W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)
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 W8840
Neither code can be billed with the other
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- 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
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
W8840 can't be billed with
AXA Health also lists these codes as unacceptable combinations (22)
- W8646: Multiple arthroscopic operations on ankle (including soft tissue +/- bony +/- joint surface procedures) without ligament reconstruction
- W8700: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of joint, +/- biopsy (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8200: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral
- W8230: Arthroscopic meniscal repair
- W7430: Reconstruction of lateral collateral ligament complex
- W8680: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint - bilateral (not otherwise specified) (as sole procedure)
- W8600: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on cavity of joint (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
- S5210: Injection into subcutaneous tissue/painful trigger point under local anaesthetic
- W8380: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - bilateral (as sole procedure)
- W9030: Injection(s) +/- aspiration, into joint, cyst, bursa with image guidance - unilateral
- S4230: Secondary suture of skin
- W8300: Therapeutic arthroscopy operation on articular cartilage (other than W8200) - unilateral (as sole procedure)
- W1660: Tibial osteotomy
- W7530: Repair of lateral collateral ligament complex
- W8280: Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - bilateral
- W8640: Complex therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle, with multiple bony, joint surface and soft tissue procedures +/- ligament reconstruction (as sole procedure)
- W9240: Examination/ manipulation of joint under general anaesthetic +/- injection +/- arthrogram (as sole procedure)
- W9020: Dynamic arthrogram of joint
- A7350: Local anaesthetic blockade of named major nerve or plexus
- W8630: Therapeutic arthroscopy of ankle with either soft tissue procedure or bony +/or joint surface procedure (as sole procedure)
Related codes
- W6017: Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with internal fixation
- W8645: Multiple arthroscopic operations on ankle (including soft tissue +/- bony +/- joint surface procedures) with ligament reconstruction
- W8646: Multiple arthroscopic operations on ankle (including soft tissue +/- bony +/- joint surface procedures) without ligament reconstruction
- W8850: Diagnostic subtalar arthroscopy (as sole procedure, including synovectomy to gain vision)
- W7880: Release of ankle joint contracture (excluding Achilles tendon lengthening)
- W6019: Ankle syndesmosis reconstruction
Frequently asked questions
What is the procedure code for diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision)?
The procedure code is W8840: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination of ankle (as sole procedure, including anterior synovectomy to gain vision).
Which insurers list W8840?
W8840 is listed by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and WPA. Always confirm the code and cover with your insurer.
Can W8840 be billed with other procedures?
The coding rules say W8840 cannot be billed together with 15 other codes, including S4230 (Secondary suture of skin), W8200 (Arthroscopic meniscectomy (including debridement) - unilateral), W8230 (Arthroscopic meniscal repair). 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