Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Philadelphia, PA
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, 22 hospitals list a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $98.00 to $1,797.46, with a median of $456.00. The lowest listed price is at Nazareth Hospital and 3 other hospitals — $358.00 less than the median here. Across Pennsylvania, the median is $456.00 at 72 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 Mar 24, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$98.00Nazareth Hospital + 3 more
Median$456.00half pay less
Highest$1,797.46in this market
Difference18.3×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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
median
Lowest $98.00Highest $11,025.90
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nazareth Hospital lowest Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Major Joint/Bursa W/O U/S Guidance | $98.00 | $98.00 | $11.75–$186.20 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital lowest Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Major Joint/Bursa W/O U/S Guidance | $98.00 | $98.00 | $11.75–$186.20 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center lowest Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Major Joint/Bursa W/O U/S Guidance | $98.00 | $98.00 | $11.75–$186.20 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital lowest Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Major Joint/Bursa W/O U/S Guidance | $98.00 | $98.00 | $12.26–$186.20 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Camden, NJ · (856) 886-5373 HC Arthrocentesis Major Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $170.90 | $1,709.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Virtua Memorial Hospital Mount Holly, NJ · (609) 267-0700 HC Arthrocentesis Major Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $170.90 | $1,709.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| West Jersey Hospital Voorhees, NJ · (856) 247-3000 HC Arthrocentesis Major Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $170.90 | $1,709.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Virtua Willingboro Hospital Willinboro, NJ · (609) 835-2900 HC Arthrocentesis Major Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $170.90 | $1,709.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| West Jersey Hospital Voorhees, NJ · (856) 247-3000 HC Arthrocentesis Major Joint / Bursa W/O US Guide | $170.90 | $1,709.00 | $322.61–$16,391.00 | 90% | — source file |
| Lower Bucks Hospital Bristol, PA · (215) 785-9200 Drain/Inj Joint/Bursa W/O Us | $301.00 | $6,763.00 | $207.03–$5,410.40 | 96% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Lower Bucks Hospital Bristol, PA · (215) 785-9200 Hc Asp/Drain Large Joint/Bursa | $301.00 | $1,190.52 | $207.03–$5,410.40 | 75% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Roxborough Memorial Hospital Philadelphia, PA · (215) 483-9900 Hc Asp/Drain Large 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 Asp/Drain Large Joint/Bursa | $313.00 | $1,403.62 | $244.09–$1,403.62 | 78% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $456.00 | $1,140.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $456.00 | $1,140.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $456.00 | $1,140.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $456.00 | $1,140.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $456.00 | $1,140.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Arthrocent Mjr Jt/Bur/Gan | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Arthrocent Asp/Inj Jt Major | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood, PA · (610) 645-2000 Hc Arthrocent Mjr Jt/Bur/Gan | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Arthrocent Asp/Inj Jt Major | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli, PA · (610) 648-1000 Hc Arthrocent Mjr Jt/Bur/Gan | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern, PA Hc Arthrocent Asp/Inj Jt Major | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Arthrocent Asp/Inj Jt Major | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media, PA · (610) 566-9400 Hc Arthrocent Mjr Jt/Bur/Gan | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Arthrocent Asp/Inj Jt Major | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr, PA · (610) 526-3000 Hc Arthrocent Mjr Jt/Bur/Gan | $500.80 | $1,252.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| St. Francis Hospital one side Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $710.45 | $1,093.00 | $326.71–$2,608.09 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital one side Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Lt | $710.45 | $1,093.00 | $326.71–$2,608.09 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center one side Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $800.80 | $1,232.00 | $27.03–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center one side Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Lt | $800.80 | $1,232.00 | $27.03–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital one side Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Lt | $856.05 | $1,317.00 | $31.73–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital one side Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $856.05 | $1,317.00 | $31.73–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Bl | $1,066.00 | $1,640.00 | $326.71–$2,608.09 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Langhorne, PA · (215) 750-2003 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Bl | $1,201.20 | $1,848.00 | $27.03–$3,782.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Bl | $1,284.40 | $1,976.00 | $31.73–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Hospital one side Wilmington, DE · (302) 421-4100 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $1,306.35 | — | $326.71–$2,608.09 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital one side Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $1,372.80 | $2,112.00 | $34.08–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital one side Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Lt | $1,372.80 | $2,112.00 | $34.08–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 430-4000 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $1,433.54 | $1,433.54 | $23.50–$441.49 | — | — source file |
| Nemours Children's Hospital Wilmington, DE · (302) 651-4000 Injection/Aspiration Large 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 Large 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/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $1,488.43 | — | $27.03–$3,782.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital one side Darby, PA · (215) 237-4000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $1,521.06 | — | $31.73–$3,742.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ Arthrocentesis- aspiration and/or injection- large | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ CT ARTHROCENT LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LRG JT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS MJR. JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LRG JT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LRG JT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS MJR. JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $295.04–$12,612.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 Arthrocentesis- aspiration and/or injection- large | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $279.11–$12,612.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ CT ARTHROCENT LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS MJR. JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $273.19–$12,612.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury Woodbury, NJ Arthrocentesis- aspiration and/or injection- large | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington Salem, NJ Arthrocentesis- aspiration and/or injection- large | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$4,105.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 CT ARTHROCENT LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Mullica Hill, NJ CT ARTHROCENT LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHROCENTESIS LRG JT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHROCENTESIS MJR. JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHROCENTESIS LARGE JOINT | $1,621.29 | $1,621.29 | $295.04–$12,612.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 590-1000 Inject/Aspirate Joint - Large | $1,797.46 | $1,797.46 | $31.73–$1,617.71 | — | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 590-1000 It Arthrocent,Asp or Inj: Large Jt | $1,797.46 | $1,797.46 | $473.09–$9,018.00 | — | — source file |
| Nazareth Hospital Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Bl | $2,059.20 | $3,168.00 | $34.08–$3,742.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Nazareth Hospital one side Philadelphia, PA · (215) 335-6000 HC Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Inj Major Joint/Bursa W/O US Guidance Rt | $6,925.81 | — | $34.08–$3,742.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · (215) 430-4000 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT | $11,025.90 | $11,025.90 | $23.50–$988.00 | — | — source file |
| Inspira Health Center Woodbury both sides Woodbury, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LG JOINT BILATERAL | $3,242.58 | $3,242.58 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Elmer both sides Elmer, NJ · (856) 363-1000 ARTHROCENTESIS LG JOINT BILATERAL | $3,242.58 | $3,242.58 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mannington both sides Salem, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LG JOINT BILATERAL | $3,242.58 | $3,242.58 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
| Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill both sides Mullica Hill, NJ ARTHROCENTESIS LG JOINT BILATERAL | $3,242.58 | $3,242.58 | $87.37–$6,872.00 | — | Mar 24, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $98.00, median $456.00, highest $1,797.46 — a 18.3× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $3,242.58, median $3,242.58, highest $3,242.58.
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 14 facilities here, median $456.00. 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 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 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.