W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (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 W8680
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- 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)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- 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)
- V2162: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - bilateral
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
W8680 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (23)
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8180: Arthrotomy of small joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- 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
- 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)
- V2162: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - bilateral
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W3530: Removal of percutaneous wire
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
Related codes
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8890: Diagnostic small-bore needle arthroscopy on cavity of joint (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8680?
W8680 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8680 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8680 cannot be billed together with 21 other codes, including W8280 (Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral), W8700 (Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)), W8830 (Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (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