W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint,(as sole procedure)
Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (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 W8820
Neither code can be billed with the other
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- 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
W8820 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (38)
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W9040: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa - unilateral
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W5600: Primary repair of rupture of acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joint +/- internal fixation
- W1920: Primary open reduction of long bone with fixation
- W9111: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure) - bilateral"
- 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)
- T7231: Open release of constriction of sheath of tendon (e.g. trigger finger)
- W8193: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
- 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
- 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)
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- S1500: Biopsy of skin or subcutaneous tissue
- W7714: Primary open or arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation procedure (including labral/SLAP/tendon repair)
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- T7982: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- W7715: Coracoid bone block transfer for recurrent instability of shoulder (Bristow-Latarjet procedure)
- W0850: Partial excision of bone (including exostoses)
- T7910: Open subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair +/- excision of distal clavicle
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- T7915: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- T6450: Tenodesis of biceps tendon (as sole procedure)
- W8603: Therapeutic arthroscopy of shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W9050: Shoulder hydrodistension +/- image guidance
- W9112: Manipulation of joint (including intra-articular injection) for Frozen Shoulder" (as sole procedure)"
- W8194: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and excision of distal clavicle (including arthroscopic procedures in glenohumeral joint)
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- T6220: Excision of bursa
- W7780: Revision stabilisation of shoulder joint
- W8150: Arthrotomy of large joint (including removal of loose body from joint)
- W0890: Excision distal clavicle (as sole procedure)
Related codes
- W7718: Primary arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation procedure (including labral/SLAP/tendon repair)
- W8110: Arthroscopic excision of calcific deposits from shoulder (as sole procedure)
- W7872: Arthroscopic arthrolysis of shoulder contracture +/- manipulation/injection
- 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"
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint,(as sole procedure)?
The procedure code is W8820: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of shoulder joint, +/- biopsy (as sole procedure).
Which insurers list W8820?
W8820 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8820 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8820 cannot be billed together with 26 other codes, including S4230 (Secondary suture of skin), T7915 (Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair greater than 2cm), W8200 (Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral). 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