W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint,(not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
Current codeBody area: Joints (general)
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 | Check cover | Listed by WPA: check cover at pre-authorisation |
Codes that can't be billed with W8700
Neither code can be billed with the other
- W5540: Debridement of infected total joint replacement
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W5560: OK (Outerbridge and Kashiwagi) procedure
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W7484: Reconstruction of three or more ligaments not elsewhere specified
- W7483: Triquetrolunate ligament reconstruction
- W7482: Scaphoid lunate ligament reconstruction
- W6230: Vascular implantation to carpal bone
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W4230: Revision of total knee replacement – unilateral
- W4280: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - bilateral
- W4242: 2 stage revision of total knee replacement for infection - second stage
- W7480: Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- W4240: 2 stage revision of total knee replacement for infection - first stage
- W4212: Minimally invasive knee replacement +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W4200: Complex primary total knee replacement (i.e. including bone graft, augmentation or osteotomy)
- W7780: Revision stabilisation of shoulder joint
- W8650: Therapeutic subtalar arthroscopy (including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W6018: Revisional ankle arthrodesis (including conversion from total ankle replacement)
- W6017: Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W6016: Open ankle arthrodesis with autogenous graft
- W1590: Correction of retracted/dislocated metatarsophalangeal joint (including tendon transfer, division/realignment of bone and internal fixation)
- W4410: Total prosthetic replacement of ankle joint
- W6015: Open ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W7410: Multiple ligament reconstruction of knee
- W7470: Revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction including autograft/allograft
- W0630: Patellectomy
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W4430: Revision of total prosthetic replacement of ankle joint
- W5201: Unicompartmental Knee Replacement - bilateral
- W7440: Allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- W5300: Bicompartmental knee resurfacing
- W8250: Partial replacement of the meniscus of the knee using a biodegradable scaffold
- W4420: Complex total replacement of ankle (i.e. including custom prosthesis, wedges, internal fixation of fractures)
- 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
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W0632: Prosthetic patello-femoral replacement (as sole procedure) – unilateral
- 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)
- W8850: Diagnostic subtalar arthroscopy (as sole procedure, including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- W5852: Localised patient specific twin knee resurfacing arthroplasty - unilateral
- W0633: Prosthetic replacement of patellofemoral joint - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- W5830: Robotic assisted total knee replacement – unilateral +/- cement, +/- patella
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W5200: Unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W4210: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W5822: Robotic assisted revision of unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W7481: Autograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- T7916: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm with tenodesis of biceps tendon
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
- T7918: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using a biodegradable collagen based scaffold
- W0634: Robotic assisted prosthetic patello-femoral replacement (as sole procedure) – unilateral
W8700 can't be billed with
- W5210: Revision of unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W5800: Conversion of a unicompartmental knee replacement to a total replacement of knee joint
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W4900: Shoulder hemiarthroplasty (as sole procedure)
- W5550: Excision of radial head (as sole procedure)
- W7860: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of elbow (as sole procedure)
- W8880: Arthroscopy of elbow (as sole procedure)
- W1648: Osteotomy/transfer of greater trochanter (as sole procedure)
- W8800: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of hip joint (as sole procedure, including washout, +/- biopsy)
- W0860: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy (as sole procedure) - unilateral
- W0861: Metatarsophalangeal cheilectomy - bilateral, as sole procedure
- W4214: Customised unicompartmental knee replacement
- W4216: Customised bicompartmental knee replacement
- W4218: Customised total prosthetic replacement of knee joint
- W4244: Tibial liner exchange in total knee replacement
- W5851: Localised patient specific knee resurfacing arthroplasty - unilateral
- W5831: Robotic assisted total knee replacement - bilateral +/- cement, +/- patella
- W8646: Multiple arthroscopic operations on ankle (including soft tissue +/- bony +/- joint surface procedures) without ligament reconstruction
- W4231: Robotic assisted revision of total knee replacement - unilateral
- T7941: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - first stage
- T7942: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) - second stage
- W7451: 2 stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - first stage
- W7452: 2 stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - second stage
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (89)
- W7483: Triquetrolunate ligament reconstruction
- W4430: Revision of total prosthetic replacement of ankle joint
- W7420: Autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without lateral tenodesis +/- meniscectomy
- W2830: Removal of internal fixation from bone / joint, excluding K-wires +/- image guidance
- W4280: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - bilateral
- W6017: Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- X3750: Botulinum toxin injections to muscle
- W8630: Therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle with either soft tissue procedure or bony +/or joint surface procedure (as sole procedure)
- W5300: Bicompartmental knee resurfacing
- W9282: Joint fluid examination (e.g. polarising microscopy) performed by consultant (including aspiration of fluid)
- W6230: Vascular implantation to carpal bone
- W7910: Metatarsal osteotomy (e.g. Scarf) for hallux vagus, +/- internal fixation +/- soft tissue correction - unilateral
- W4240: 2 stage revision of total knee replacement for infection - first stage
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8400: Repair of knee ligaments (open or arthroscopic)
- W6016: Open ankle arthrodesis with autogenous graft
- W6015: Open ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W4200: Complex primary total knee replacement (i.e. including bone graft, augmentation or osteotomy)
- W5201: Unicompartmental Knee Replacement - bilateral
- W7482: Scaphoid lunate ligament reconstruction
- W7452: 2 stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - second stage
- W4212: Minimally invasive knee replacement +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W8800: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of hip joint (as sole procedure, including washout, +/- biopsy)
- W4210: Total prosthetic replacement of knee joint +/- cement +/- patella resurfacing - unilateral
- W7440: Allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W7810: Open arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- W7480: Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- T6800: Delayed or secondary repair of tendon (including graft, transfer and/or prosthesis) (not otherwise specified)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (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)"
- W5630: Secondary repair of acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joint +/- internal fixation
- W5540: Debridement of infected total joint replacement
- W0633: Prosthetic replacement of patellofemoral joint - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W7780: Revision stabilisation of shoulder joint
- W8650: Therapeutic subtalar arthroscopy (including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8850: Diagnostic subtalar arthroscopy (as sole procedure, including synovectomy to gain vision)
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W7470: Revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction including autograft/allograft
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W4230: Revision of total knee replacement – unilateral
- W4410: Total prosthetic replacement of ankle joint
- W4420: Complex total replacement of ankle (i.e. including custom prosthesis, wedges, internal fixation of fractures)
- W4242: 2 stage revision of total knee replacement for infection - second stage
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8192: Open subacromial decompression (as sole procedure)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W7485: Small joint (e.g. interphalangeal/ metacarpo-phalangeal joint) ligament reconstruction
- W1660: Tibial osteotomy
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W6913: Total synovectomy of large joint
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W5560: OK (Outerbridge and Kashiwagi) procedure
- W0632: Prosthetic patello-femoral replacement (as sole procedure) – unilateral
- W7484: Reconstruction of three or more ligaments not elsewhere specified
- W8830: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of wrist joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8640: Complex therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle, with multiple bony, joint surface and soft tissue procedures +/- ligament reconstruction (as sole procedure)
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W6018: Revisional ankle arthrodesis (including conversion from total ankle replacement)
- F0910: Surgical removal of impacted/buried tooth/teeth
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W7715: Coracoid bone block transfer for recurrent instability of shoulder (Bristow-Latarjet procedure)
- W7481: Autograft posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction +/- meniscectomy
- W7410: Multiple ligament reconstruction of knee
- W1080: Osteotomy of long bone, +/- fixation (including graft)
- W1590: Correction of retracted/dislocated metatarsophalangeal joint (including tendon transfer, division/realignment of bone and internal fixation)
- W0630: Patellectomy
- W5200: Unicompartmental knee replacement - unilateral
- W7490: Reconstruction of posterior lateral corner of knee
- T7916: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm with tenodesis of biceps tendon
Related codes
- W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W9282: Joint fluid examination (e.g. polarising microscopy) performed by consultant (including aspiration of fluid)
- W9241: Examination/ manipulation of joint under local anaesthetic (as sole procedure)
- W8890: Diagnostic small-bore needle arthroscopy on cavity of joint (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint,(not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8700?
W8700 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health and Vitality. WPA lists it, but you should check cover before treatment. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8700 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8700 cannot be billed together with 92 other codes, including W5540 (Debridement of infected total joint replacement), W8380 (Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (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