W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
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 W8150
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W3713: Complex primary total hip replacement (including bone grafting or femoral osteotomy)
- W3714: Total hip replacement, +/- cement, after excision arthroplasty or arthrodesis (including conversion of hemiarthroplasty or revision of other previous hip surgery which involved internal fixation)
- W3751: Customised unilateral hip replacement
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8646: Multiple arthroscopic operations on ankle (including soft tissue +/- bony +/- joint surface procedures) without ligament reconstruction
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W3720: Robotic assisted total hip replacement - unilateral +/- cement
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W3712: Primary total hip replacement – unilateral +/- cement
- W3124: Single stage harvest of cartilage and injection of autologous morcellised cartilage and platelet rich plasma into joint
W8150 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (27)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W3712: Primary total hip replacement – unilateral +/- cement
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W3714: Total hip replacement, +/- cement, after excision arthroplasty or arthrodesis (including conversion of hemiarthroplasty or revision of other previous hip surgery which involved internal fixation)
- W7860: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of elbow (as sole procedure)
- W8640: Complex therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle, with multiple bony, joint surface and soft tissue procedures +/- ligament reconstruction (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W3713: Complex primary total hip replacement (including bone grafting or femoral osteotomy)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8880: Arthroscopy of elbow (as sole procedure)
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8630: Therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle with either soft tissue procedure or bony +/or joint surface procedure (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- T6450: Tenodesis of biceps tendon (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)?
The procedure code is W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint).
Which insurers list W8150?
W8150 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8150 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8150 cannot be billed together with 24 other codes, including W3713 (Complex primary total hip replacement (including bone grafting or femoral osteotomy)), W3714 (Total hip replacement, +/- cement, after excision arthroplasty or arthrodesis (including conversion of hemiarthroplasty or revision of other previous hip surgery which involved internal fixation)), W3751 (Customised unilateral hip replacement). 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