Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Atlanta, GA
In Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, 37 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 $1,031.13. The lowest listed price is at Willowbrooke at Tanner and 2 other hospitals — $894.33 less than the median here. Across Georgia, the median is $905.19 at 79 hospitals.
Cash prices at 37 facilities across 26 cities for code 20610, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2026 and Jul 1, 2026.
Lowest$136.80Willowbrooke at Tanner + 2 more
Median$1,031.13half pay 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 | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willowbrooke at Tanner lowest Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $136.80 | $342.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% | — source file |
| Higgins General Hospital lowest Bremen, GA · (770) 812-2000 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $136.80 | $342.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton lowest Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $136.80 | $342.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% | — source file |
| Southern Regional Medical Center Southwest Riverdale, GA · (770) 991-8160 Drain/Inj Joint/Bursa W/O Us | $306.00 | $12,500.00 | $129.24–$12,500.00 | 98% | Mar 17, 2026 source file |
| Southern Regional Medical Center Southwest Riverdale, GA · (770) 991-8160 Hc Asp/Drain Large Joint/Bursa | $306.00 | $1,700.14 | $129.24–$12,500.00 | 82% | Mar 17, 2026 source file |
| Shepherd Center Northwest Atlanta, GA HC ARTHCS ASP/INJ MJR JT | $413.50 | $827.00 | $248.10–$744.30 | 50% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$367.64 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton one side Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$337.01 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica one side Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$367.64 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica one side Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION OF FLUID FROM LARGE JOINT | $478.00 | $1,195.00 | $306.37–$367.64 | 60% | — source file |
| Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital Jackson, GA · (770) 775-7861 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Douglas Hospital Douglasville, GA · (770) 949-1500 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Paulding Hospital Hiram, GA · (470) 644-7000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Cobb Hospital Austell, GA · (770) 732-4000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar North Fulton Hospital Roswell, GA · (770) 751-2500 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital Griffin, GA · (770) 228-2721 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Roosevelt Long Term Acute Care At Warm Sp Warm Springs, GA Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Marietta, GA · (770) 793-5000 Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Marietta, GA Hc Inj/Asp/Drn Bursa Major Joint Wo Us Guidance | $905.19 | $2,321.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Atlanta, GA · (404) 785-5252 Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Arthur M. Blank Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance | $966.00 | $966.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Piedmont Rockdale Conyers, GA · (770) 918-3000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $413.83–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Henry Stockbridge, GA · (678) 604-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $291.47–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Mountainside Jasper, GA · (706) 692-2441 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $373.27–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Newnan Newnan, GA · (770) 400-2300 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $323.77–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Newton Covington, GA · (770) 786-7053 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $352.65–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Fayette Fayetteville, GA · (770) 719-7000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $332.37–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Eastside Snellville, GA · (770) 979-0200 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $670.23–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Cartersville Cartersville, GA · (470) 490-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $404.89–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (404) 605-5000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $373.68–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Walton Monroe, GA · (770) 267-8461 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt | $1,031.13 | $3,437.10 | $323.77–$3,437.10 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Rehabilitation Hospital Atlanta, GA Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Decatur Hospital Decatur, GA · (404) 501-1000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Decatur Hospital Decatur, GA · (404) 501-1000 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (678) 843-7001 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (678) 843-7001 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital Lithonia, GA · (404) 501-8040 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital Lithonia, GA · (404) 501-8040 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital Johns Creek, GA · (678) 474-7000 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital Johns Creek, GA · (678) 474-7000 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Rehabilitation Hospital Atlanta, GA Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| DeKalb Medical at Decatur Decatur, GA Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| DeKalb Medical at Decatur Decatur, GA Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-2450 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-2450 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-8500 Hc Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-8500 Hc Pbb Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O Us | $1,282.00 | $1,282.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Atlanta, GA Drain Inject-Shoulder Hip Knee | $1,283.00 | $1,283.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance | $1,425.00 | $1,425.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Piedmont Atlanta both sides Atlanta, GA · (404) 605-5000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $373.68–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Eastside both sides Snellville, GA · (770) 979-0200 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $744.71–$3,784.98 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Newnan both sides Newnan, GA · (770) 400-2300 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $359.75–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Henry both sides Stockbridge, GA · (678) 604-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $323.85–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Mountainside both sides Jasper, GA · (706) 692-2441 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $414.74–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Fayette both sides Fayetteville, GA · (770) 719-7000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $369.30–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Newton both sides Covington, GA · (770) 786-7053 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $373.68–$3,498.35 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Walton both sides Monroe, GA · (770) 267-8461 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $359.75–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Cartersville both sides Cartersville, GA · (470) 490-1000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $449.88–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Rockdale both sides Conyers, GA · (770) 918-3000 HC Arthcs Asp/Inj Mjr Jt Bi | $1,145.70 | $3,819.00 | $459.81–$3,819.00 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Arthur M. Blank both sides Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark both sides Atlanta, GA Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite both sides Atlanta, GA · (404) 785-5252 Arthrocentesis, Major Joint or Bursa, W/O US Guidance Bilateral | $1,785.00 | $1,785.00 | — | — | — source file |
Outpatient: lowest $136.80, median $1,031.13, 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 28 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 15 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 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.