Joint injection (medium joint) cost in Charlotte, NC — inpatient
In Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, 14 hospitals list a cash price for joint injection or drainage, medium joint (wrist, elbow, ankle) as an inpatient: from $275.94 to $2,466.00, with a median of $557.25. The lowest listed price is at Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital — $281.31 less than the median here. Across North Carolina, the median is $288.00 at 37 hospitals.
Cash prices at 14 facilities across 11 cities for code 20605, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Dec 1, 2025 and May 11, 2026.
Lowest$275.94Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital
Median$557.25half pay less
Highest$2,466.00in this market
Difference8.9×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC.
median
Lowest $275.94Highest $2,466.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital lowest Mooresville, NC · (704) 660-4000 Arthcs Asp/Inj Int Jt WO US | $275.94 | $1,022.00 | $352.59 | 73% | — source file |
| Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital lowest Mooresville, NC · (704) 660-4000 Arthcs Asp/Inj Int Jt WO US | $275.94 | $1,022.00 | $352.59 | 73% | — source file |
| MUSC Chester Regional Medical Center Chester, SC · (803) 581-3151 HB ARTHO/ASP/INJ/INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $318.50 | $637.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Atrium Health Anson Wadesboro, NC · (704) 694-5131 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,058.78 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Lincoln Lincolnton, NC · (980) 212-2000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $319.53–$1,058.78 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,025.34 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,025.34 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Union Monroe, NC · (704) 283-3100 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,058.78 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,003.05 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte, NC HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $373.36–$1,025.34 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $345.50–$980.76 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,025.34 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Belmont, NC HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $373.36–$1,025.34 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,003.05 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast Concord, NC · (704) 783-3000 HC SP ARTHRO ASPIR/INJ INTERM J | $557.25 | $1,114.50 | $337.69–$1,058.78 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,022.00 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte, NC HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $380.41–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte, NC HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $380.41–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Belmont, NC HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $380.41–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Belmont, NC HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $380.41–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Anson Wadesboro, NC · (704) 694-5131 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Anson Wadesboro, NC · (704) 694-5131 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Lincoln Lincolnton, NC · (980) 212-2000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $325.56–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Lincoln Lincolnton, NC · (980) 212-2000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $325.56–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Union Monroe, NC · (704) 283-3100 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Union Monroe, NC · (704) 283-3100 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Pineville Charlotte, NC · (704) 379-5000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast Concord, NC · (704) 783-3000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast Concord, NC · (704) 783-3000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,078.77 | 50% | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,022.00 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,022.00 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,044.71 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $352.02–$999.28 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ER ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $352.02–$999.28 | 50% | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC · (704) 355-2000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERMED JOINT W/O US | $567.78 | $1,135.55 | $344.07–$1,022.00 | 50% | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Belmont, NC HCHG ASC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERM JOINT | $805.00 | $805.00 | $603.75–$764.75 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Mount Holly, NC HCHG ASC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERM JOINT | $805.00 | $805.00 | — | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Gastonia, NC · (704) 834-4891 HCHG ASC ARTHROCENTESIS INTERM JOINT | $805.00 | $805.00 | $603.75–$764.75 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Belmont, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT RT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Belmont, NC HCHG INJ - INTERMEDIATE JOINT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Mount Holly, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT RT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | — | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Gastonia, NC · (704) 834-4891 HCHG ARTHROCENT ASP INTERMED JT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Gastonia, NC · (704) 834-4891 HCHG INJ - INTERMEDIATE JOINT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Gastonia, NC · (704) 834-4891 HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT LT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Gastonia, NC · (704) 834-4891 HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT RT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Mount Holly, NC HCHG INJ - INTERMEDIATE JOINT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | — | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Belmont, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT LT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Mount Holly, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT ASP INTERMED JT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | — | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Belmont, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT ASP INTERMED JT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | $1,115.25–$1,412.65 | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital one side Mount Holly, NC HCHG ARTHROCENT MED JNT LT | $1,487.00 | $1,487.00 | — | — | May 11, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Lancaster Medical Center Lancaster, SC · (803) 286-1481 HB ARTHO/ASP/INJ/INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $2,466.00 | $4,932.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $275.94, median $557.25, highest $2,466.00 — a 8.9× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 14 facilities here, median $557.25 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 9 of 11 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
This code covers injecting or draining a medium-sized joint such as the wrist, elbow or ankle.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure. The medicine and imaging guidance are billed separately.