Joint injection (medium joint) cost in Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, 45 hospitals list a cash price for joint injection or drainage, medium joint (wrist, elbow, ankle): from $67.90 to $3,910.25, with a median of $608.40. The lowest listed price is at Catalina Island Medical Center — $540.50 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $608.40 at 185 hospitals.
- The median here, $608.40, is 61% above the US median of $378.51.
- That is 1.9× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($313.60).
- Los Angeles, CA ranks 3rd of 5 metro areas in California by median, cheapest first.
- 13 of 45 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 45 facilities across 35 cities for code 20605, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Nov 26, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026.
Lowest$67.90Catalina Island Medical Center
Median$608.40half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,910.25in this market
Difference57.6×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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.
median
Lowest $67.90Highest $3,910.25
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Island Medical Center lowest Avalon, CA · (310) 510-0700 Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from medium joint File of Jul 20, 2026 · source file | $67.90 | $97.00 | $26.74–$43.67 | 30% |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US CDM+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $196.00 | $560.00 | — | 65% |
| California Hospital Medical Center LA Los Angeles, CA · (213) 748-2411 ARTHROCEN ASP INTER JT WO File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $223.80 | $468.00 | $19.87–$9,363.00 | 52% |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US CDM+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $280.00 | $800.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US CDM+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $280.00 | $800.00 | — | 65% |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERM W/O ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.92 | $679.00 | — | 52% |
| Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center Glendale, CA · (818) 502-1900 ARTHROCEN ASP INTER JT WO File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $353.95 | $1,125.00 | $43.57–$6,956.00 | 69% |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 INJECTION-JOINT+2 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $515.00 | $54.46–$1,237.40 | 24% |
| Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center Garden Grove, CA · (714) 537-5160 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $1,585.23 | $54.46–$1,585.23 | 75% |
| San Dimas Community Hospital San Dimas, CA · (909) 599-6811 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $1,656.85 | $54.46–$1,656.85 | 76% |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 ARTHROCENT ASP/INJ JT*INTERMED+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $1,237.40 | $54.46–$6,000.00 | 68% |
| West Anaheim Medical Center Anaheim, CA · (714) 827-3000 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $982.63 | $54.46–$982.63 | 60% |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma, CA · (714) 670-7400 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $982.63 | $54.46–$982.63 | 60% |
| St Francis Medical Center Lynwood, CA · (310) 900-8900 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $1,308.85 | $54.46–$1,177.97 | 70% |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 ER ARTHROCENT ASP/INJ JT INTER File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $392.00 | $1,237.40 | $54.46–$1,237.40 | 68% |
| St Mary Medical Center Long Beach, CA · (562) 491-9000 ARTHROCEN ASP INTER JT WO File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $460.73 | $1,065.00 | $19.87–$8,742.00 | 57% |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US CDM+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $480.90 | $1,374.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US CDM+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $522.55 | $1,493.00 | — | 65% |
| Pacifica Hospital of the Valley Sun Valley, CA · (818) 767-3310 Arthrocentesis Asp/injinterm J source file | $543.00 | $543.00 | $272.00–$543.00 | — |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills, CA · (818) 719-3800 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey, CA · (562) 461-6007 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West LA Los Angeles, CA · (213) 857-2201 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · (323) 783-4011 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim, CA · (714) 279-4000 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City, CA · (818) 375-2000 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, CA · (626) 851-1011 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Fnd Hospital - Irvine Irvine, CA · (714) 279-4000 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City, CA · (310) 325-5111 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $608.40 | $1,170.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERMED+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | — | 65% |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERM W/O ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $844.80 | $1,760.00 | — | 52% |
| Valley Presbyterian Hospital Van Nuys, CA · (818) 782-6600 INJECTION ASPIRATION LG JOINT File of Jul 9, 2026 · source file | $913.00 | $913.00 | $228.25–$1,766.00 | — |
| Chapman Global Medical Center one side Orange, CA · (714) 633-0011 ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US LT+1 more line at this price File of May 6, 2026 · source file | $967.00 | $967.00 | $45.56–$3,954.00 | — |
| Anaheim Global Medical Center one side Anaheim, CA · (714) 533-6220 ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US LT+1 more line at this price File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $967.00 | $967.00 | $37.97–$3,954.00 | — |
| Orange County Global Medical Center one side Santa Ana, CA · (714) 953-3500 ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US LT+1 more line at this price File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $967.00 | $967.00 | $45.56–$3,954.00 | — |
| Providence St Joseph Hospital Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERM W/O ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,037.76 | $2,162.00 | — | 52% |
| Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare Pomona, CA · (909) 596-7733 Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from medium joint File of Oct 5, 2026 · source file | $1,060.37 | $815.67 | $54.46–$2,530.00 | -30% |
| USC Arcadia Hospital one side Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 X/S-ARTHROCENT:I.JOINT-LEFT+3 more lines at this price File of Jul 27, 2026 · source file | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$10,420.38 | 65% |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 ARTHROCEN/ASP/INJ MED JOINT WO File of Jul 27, 2026 · source file | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$3,121.00 | 65% |
| Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Norwalk, CA · (310) 532-4200 DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $1,202.00 | $1,202.00 | $51.14–$961.60 | — |
| Memorial Hospital of Gardena Gardena, CA · (310) 532-4200 ASPIR/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERMED+3 more lines at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $1,262.10 | $1,262.10 | $51.14–$2,428.00 | — |
| Community Hospital of Huntington Park Huntington Park, CA · (323) 583-1931 ASPIR/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERMED+3 more lines at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $1,262.10 | $1,262.10 | $51.14–$2,428.00 | — |
| Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Norwalk, CA · (310) 532-4200 ASPIR/INJECT JOINT/BURSA INTERMED+2 more lines at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $1,262.10 | $1,262.10 | $51.14–$2,428.00 | — |
| East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Los Angeles, CA · (323) 268-5514 DRAIN/INJECT JOINT/BURSA+3 more lines at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $1,262.10 | $1,262.10 | $51.14–$2,428.00 | — |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles, CA Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 | — | — |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital one side Los Angeles, CA Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us Rt+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 | — | — |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Grouper - 0+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 26, 2025 · source file | $1,638.40 | $2,520.61 | $367.57–$15,354.00 | 35% |
| Catalina Island Medical Center Avalon, CA · (310) 510-0700 Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from medium joint File of Jul 20, 2026 · source file | $1,795.63 | $2,565.18 | $54.46–$2,565.18 | 30% |
| Childrens Hospital at Mission - Cerner Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 365-2408 JOINT ASPIRATION MAJOR-PEDS+1 more line at this price File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $1,873.00 | $1,873.00 | $37.97–$4,291.00 | — |
| Anaheim Global Medical Center Anaheim, CA · (714) 533-6220 ER-ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $2,112.00 | $2,112.00 | $37.97–$2,254.00 | — |
| Chapman Global Medical Center Orange, CA · (714) 633-0011 ER-ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US File of May 6, 2026 · source file | $2,112.00 | $2,112.00 | $45.56–$2,254.00 | — |
| Orange County Global Medical Center Santa Ana, CA · (714) 953-3500 ER-ARTHRCNTSS ASPINJ INTRMDT JNTBURSA WO US File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $2,112.00 | $2,112.00 | $45.56–$2,254.00 | — |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,910.25 | $3,910.25 | — | — |
| Keck Hospital of USC one side Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us Lt+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,910.25 | $3,910.25 | — | — |
| St Mary Medical Center both sides Long Beach, CA · (562) 491-9000 ARTHROC ASP INTR JT WO BI File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $691.31 | $1,598.00 | $19.87–$8,742.00 | 57% |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $67.90, median $608.40, highest $3,910.25 — a 57.6× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $691.31, median $691.31, highest $691.31.
The two groups are not comparable and are not averaged together: a
price for both sides of the body covers twice the work. Merging them is how a single
published "median" ends up far above what one side actually costs.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 36 facilities here, median $608.40. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 31 of 34 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 joint injection (medium joint) is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Joint injection (medium joint) explained.
1 row held back from this comparison
It is priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 20605 ($393.00). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.
| Hospital | Cash price | File |
|---|---|---|
| UCI Health-Orange Orange, CAHB ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US | $32.00 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.