W8180: Arthrotomy of small 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 W8180
Neither code can be billed with the other
- 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)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- V2400: Posterior decompression with fusion (thoracic region) including spinal cord monitoring
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- V2200: Posterior decompression +/- foraminotomy - cervical region (1 or 2 levels)
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
W8180 can't be billed with
- V2201: Posterior decompression +/- foraminotomy - cervical region (3 or more levels)
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (22)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W0860: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy (as sole procedure) - unilateral
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- V2200: Posterior decompression +/- foraminotomy - cervical region (1 or 2 levels)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W0861: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy - bilateral, as sole procedure
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- V2400: Posterior decompression with fusion (thoracic region) including spinal cord monitoring
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)?
The procedure code is W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint).
Which insurers list W8180?
W8180 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8180 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8180 cannot be billed together with 19 other codes, including 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)). 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