There are two fees involved with any radiographic examination.  The first fee is for the clinical production or technical component of the procedure.  The second fee is for the interpretative or professional component of the procedure.  These fees together are referred to as the global or total x-ray fee.

        Production / technical (-TC modifier)

Global / total x-ray fee   <

         Interpretation / professional (-26 modifier)

 

Shield Radiology Consultants will provide a primary radiographic interpretation and bill the professional component of the total x-ray fee utilizing a -26 modifier on the end of the appropriate CPT code.  The referring physician performs and bills the technical component of the total x-ray fee utilizing a -TC modifier on the end of the appropriate CPT code.  This splits the total x-ray fee.

If the referring physician bills the global x-ray fee, they are required to provide an interpretive or professional component.  Shield Radiology Consultants will then provide a second opinion by their board certified radiologists.