W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral 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.
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 W8194
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
- T7941: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - first stage
- T7942: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - second stage
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- W5722: Excision reconstruction of small joint
- 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)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- 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)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- 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)"
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
W8194 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (29)
- W5722: Excision reconstruction of small joint
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W5723: Excision reconstruction of large joint
- W0860: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy (as sole procedure) - unilateral
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- T6450: Tenodesis of biceps tendon (as sole procedure)
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W8192: Open subacromial decompression (as sole procedure)
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W7760: Labral Repair (shoulder stabilisation)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W7872: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- A7352: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus +/- Image guidance (as sole procedure)
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W8100: Open excision of calcific deposit (e.g. shoulder, hip)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
Related codes
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)?
The procedure code is W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint).
Which insurers list W8194?
W8194 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 W8194 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8194 cannot be billed together with 23 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