Joint aspiration or injection (small joint) Cost

Joint aspiration or injection (small joint) is a hospital service. Prices are from 2119 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$385median cash price · 2119 hospitals, 52 statestypically $121–$1,059 depending on the hospital
≈ 6.9× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$685
Cash / self-pay
$385
Insurer-negotiated
$344
Medicare pays
$56
$121$1,059
Median cash $385  ·  Medicare $56  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $385 — about 6.9× the Medicare rate ($56). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($112).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $685 list price could save about $301 (44%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Miller County Hospital Colquitt, GA $58 $93 — 80 min 15.1%
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Martinez, CA $58 — ★ 4/5 175 min 14.2%
North Texas Medical Center Gainesville, TX $58 $282 ★ 4/5 121 min 14.9%
Nathan Littauer Hospital Gloversville, NY $59 — ★ 2/5 172 min 15.0%
Lifebrite Community Hospital of Stokes Danbury, NC $60 $88 — — 15.1%
Ozark Health Clinton, AR $60 $96 ★ 4/5 150 min 14.7%
Northwest Florida Community Hospital Chipley, FL $61 $35 ★ 2/5 — 14.3%
Nemaha County Hospital Auburn, NE $61 $34 — 110 min 14.7%
Trinity Hospital Weaverville, CA $62 $65 — 70 min 14.5%
John H Stroger Jr Hospital Chicago, IL $62 $44 ★ 2/5 280 min 15.0%
Provident Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL $62 $44 — 222 min 15.5%
Hocking Valley Community Hospital Logan, OH $63 $49 — — 15.3%
Merrick Medical Center Central City, NE $63 $101 — 125 min 14.6%
Crete Area Medical Center Crete, NE $63 $100 — 100 min 14.8%
Smith County Emergency Hospital Raleigh, MS $65 $216 — — —
Covington County Hospital CAH Collins, MS $65 $216 — 72 min 14.8%
Hospital General De Castaner Castaner, PR $65 $50 — — —
Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Grove Hill, AL $65 $283 — 162 min —
Cimarron Memorial Hospital Boise City, OK $67 $90 — 107 min 14.8%
McKenzie Health System Sandusky, MI $67 $55 — 134 min 15.1%
Rosebud Health Care Center Forsyth, MT $67 $66 — 105 min —
Androscoggin Valley Hospital Berlin, NH $67 $94 ★ 2/5 113 min 14.3%
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center Anniston, AL $68 $275 ★ 1/5 232 min 15.7%
Coleman County Medical Center Company Coleman, TX $68 $55 — 134 min 15.5%
Weeks Medical Center Lancaster, NH $68 $54 — 106 min 14.6%

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated August 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Joint aspiration or injection (small joint)

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $385; Medicare pays $56.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 302
$29
$17 – $272
Univera 15
$43
$29 – $64
Amerigroup 158
$48
$24 – $324
Independent Health 24
$68
$40 – $409
Medicare 496
$112
$14 – $365
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 116
$157
$57 – $725
AmeriHealth 197
$172
$19 – $972
Tricare / VA 347
$235
$28 – $581
Harvard Pilgrim 38
$247
$81 – $790
MVP Health Care 69
$269
$51 – $1,290
Molina Healthcare 536
$271
$25 – $971
Priority Health 49
$273
$40 – $2,571
Geisinger 68
$276
$24 – $1,279
Highmark 116
$277
$26 – $1,047
Centene / Ambetter 730
$282
$25 – $948
Sanford Health Plan 68
$284
$36 – $696
Devoted Health 151
$287
$56 – $363
HealthPartners 224
$290
$34 – $814
UPMC Health Plan 92
$290
$30 – $815
UCare 73
$291
$33 – $584
Humana 950
$294
$34 – $2,569
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1209
$302
$29 – $1,725
Anthem 508
$304
$23 – $2,866
Medica 209
$311
$60 – $1,005
UnitedHealthcare 1414
$316
$36 – $2,210
Kaiser Permanente 198
$329
$33 – $913
Security Health Plan 55
$336
$91 – $908
Aetna 1296
$386
$52 – $3,417
Health Net 270
$393
$57 – $1,259
SelectHealth 43
$406
$120 – $4,882
EmblemHealth 60
$460
$86 – $12,211
Coventry 129
$473
$96 – $1,433
MultiPlan / PHCS network 729
$502
$123 – $1,300
AvMed 56
$535
$219 – $24,023
Cigna 1065
$749
$95 – $5,329
Bright Health 52
$827
$407 – $2,644
Oscar Health 220
$1,997
$181 – $3,007
Healthcare Highways 44
$2,069
$265 – $14,612

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
New Hampshire$126
Maryland$156
Alaska$165
Montana$196
Nebraska$211
Mississippi$232

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXHouston, TXDallas, TXCincinnati, OHNew York, NYBaltimore, MDBrooklyn, NYKansas City, MOOklahoma City, OKPittsburgh, PABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHFort Worth, TXLos Angeles, CANashville, TNSacramento, CASaint Louis, MOArlington, TXBaton Rouge, LABirmingham, ALLittle Rock, AR

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioPennsylvaniaFloridaWisconsinIllinoisNew YorkMinnesotaNorth CarolinaGeorgiaMichiganColoradoMissouriLouisianaTennesseeNebraskaIowaOklahomaKentuckyKansasIndianaWashingtonArkansasArizonaVirginiaMississippiMassachusettsWest VirginiaSouth CarolinaAlabamaMaineNew JerseyOregonSouth DakotaIdahoNorth DakotaConnecticutUtahNevadaNew HampshireMarylandMontanaNew MexicoWyomingPuerto RicoHawaiiVermontAlaskaRhode IslandDelawareWashington DC

Doctors who perform this

Clinicians who reported the most Medicare volume for this service. This reflects Original Medicare activity only and is a volume signal, not a quality ranking.

ClinicianSpecialtyLocationMedicare services
Hyun Kang, D.P.M.PodiatryGarden Grove, CA1,361
Douglas Livingston, D.P.M.PodiatryNorth Bellmore, NY1,078
Parker Gennett, DPMPodiatryBinghamton, NY1,045
Henry Ginsberg, DPMPodiatryWest Hempstead, NY982
Margaret Napolitano, M.D.Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryLexington, KY957
Cory Peters, PAPhysician AssistantJacksonville, FL888
Madison Johnston, PAPhysician AssistantFort Worth, TX873
George White, M.D.Orthopedic SurgeryOrlando, FL809
Jaewoo Pak, M.D.Internal MedicineIrvine, CA676
Justin Kearse, M.D.Hand SurgeryWest Palm Beach, FL633
Cynthia Harding, MDOrthopedic SurgeryThe Villages, FL632
Lisa Longhofer, MDOrthopedic SurgeryAmarillo, TX626

Browse doctors by specialty & city →

Does Medicare cover Joint aspiration or injection (small joint)?

Yes — Medicare generally covers Joint aspiration or injection (small joint). It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $56. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $11 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2119 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $385, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $685, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $344, a Medicare rate of about $56. Most cash prices fall between $121 and $1,059 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Joint aspiration or injection (small joint) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2119 US hospitals is $385. Most hospitals fall between $121 and $1,059. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover Joint aspiration or injection (small joint)?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $56). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for Joint aspiration or injection (small joint)?
Medicare pays about $56. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Joint aspiration or injection (small joint) prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

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