPT modifier indicating the professional component of a procedure.
- BillingModifier TCHCPCS modifier indicating the technical component of a procedure.
- BillingProfessional ComponentThe portion of a procedure code (designated by modifier 26) representing the physician's interpretation or supervision, separate from the technical component.
- BillingTechnical ComponentThe portion of a procedure code (designated by modifier TC) representing equipment, supplies, and technical staff used to perform a service.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryModifier 26CPT modifier indicating the professional component of a procedure.
- GlossaryModifier TCHCPCS modifier indicating the technical component of a procedure.
- GlossaryProfessional ComponentThe portion of a procedure code (designated by modifier 26) representing the physician's interpretation or supervision, separate from the technical component.
- GlossaryTechnical ComponentThe portion of a procedure code (designated by modifier TC) representing equipment, supplies, and technical staff used to perform a service.
- GlossaryAnesthesia Modifiers (QY, QK, AD, AA)HCPCS modifiers identifying the anesthesia care team's involvement in a procedure.
- GlossaryCardiac Stress Test (93015-93018)CPT codes for cardiac stress testing, with separate codes for the global service, supervision, and interpretation.
- GlossaryCharge CaptureThe process of identifying and recording every billable service furnished during a patient encounter.
- BillingAWV + Problem Visit Same Day: How to Bill CorrectlyYes, you can bill AWV and a problem visit the same day. Here's how to do it correctly with modifier -25.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.