W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint,(not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - 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 W8780
Neither code can be billed with the other
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W6015: Open ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W1590: Correction of retracted/dislocated metatarsophalangeal joint (including tendon transfer, division/realignment of bone and internal fixation)
- W6016: Open ankle arthrodesis with autogenous graft
- W6017: Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W6018: Revisional ankle arthrodesis (including conversion from total ankle replacement)
- W8650: Therapeutic subtalar arthroscopy (including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- 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
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- 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)
- W8850: Diagnostic subtalar arthroscopy (as sole procedure, including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W0633: Prosthetic replacement of patellofemoral joint - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
W8780 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (36)
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- W6018: Revisional ankle arthrodesis (including conversion from total ankle replacement)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W6016: Open ankle arthrodesis with autogenous graft
- W8630: Therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle with either soft tissue procedure or bony +/or joint surface procedure (as sole procedure)
- V2161: Therapeutic arthroscopic operation of temporomandibular joint +/- lysis and/or lavage - unilateral
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W8580: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - bilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W8650: Therapeutic subtalar arthroscopy (including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8782: Flexible arthroscopy, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W0633: Prosthetic replacement of patellofemoral joint - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W6015: Open ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W8640: Complex therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle, with multiple bony, joint surface and soft tissue procedures +/- ligament reconstruction (as sole procedure)
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8520: Arthroscopy of knee (including examination under anaesthetic, washout and biopsy) (as sole procedure)
- W6017: Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W1590: Correction of retracted/dislocated metatarsophalangeal joint (including tendon transfer, division/realignment of bone and internal fixation)
- W8500: Multiple arthroscopic operations on knee (including meniscectomy, chondroplasty, drilling or microfracture) - unilateral
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure)
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W8850: Diagnostic subtalar arthroscopy (as sole procedure, including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
Related codes
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (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 W8780: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8780?
W8780 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8780 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8780 cannot be billed together with 32 other codes, including S4230 (Secondary suture of skin), W8230 (Arthroscopic meniscal repair), W6015 (Open ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation). 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