W8602: Therapeutic arthroscopy of wrist joint (as sole procedure)
Therapeutic arthroscopy of wrist joint (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 W8602
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W5310: Total prosthetic replacement of wrist joint
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (43)
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W5310: Total prosthetic replacement of wrist joint
- A6510: Carpal tunnel release (open)
- XR960: Percutaneous thermal coagulation of mass
- T6914: Tenolysis of extensor tendon of hand
- T5900: Excision of ganglion
- W0282: Total excision of trapezium
- W7485: Small joint (e.g. interphalangeal/ metacarpo-phalangeal joint) ligament reconstruction
- W2310: Secondary open reduction of fractured long bone-and intramedullary fixation or internal fixation for non-union/mal union - including intra-articular (including bone graft)
- W7400: Reconstruction of one or two ligaments not elsewhere specified
- A6080: Neurectomy (major nerve)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W6202: Partial fusion of wrist
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W5723: Excision reconstruction of large joint
- T7231: Open release of constriction of sheath of tendon (e.g. trigger finger)
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- X4822: Change of cast under general anaesthetic (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W7482: Scaphoid lunate ligament reconstruction
- T6800: Delayed or secondary repair of tendon (including graft, transfer and/or prosthesis) (not otherwise specified)
- W5930: Fusion of digit joint(s) of hand +/- graft & +/- internal fixation
- A6600: Release of entrapment of deeply placed peripheral nerve
- W5722: Excision reconstruction of small joint
- W2100: Primary open reduction of intra-articular fracture of long bone with internal fixation, e.g. proximal humerus or proximal tibia (+/- arthroscopic assistance)
- W8880: Arthroscopy of elbow (as sole procedure)
- S5730: Surgical toilet and debridement of deep wound (including traumatic or post-operative aetiology)
- T5202: Dupuytren's fasciectomy palm only
- W2830: Removal of internal fixation from bone / joint, excluding K-wires +/- image guidance
- T6982: Tenolysis of flexor tendon of hand
- W3200: Open reduction and internal fixation of cancellous bone graft scaphoid non-union
- W2582: Closed reduction of fracture of short bone (including cast or percutaneous K-wires)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- T8050: Surgical release of humeral epicondylitis (lateral or medial) (e.g. Tennis Elbow")"
- W3650: Diagnostic aspiration and trephine biopsy of bone marrow, including analysis
- W1080: Osteotomy of long bone, +/- fixation (including graft)
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- S5524: Burn excision (wound/scar) trunk & limbs (not more than 2% of body area)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- T6910: Tenolysis, of extensor (not otherwise specified)
- W7484: Reconstruction of three or more ligaments not elsewhere specified
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for therapeutic arthroscopy of wrist joint (as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8602: Therapeutic arthroscopy of wrist joint (as sole procedure) .
Which insurers list W8602?
W8602 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8602 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8602 cannot be billed together with 7 other codes, including W8600 (Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)), W8830 (Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)), W5310 (Total prosthetic replacement of wrist joint). 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