W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
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 | Listed | Listed by Vitality |
| WPA | Listed | Listed by WPA |
Codes that can't be billed with W8280
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- 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)
- W7492: Lateral release
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- 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
- W7481: Autograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (29)
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W7481: Autograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (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
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W7492: Lateral release
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
Related codes
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W7487: Allograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- W7481: Autograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral?
The procedure code is W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral.
Which insurers list W8280?
W8280 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8280 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8280 cannot be billed together with 26 other codes, including W8680 (Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)), W8380 (Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)), W8830 (Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)). See the full list above.
About the surgeon
Mr Jakub Kozdryk, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, performs hip and knee replacement and revision surgery at Nuffield Health Warwickshire and Circle Meriden Hospital.
Knee replacement with Mr Kozdryk →Book an appointment with Mr Kozdryk →
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