Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Atlanta, GA
In Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, 36 hospitals list a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $136.80 to $1,283.00, with a median of $998.57. The lowest listed price is at Willowbrooke at Tanner and 2 other hospitals — $861.77 less than the median here. Across Georgia, the median is $905.19 at 82 hospitals.
- The median here, $998.57, is 127% above the US median of $439.76.
- That is 3.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($313.60).
- 11 of 36 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 36 facilities across 26 cities for code 20610, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Oct 30, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2026 and Aug 6, 2026.
Lowest$136.80Willowbrooke at Tanner + 2 more
Median$998.57half of hospitals charge less
Highest$1,283.00in this market
Difference9.4×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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA.
median
Lowest $136.80Highest $1,785.00
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willowbrooke at Tanner lowest Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $136.80 | $342.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% |
| Higgins General Hospital lowest Bremen, GA · (770) 812-2000 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $136.80 | $342.00 | — | 60% |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton lowest Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $136.80 | $342.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% |
| Southern Regional Medical Center Southwest Riverdale, GA · (770) 991-8160 Hc Asp/Drain Large Joint/Bursa+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2026 · source file | $306.00 | $1,700.14 | $129.24–$12,500.00 | 82% |
| Shepherd Center Northwest Atlanta, GA HC ARTHCS ASP/INJ MJR JT File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $413.50 | $827.00 | $248.10–$744.30 | 50% |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica one side Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$367.64 | 60% |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$367.64 | 60% |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton one side Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% |
| Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Marietta, GA Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Roosevelt Long Term Acute Care At Warm Sp Warm Springs, GA Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Cobb Hospital Austell, GA · (770) 732-4000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital Jackson, GA · (770) 775-7861 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital Griffin, GA · (770) 228-2721 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Douglas Hospital Douglasville, GA · (770) 949-1500 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Marietta, GA · (770) 793-5000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar Paulding Hospital Hiram, GA · (470) 644-7000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Wellstar North Fulton Hospital Roswell, GA · (770) 751-2500 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Arthur M. Blank Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — |
| Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Atlanta, GA · (404) 785-5252 Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — |
| Piedmont Fayette Fayetteville, GA · (770) 719-7000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $332.37–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Newton Covington, GA · (770) 786-7053 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $352.65–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Newnan Newnan, GA · (770) 400-2300 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $323.77–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Rockdale Conyers, GA · (770) 918-3000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $413.83–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Henry Stockbridge, GA · (678) 604-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $291.47–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Mountainside Jasper, GA · (706) 692-2441 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $373.27–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Walton Monroe, GA · (770) 267-8461 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $323.77–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Cartersville Cartersville, GA · (470) 490-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $404.89–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Eastside Snellville, GA · (770) 979-0200 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $670.23–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Piedmont Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (404) 605-5000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $373.68–$3,437.10 | 70% |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital Johns Creek, GA · (678) 474-7000 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| DeKalb Medical at Decatur Decatur, GA Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Emory Decatur Hospital Decatur, GA · (404) 501-1000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-8500 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-2450 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital Lithonia, GA · (404) 501-8040 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (678) 843-7001 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Atlanta, GA Drain Inject-Shoulder Hip Knee File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $1,283.00 | $1,283.00 | $295.32–$873.59 | — |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $1,425.00 | $1,425.00 | $328.00–$970.28 | — |
| Piedmont Mountainside both sides Jasper, GA · (706) 692-2441 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $414.74–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Newnan both sides Newnan, GA · (770) 400-2300 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $359.75–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Rockdale both sides Conyers, GA · (770) 918-3000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $459.81–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Newton both sides Covington, GA · (770) 786-7053 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $373.68–$3,498.35 | 70% |
| Piedmont Atlanta both sides Atlanta, GA · (404) 605-5000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $373.68–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Eastside both sides Snellville, GA · (770) 979-0200 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $744.71–$3,784.98 | 70% |
| Piedmont Fayette both sides Fayetteville, GA · (770) 719-7000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $369.30–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Walton both sides Monroe, GA · (770) 267-8461 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $359.75–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Henry both sides Stockbridge, GA · (678) 604-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $323.85–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Piedmont Cartersville both sides Cartersville, GA · (470) 490-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $449.88–$3,819.00 | 70% |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Arthur M. Blank both sides Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark both sides Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — |
| Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite both sides Atlanta, GA · (404) 785-5252 Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral File of May 14, 2026 · source file | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — |
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 $136.80, median $998.57, highest $1,283.00 — a 9.4× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $1,145.70, median $1,145.70, highest $1,785.00 — a 1.6× difference within the same market.
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 27 facilities here, median $1,031.13. 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 14 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 2 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 (cortisone shot) is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Joint injection (cortisone shot) explained.