W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (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.
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 W8603
Neither code can be billed with the other
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W7713: Primary stabilisation of multi-directional instability of shoulder joint +/- tendon repair
- 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
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- 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
- T7918: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a biodegradable collagen based scaffold
W8603 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (40)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W3030: Removal of external fixation from bone
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- S0656: Removal of small lipoma less than 10cm
- W7872: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- W5600: Primary repair of rupture of acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joint +/- internal fixation
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- T7916: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm with tenodesis of biceps tendon
- T6450: Tenodesis of biceps tendon (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W7713: Primary stabilisation of multi-directional instability of shoulder joint +/- tendon repair
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- T7981: Extensive (greater than 2cm tear) repair of large muscle (including arthroscopic) (excluding rotator cuff)
- S0633: Excision of lesion of skin or subcutaneous tissue - up to three, Trunk & Limbs (excluding lipoma)
- T7290: Trigger point injection/Enthesis - 1 injection
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W7712: Stabilisation of unidirectional instability of shoulder joint (including anterior, posterior and arthroscopic)
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- W0700: Excision of ectopic bone
- T7990: Revision of open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair +/- decompression
- W7714: Primary open or arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation procedure (including labral/SLAP/tendon repair)
- A7352: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus +/- Image guidance (as sole procedure)
- T7983: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair
- W3620: Open bone biopsy as sole procedure
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- S4183: Debridement and primary suture of wound with involvement of deeper tissue - Trunk & Limbs
- W7850: Open arthrolysis of elbow
- T7010: Percutaneous tenotomy
Related codes
- W4900: Shoulder hemiarthroplasty (as sole procedure)
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W7780: Revision stabilisation of shoulder joint
- W4930: Revisional shoulder hemiarthroplasty
- T7917: Core decompression of shoulder
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8603?
W8603 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8603 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8603 cannot be billed together with 20 other codes, including T7915 (Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm), 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)). 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