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Describe a service in plain words, or type a CPT/HCPCS code.

Procedure · Updated Aug 1, 2026

Joint injection: CPT code and Medicare rate

Injection into or aspiration of a major joint such as the knee, shoulder, or hip. 20605 covers intermediate joints like the wrist, elbow, or ankle.

Also called: knee injection, shoulder injection, joint aspiration, draining a joint.

Usually billed as

20610 Major Joint Injection or Aspiration
Office (non-facility)
$68.81
Facility
$39.75

National amounts for the Q4 2026 release (October 1 – December 31, 2026), using geographic index values of 1.000. Your local rate differs; the code page has the locality breakdown.

The injection procedure and the drug injected are billed separately—see cortisone shot for the medication side.

Common questions Copy link

Joint injection: which code is it?
20610—Major Joint Injection or Aspiration. Injection into or aspiration of a major joint such as the knee, shoulder, or hip. 20605 covers intermediate joints like the wrist, elbow, or ankle.
Joint injection: how much does Medicare pay?
Nationally, the Q4 2026 Physician Fee Schedule pays $68.81 in an office (non-facility) setting and $39.75 in a facility setting for 20610. Your local amount differs—the national figure applies geographic index values of 1.000, and Medicare then pays 80% of the allowed amount after the deductible is met.
Joint injection: what else affects the billing?
The injection procedure and the drug injected are billed separately—see cortisone shot for the medication side.

Need the rate where you practice?

Every code page carries the full locality breakdown, the RVU and GPCI inputs, and the release the numbers come from.

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This page maps everyday language to the code a claim normally carries. It's general information about how Medicare prices a service, not coding advice for a specific claim. The correct code always depends on what was actually documented and performed.

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