W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
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 W8380
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (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)
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8250: Partial replacement of the meniscus of the knee using a biodegradable scaffold
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (31)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W0861: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy - bilateral, as sole procedure
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W0950: Radical clearance of sarcoma of trunk or limbs, +/- amputation or insertion of prosthesis
- 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)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W7492: Lateral release
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W5200: Unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
Related codes
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8890: Diagnostic small-bore needle arthroscopy on cavity of joint (as sole procedure)
- W3124: Single stage harvest of cartilage and injection of autologous morcellised cartilage and platelet rich plasma into joint
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than w8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8380?
W8380 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8380 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8380 cannot be billed together with 25 other codes, including W8300 (Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)), W8200 (Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral), W8280 (Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral). 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