W1800: Drainage/debridement of bone(s) (including sequestrectomy for osteomyelitis)
For guidance only. Always check the code and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Other insurers may use different codes and coding rules.
For guidance only. Procedure codes and descriptions on this site are provided for general guidance only and are not a guarantee of insurance cover or payment. Always check the correct code with your surgeon's secretary and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Insurers shown are examples only. Other insurers are available, and each may use the same, similar or different codes and coding rules.
Insurer listing
| Insurer | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | Listed | Listed by Bupa |
| AXA Health | Listed | Listed by AXA Health |
| Vitality | Listed | Listed by Vitality |
| WPA | Listed | Listed by WPA |
Codes that can't be billed with W1800
Neither code can be billed with the other
W1800 can't be billed with
- S4183: Debridement and primary suture of wound with involvement of deeper tissue - Trunk & Limbs
- S4213: Debridement and primary suture of wound without involvement of deeper tissue (skin & subcutaneous fat only) - Trunk & Limbs
- S5532: Dressing of burn of skin or subcutaneous tissue - less than 2%
- S5533: Dressing of burn of skin or subcutaneous tissue - 2%-10%
- S5710: Debridement of wound (and surgical toilet) - up to 25cm2 in area
- S5712: Debridement of wound (and surgical toilet) - over 25cm2 in area
- S5730: Surgical toilet and debridement of deep wound (including traumatic or post-operative aetiology)
- S5770: Dressing of skin using vacuum assisted closure device (vac pump)
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (16)
- W3100: Bone graft (as sole procedure)
- W3620: Open bone biopsy as sole procedure
- S5532: Dressing of burn of skin or subcutaneous tissue - less than 2%
- W3032: Removal of fixator/frame/pins/wires and change of plaster (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- S4183: Debridement and primary suture of wound with involvement of deeper tissue - Trunk & Limbs
- S5730: Surgical toilet and debridement of deep wound (including traumatic or post-operative aetiology)
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- S5710: Debridement of wound (and surgical toilet) - up to 25cm2 in area
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W1380: Arthroscopic femoro-acetabular surgery for hip impingement syndrome, including labral repair and osteochondroplasty
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- S4213: Debridement and primary suture of wound without involvement of deeper tissue (skin & subcutaneous fat only) - Trunk & Limbs
- S5533: Dressing of burn of skin or subcutaneous tissue - 2%-10%
- W3622: Needle biopsy of bone as sole procedure
- S5712: Debridement of wound (and surgical toilet) - over 25cm2 in area
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for drainage/debridement of bone(s) (including sequestrectomy for osteomyelitis)?
The procedure code is W1800: Drainage/debridement of bone(s) (including sequestrectomy for osteomyelitis).
Which insurers list W1800?
W1800 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W1800 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W1800 cannot be billed together with 12 other codes, including W1380 (Arthroscopic femoro-acetabular surgery for hip impingement syndrome, including labral repair and osteochondroplasty), W3620 (Open bone biopsy as sole procedure), W3622 (Needle biopsy of bone as sole procedure). See the full list above.
What does my procedure code mean?
For guidance only. Procedure codes and descriptions on this site are provided for general guidance only and are not a guarantee of insurance cover or payment. Always check the correct code with your surgeon's secretary and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Insurers shown are examples only. Other insurers are available, and each may use the same, similar or different codes and coding rules.
Codes and descriptions are for guidance only. Insurer listing and cover information is taken from each insurer's published schedule and is for guidance only: always confirm the code and cover with the insurer before treatment. This site is not affiliated with CCSD or any insurer. No fees are shown.
Last checked: 2026-10-01