Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Salinas, CA
In Salinas, CA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $141.00 to $141.00, with a median of $141.00. Across California, the median is $951.60 at 89 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility 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 Aug 14, 2026 and Aug 14, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County of Monterey Salinas, CA · (831) 755-4111 Aspiration and/or injection of fluid from large joint | $141.00 | $141.00 | $14.00–$119.85 | — | Aug 14, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $141.00, median $141.00, highest $141.00.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is not below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. 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.