Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, 27 hospitals list a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $308.00 to $4,361.00, with a median of $951.60. The lowest listed price is at Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro and 1 other hospital — $643.60 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $951.60 at 89 hospitals.
Cash prices at 27 facilities across 23 cities for code 20610, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Nov 26, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$308.00Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro + 1 more
Median$951.60half pay less
Highest$4,361.00in this market
Difference14.2×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 $308.00Highest $4,361.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro lowest San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance lowest Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance lowest Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance lowest Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro lowest San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro lowest San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $308.00 | $880.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $377.28 | $786.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $377.28 | $786.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 ARTHROCENT ASP/INJ JNT,MAJOR | $392.00 | $1,237.40 | $65.68–$6,000.00 | 68% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us - 20610 - OR36020610 | $392.00 | $6,000.00 | $65.68–$6,000.00 | 93% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 ER ARTHROCENT ASP/INJ JT MAJ | $392.00 | $1,237.40 | $65.68–$1,237.40 | 68% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 ARTHROCENT ASP/INJ JT,MAJOR | $392.00 | $1,237.40 | $65.68–$1,237.40 | 68% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma, CA · (714) 670-7400 Hc Asp/Drain Large Joint/Bursa | $392.00 | $1,585.23 | $65.68–$1,585.23 | 75% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 INJECT/ASPIR MAJOR JOINT/BURSA | $392.00 | $1,084.85 | $65.68–$1,237.40 | 64% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $480.90 | $1,374.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $480.90 | $1,374.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $480.90 | $1,374.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $502.60 | $1,436.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $502.60 | $1,436.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $502.60 | $1,436.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $867.30 | $2,478.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $867.30 | $2,478.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $867.30 | $2,478.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Irvine Irvine, CA ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills, CA · (818) 719-3800 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · (323) 783-4011 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West la Los Angeles, CA · (213) 857-2201 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, CA · (626) 851-1011 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City, CA · (310) 325-5111 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim, CA · (714) 279-4000 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey, CA · (562) 461-6007 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City, CA · (818) 375-2000 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $951.60 | $1,830.00 | $293.00–$871.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 OPG - 0 | $966.88 | $1,487.50 | $1,372.22–$2,912.68 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 HB DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $966.88 | $1,487.50 | $367.57–$9,712.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Ambulatory Surgery û Cigna Grouper Schedule* Grouper 1 | $966.88 | $1,487.50 | $367.57–$9,712.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Outpatient Surgery Group 3 Global Rate | $966.88 | $1,487.50 | $5,406.00–$7,457.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Outpatient Surgical Services | $966.88 | $1,487.50 | $1,372.22–$2,912.68 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $1,037.76 | $2,162.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $1,037.76 | $2,162.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital one side Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 X/S-IR-ARTHROCENT:M.JOINT-LT | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 ARTHROCEN/ASP/INJ MAJ JNT WO | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$3,121.00 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 20610-ASPIRATION /INJ INTO MAJ JOINT | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital one side Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 X/S-IR-ARTHROCENT:M.JOINT-RT | $1,092.35 | $3,121.00 | $386.77–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $1,105.44 | $2,303.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $1,105.44 | $2,303.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC INJ MAJOR JOINT - SHOULDER/HIP/KNEE | $1,194.55 | $3,413.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $1,194.55 | $3,413.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC ED ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US CDM | $1,194.55 | $3,413.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Grouper - 0 | $1,885.20 | $2,900.31 | $367.57–$14,761.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 HB DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $1,885.20 | $2,900.31 | $367.57–$422.70 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Surgery Group 3 Global Rate | $1,885.20 | $2,900.31 | $22,055.00–$22,787.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Surgical Group 0 | $1,885.20 | $2,900.31 | $2,806.68–$9,827.82 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles, CA Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $2,406.75 | $2,406.75 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Arthrocentesis Aspir+/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $4,361.00 | $4,361.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $308.00, median $951.60, highest $4,361.00 — a 14.2× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 24 facilities here, median $951.60. 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 7 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 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 procedure uses a needle to inject medicine into, or draw fluid out of, a large joint such as the knee, shoulder or hip, or a large bursa. It is commonly used for arthritis or bursitis pain, or to test joint fluid.
What the price covers
The price covers the injection or drainage procedure for one joint. The drug itself, such as a steroid or gel injection, and any lab test of the fluid are billed separately.
1 row held back from this comparison
It is priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 20610 ($464.10). 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.
| UCI Health-Orange Orange, CAHB ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $31.60 | file |