Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Minneapolis, MN
In Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, 22 hospitals list a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $124.10 to $529.93, with a median of $405.38. The lowest listed price is at North Memorial Health Care — $281.28 less than the median here. Across Minnesota, the median is $369.26 at 54 hospitals.
Cash prices at 22 facilities across 18 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 Jan 29, 2026 and Jun 17, 2026.
Lowest$124.10North Memorial Health Care
Median$405.38half pay less
Highest$529.93in this market
Difference4.3×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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI.
median
Lowest $124.10Highest $1,128.24
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Memorial Health Care lowest Robbinsdale, MN · (763) 520-5200 ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIR&/INJ MAJOR JT/BURSA W/O US | $124.10 | $193.00 | $31.80–$186.53 | 36% | — source file |
| Hudson Hospital Hudson, WI · (715) 531-6000 Drainage/injection major joint | $162.40 | $360.00 | $76.39–$2,417.00 | 55% | — source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 20610 Arthrocent Aspir and/ Injectn Major Jt/ Bursa W/O US | $163.00 | $163.00 | $44.14–$163.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 PR DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $164.28 | $262.00 | $29.91–$235.80 | 37% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul, MN · (651) 254-1616 Drainage/injection major joint | $197.86 | $761.00 | $110.89–$1,585.00 | 74% | — source file |
| Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park, MN Drainage/injection major joint | $237.90 | $915.00 | $167.37–$1,850.00 | 74% | — source file |
| Fairview Maple Grove Surgery Center Maple Grove, MN HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $275.49 | $687.00 | $34.03–$678.00 | 60% | May 18, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater, MN · (651) 430-4509 Drainage/injection major joint | $290.82 | $786.00 | $1.90–$1,845.00 | 63% | — source file |
| Westfields Hospital New Richmond, WI · (715) 246-2101 Drainage/injection major joint | $294.03 | $559.00 | $222.03–$754.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul, MN HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $353.29 | $881.00 | $217.61–$792.90 | 60% | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville, MN · (952) 892-2000 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $374.92 | $882.15 | $92.27–$793.93 | 57% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove, MN · (763) 581-1000 Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa; without ultrasound guidance | $435.83 | $827.00 | $199.17–$917.00 | 47% | — source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale, MN · (763) 520-5200 Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa; without ultrasound guidance | $435.83 | $827.00 | $216.80–$1,240.50 | 47% | — source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 SS ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE-PRC | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE- ED | $462.00 | $462.00 | $110.55–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE-SSU | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE - RAD | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 ARTHROCENT MAJ JT WO US GUIDE- RAD | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 IR Inj Arthrocentesis Major Joint | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 INJ ARTHROCENTES MAJ JT WO US | $462.00 | $462.00 | $77.66–$708.02 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG ARTHROCENT ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $478.80 | $855.00 | $172.03–$1,082.40 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG ARTHROCENT ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $478.80 | $855.00 | $172.03–$1,440.69 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG ARTHROCENT ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $478.80 | $855.00 | $172.03–$1,082.40 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG ARTHROCENT ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $513.74 | $1,070.30 | $215.34–$899.05 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG ARTHROCENT ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $513.74 | $1,070.30 | $215.34–$899.05 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury, MN · (651) 232-2185 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $252.46–$1,438.00 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming, MN · (952) 892-2101 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $92.27–$1,189.35 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton, MN · (952) 892-2101 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $92.27–$1,189.35 | 60% | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina, MN · (952) 924-5000 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $252.46–$1,383.00 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast St John's Hospital Maplewood, MN · (651) 232-7000 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $252.46–$1,438.00 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 HC DRAIN/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $92.27–$1,189.35 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 Outpatient Services | $529.93 | $1,321.50 | $92.27–$1,189.35 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG IR INJ OR ASP MAJOR JT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$1,440.69 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG XR ARTHROCENTESIS MAJOR JOINT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$1,440.69 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG RAD ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIRATION INJECTION MAJOR | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$1,440.69 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG RAD ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIRATION INJECTION MAJOR | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG XR ARTHROCENTESIS MAJOR JOINT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG IR INJ OR ASP MAJOR JT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG CT INJECTION MAJOR JOINT BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG RAD ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIRATION INJECTION MAJOR | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG XR ARTHROCENTESIS MAJOR JOINT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG IR INJ OR ASP MAJOR JT OR BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG CT INJECTION MAJOR JOINT BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG CT INJECTION MAJOR JOINT BURSA | $581.11 | $1,037.70 | $208.79–$1,440.69 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG RAD ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIRATION INJECTION MAJOR | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG CT INJECTION MAJOR JOINT BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG IR INJ OR ASP MAJOR JT OR BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG XR ARTHROCENTESIS MAJOR JOINT OR BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG IR INJ OR ASP MAJOR JT OR BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG RAD ARTHROCENTESIS ASPIRATION INJECTION MAJOR | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG XR ARTHROCENTESIS MAJOR JOINT OR BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG CT INJECTION MAJOR JOINT BURSA | $632.83 | $1,318.40 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG ARTHROCENT/ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $862.68 | $1,540.50 | $292.45–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG ARTHROCENT/ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $862.68 | $1,540.50 | $292.45–$2,924.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG ARTHROCENT/ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $862.68 | $1,540.50 | $292.45–$1,540.50 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG ARTHROCENT/ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $1,128.24 | $2,350.50 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG ARTHROCENT/ASPIR/INJ MAJOR JOINT/BURSA WO US | $1,128.24 | $2,350.50 | $244.24–$3,243.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $124.10, median $405.38, highest $529.93 — a 4.3× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 22 facilities here, median $353.29. 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 21 of 22 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it 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.
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina, MNAS DRAIN/INJECT LARGE JOINT/BURSA | $27.80 | file |