Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us
Medicare reimbursement rate, typical hospital charges, and what you should pay for CPT code 20610.
Medicare Rate
(Non-facility / office)
$65.73
2025 national average
Medicare Rate
(Facility / hospital)
$45.18
Physician portion only
Medicare OPPS Rate
(Outpatient facility)
$295.19
2025 outpatient rate
Typical Hospital Charge
(Uninsured / chargemaster)
$197.00–$526.00
3x–8x above Medicare
What is CPT Code 20610?
Aspiration and/or injection of a major joint (knee, shoulder, hip, or ankle). A common in-office procedure to remove fluid or inject corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or other agents for arthritis or injury.
The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.
Who typically bills this:Orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist, or primary care physician (office setting)
Common Billing Errors for CPT 20610
- !Ultrasound guidance (76942) billed alongside 20610 without documentation that imaging guidance was used
- !Separate charges for the corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid drug injected — these may be bundled or may be legitimately separate
- !Bilateral injections billed without bilateral modifier or at full rate for both sides
Red Flags on Your Bill
- ⚑Ultrasound guidance code (76942) billed for every joint injection without documentation that imaging was used
- ⚑Bilateral joint injection billed at full rate for both joints without bilateral discount
Negotiation Tips for CPT 20610
- 1The Medicare rate for 20610 is roughly $40–$50; ultrasound guidance (76942) adds another $30–$40
- 2If the injection was done by touch (palpation), ultrasound guidance should not be billed
- 3Drug costs for Synvisc or Euflexxa are often significant — ask for a price-matched alternative
Codes That Often Appear With This One
These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.
Found CPT 20610 on Your Bill?
If you see CPT code 20610 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.
- Note the amount charged for CPT 20610 on your itemized bill
- Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
- Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 20610 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $65.73. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”
Is CPT 20610 on your bill at a fair price?
Upload your full bill and we'll compare every line item to Medicare rates — then generate a personalized script to negotiate it down.
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Medicare rates shown are based on the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule national averages. Actual rates vary by geographic locality. Typical hospital charge ranges are estimates based on published research and do not represent any specific hospital's prices. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.