Joint injection (cortisone shot) cost in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, 19 hospitals publish a cash price for injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound: from $98.00 to $1,636.23, with a median of $478.10. The lowest price is at The Mercy Hospital (Springfield). The highest price is 16.7× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 20610. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 23, 2026.
Lowest$98.00The Mercy Hospital
Median$478.10half pay less
Highest$1,636.23in Massachusetts
Lowest saves$380.10vs the median
Hospitals in Massachusetts, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mercy Hospital lowest Springfield · Springfield, MA PR Arthrocentesis/Aspiration/Injection Major Joint/Bursa W/O U/S Guidance | $98.00 | $98.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Hospital Great Barrington · Pittsfield, MA Drn/Inj Mjr Jt/Brsa w/o US MCR | $247.95 | $261.00 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Boston Medical Center South Brockton · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $249.67 | $554.82 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Brighton Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $261.17 | $580.37 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $342.45 | $761.00 | — source file |
| Melrosewakefield Healthcare Melrose · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $374.50 | $535.00 | — source file |
| Holyoke Medical Center Holyoke · Springfield, MA Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us | $395.00 | $395.00 | — source file |
| Tufts Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $451.50 | $645.00 | — source file |
| Milford Regional Medical Center Milford · Worcester, MA Arthrocentesis Major Joint | $459.00 | $459.00 | — source file |
| Lowell General Hospital Lowell · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir&/Inj Major Jt/Bursa W/O US | $478.10 | $683.00 | — source file |
| Cambridge Health Alliance Cambridge · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Arthrocentesis Aspir, Large Joint/Bursa W/O US | $500.00 | $500.00 | — source file |
| Berkshire Medical Center Pittsfield · Pittsfield, MA Drn/Inj Mjr Jt/Brsa w/o US | $587.91 | $618.85 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| North Adams Regional Hospital North Adams · Pittsfield, MA Drn/Inj Mjr Jt/Brsa w/o US | $587.91 | $618.85 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Brown University Health Morton Hospital Taunton · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA HC INJ ASP MAJOR JOINT | $642.69 | $642.69 | — source file |
| Saint Anne's Hospital Fall River · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA HC INJ ASP MAJOR JOINT | $666.20 | $666.20 | — source file |
| UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital Southbridge · Worcester, MA HC Arthrocentesis, Aspiration/Injection Major Joint or Bursa W/O US Guid | $766.00 | $766.00 | Apr 3, 2026 source file |
| HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital Leominster · Worcester, MA HC Arthrocentesis, Aspiration/Injection Major Joint or Bursa W/O US Guid | $875.00 | $875.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| UMass Memorial Medical Center Worcester · Worcester, MA HC Arthrocentesis, Aspiration/Injection Major Joint or Bursa W/O US Guid | $1,394.00 | $1,394.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Boston Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH DRAIN/INJ JOINT/BURSA W/O US | $1,636.23 | $1,636.23 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 8 | $249.67 | $413.00 |
| Worcester, MA | 4 | $459.00 | $820.50 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 3 | $247.95 | $587.91 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 2 | $642.69 | $654.44 |
| Springfield, MA | 2 | $98.00 | $246.50 |
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.
Injection or fluid drainage of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip), no ultrasound in other states
- Alabama$902.38
- Alaska$418.00
- Arizona$2,599.00
- Arkansas$172.90
- California$951.60
- Colorado$1,578.27
- Connecticut$260.00
- Delaware$957.97
- Florida$877.15
- Georgia$905.19
- Hawaii$596.40
- Idaho$672.00
- Illinois$450.00
- Indiana$379.25
- Iowa$152.80
- Kansas$342.23
- Kentucky$1,105.20
- Louisiana$258.30
- Maine$142.75
- Maryland$182.55
- Michigan$360.75
- Minnesota$369.26
- Mississippi$128.70
- Missouri$191.10
- Montana$282.33
- Nebraska$191.10
- Nevada$333.00
- New Hampshire$192.45
- New Jersey$393.89
- New Mexico$239.36
- New York$349.32
- North Carolina$392.50
- North Dakota$324.75
- Ohio$696.00
- Oklahoma$154.05
- Oregon$184.60
- Pennsylvania$456.00
- Rhode Island$343.00
- South Carolina$556.00
- South Dakota$750.00
- Tennessee$295.05
- Texas$592.44
- Utah$548.03
- Vermont$123.90
- Virginia$478.00
- Washington$565.50
- West Virginia$273.25
- Wisconsin$345.15
- Wyoming$158.61
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.