Joint injection (medium joint) cost in Philadelphia, PA
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, 22 hospitals list a cash price for joint injection or drainage, medium joint (wrist, elbow, ankle): from $79.00 to $1,452.00, with a median of $335.20. The lowest listed price is at St Mary Medical Center and 3 other hospitals — $256.20 less than the median here. Across Pennsylvania, the median is $379.80 at 69 hospitals.
Cash prices at 22 facilities across 18 cities for code 20605, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 24, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$79.00St Mary Medical Center + 3 more
Median$335.20half pay less
Highest$1,452.00in this market
Difference18.4×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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
median
Lowest $79.00Highest $11,974.10
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary Medical Center lowest Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa WO U/S Guid | $79.00 | $79.00 | $10.75–$75.05 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital lowest Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa WO U/S Guid | $79.00 | $79.00 | $10.75–$75.05 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital lowest Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa WO U/S Guid | $79.00 | $79.00 | $11.12–$75.05 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital lowest Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa WO U/S Guid | $79.00 | $79.00 | $10.75–$75.05 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Virtua Willingboro Hospital Willinboro, NJ · (609) 835-2900 HC Arthrocentesis Inter Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $143.20 | $1,432.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| West Jersey Hospital Voorhees, NJ · (856) 247-3000 HC Arthrocentesis Inter Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $143.20 | $1,432.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Camden, NJ · (856) 886-5373 HC Arthrocentesis Inter Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $143.20 | $1,432.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Virtua Memorial Hospital Mount Holly, NJ · (609) 267-0700 HC Arthrocentesis Inter Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $143.20 | $1,432.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| West Jersey Hospital Voorhees, NJ · (856) 247-3000 HC Arthrocentesis Inter Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $143.20 | $1,432.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Lower Bucks Hospital Bristol, PA · (215) 785-9200 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa | $301.00 | $1,190.52 | $207.03–$1,190.52 | 75% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Roxborough Memorial Hospital Philadelphia, PA · (215) 483-9900 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa | $313.00 | $1,403.62 | $244.09–$1,403.62 | 78% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Roxborough Memorial Hospital Philadelphia, PA · (215) 483-9900 Hc Drain/Inject Intermediate Joint/Bursa | $313.00 | $1,403.62 | $244.09–$1,403.62 | 78% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Drain/Inject Joint/Bursa | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Drain/Inject Joint/Bursa | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Drain/Inject Joint/Bursa | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Drain/Inject Joint/Bursa | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Drain/Inject Joint/Bursa | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Interm Jt/Burs W/O Us | $335.20 | $838.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Arthrocent Int Jt/Burs/Gan | $405.20 | $1,013.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Arthrocent Int Jt/Burs/Gan | $405.20 | $1,013.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Arthrocent Int Jt/Burs/Gan | $405.20 | $1,013.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Arthrocent Int Jt/Burs/Gan | $405.20 | $1,013.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Arthrocent Int Jt/Burs/Gan | $405.20 | $1,013.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital one side Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Lt | $468.65 | $721.00 | $252.35–$2,608.09 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital one side Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Lt | $477.10 | $734.00 | $31.18–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance | $477.10 | $734.00 | $29.03–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital one side Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Rt | $477.10 | $734.00 | $31.18–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital one side Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Rt | $477.10 | $734.00 | $29.03–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital one side Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Lt | $477.10 | $734.00 | $29.03–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital one side Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Rt | $496.60 | $764.00 | $267.40–$2,608.09 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center one side Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Lt | $696.80 | $1,072.00 | $24.73–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center one side Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Rt | $696.80 | $1,072.00 | $24.73–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance | $696.80 | $1,072.00 | $24.73–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 SMC- ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ ARTHRO/ASP/INJ INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHROCENT MED JNT WO US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ SMC- ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHRO/ASP/INJ INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ SMC- ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHRO/ASP/INJ INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ ARTHROCENT MED JNT WO US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ SMC- ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ INTERM JT/BURS W/O US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ ARTHRO/ASP/INJ INTERMEDIATE JOINT OR BURSA | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHROCENT MED JNT WO US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ ARTHROCENT MED JNT WO US | $857.43 | $857.43 | $56.82–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Bl | $1,045.20 | $1,608.00 | $24.73–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 590-1000 IR Arthrocent,Asp or Inj: Intermed Jt | $1,313.48 | $1,313.48 | $345.71–$9,018.00 | — | — source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 430-4000 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $1,433.54 | $1,433.54 | $21.50–$441.49 | — | — source file |
| Nemours Children's Hospital Wilmington, DE · (302) 651-4000 Injection/Aspiration Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/Out Uls Guidance | $1,452.00 | $1,452.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Nemours Children's Hospital Wilmington, DE · (302) 651-4000 Injection/Aspiration Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/Out Uls Guidance | $1,452.00 | $1,452.00 | — | — | — source file |
| St Mary Medical Center one side Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Intermediate Joint/Bursa W/O Ultrasound Guidance Rt | $11,974.10 | — | $24.73–$5,869.96 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $79.00, median $335.20, highest $1,452.00 — a 18.4× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 14 facilities here, median $335.20. 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 11 of 16 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 4 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.