W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
For guidance only. Always check the code and obtain authorisation from your insurer before treatment. Other insurers may use different codes and coding rules.
Also known as
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 | Check cover | Listed by Vitality: check cover at pre-authorisation |
| WPA | Listed | Listed by WPA |
Codes that can't be billed with W8193
Neither code can be billed with the other
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- W7872: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- W8100: Open excision of calcific deposit (e.g. shoulder, hip)
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- 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)"
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- T7916: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm with tenodesis of biceps tendon
W8193 can't be billed with
- 25100: Coeliac plexus block, splanchnic nerve block, hypogastric block - diagnostic +/- image guidance
- T7941: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - first stage
- T7942: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - second stage
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (29)
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral 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)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8100: Open excision of calcific deposit (e.g. shoulder, hip)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8192: Open subacromial decompression (as sole procedure)
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- T6580: Tendon graft, or tendon transfer (as sole procedure, not otherwise specified)
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- T7983: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
- W7872: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- T7916: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm with tenodesis of biceps tendon
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- T6450: Tenodesis of biceps tendon (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
Related codes
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
- W7716: Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears +/- decompression (including graft)
- T7917: Core decompression of shoulder
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for arthroscopic subacromial decompression?
The procedure code is W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression.
Which insurers list W8193?
W8193 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health and WPA. Vitality lists it, but you should check cover before treatment. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8193 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8193 cannot be billed together with 25 other codes, including T6220 (Excision of bursa), T7910 (Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle), T7915 (Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm). 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