CMS descriptor for modifier TA
Left foot, great toe
When modifier TA is used
TA identifies the left great toe. Toe modifiers (TA and T1 to T9) show which toe a procedure was on, which matters for nail and foot procedures billed on several toes on the same day.
Medicare coverage articles that list modifier TA
4 current billing and coding articles in the Medicare Coverage Database name modifier TA. Each one sets the contractor's rule for when the modifier is required or accepted.
Denials when modifier TA is wrong or missing
A modifier that does not fit the procedure code comes back with claim adjustment reason code 4 (the procedure code is inconsistent with the modifier used, or a required modifier is missing). When a coverage article requires the modifier and it is absent, the line is usually returned as unprocessable with reason code 16 and a remark code naming the missing information, which is fixed with a corrected claim rather than an appeal. The denial code lookup explains each code.
For teams evaluating QuickIntell software
Where QuickIntell fits with modifiers
QuickCode supports qualified coder review, documentation clarification and the billing handoff, where each modifier is matched to what the record supports. QuickRCM carries claim readiness and the modifier-related denials with configurable automation and human review.
Optional software evaluation, not payer support or help with an individual claim. For coverage or payment decisions, use the official sources on this page. Do not include patient information in a demo booking or inquiry.
Frequently asked questions
What does modifier TA mean?
CMS describes modifier TA as "Left foot, great toe" in the HCPCS Level II file. TA identifies the left great toe.
Is modifier TA still valid?
Yes. Modifier TA is active in the CMS October 2026 HCPCS file; CMS added it on January 1, 1995. Payers can still decline to accept it, so check the payer's modifier policy.
Do Medicare coverage articles require modifier TA?
4 current billing and coding articles in the Medicare Coverage Database name modifier TA. Where an article covers the service, it sets the contractor's rule for when the modifier must be reported.
Sources
Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.
- HCPCS Level II alpha-numeric file, October 2026Version October 2026 · effective 2026-10-01 · file HCPC2026_OCT_ANWEB_09232026.txtSHA-256 c25240c63108756d…
- Medicare Coverage Database, current Billing and Coding Articles exportVersion MCD release 2026-10-08 · effective 2026-10-04 · file article.csvSHA-256 5e95c4a8ac3664be…
- DMEPOS fee schedule DME26-D, October 2026Version DME26-D (October 2026) · effective 2026-10-01 · file DMEPOS_OCT.csvSHA-256 a2824d58aadf4004…
Disclaimer
The descriptor is reproduced from the CMS HCPCS file; the note on when the modifier is used is our own summary of the Medicare rule. Medicaid and commercial plans publish their own modifier policies. Not legal, clinical or billing advice.
Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.