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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Orthopedics and Injuries > Cortisone Injection

Cortisone Injection Cost

How Much Does a Cortisone Injection Cost?
 
average costWith Health Insurance: Copays or 10%-50% Coinsurancehigh costWithout Health Insurance: $25-$300 per shot

Cortisone injections[1] typically contain a corticosteroid[2] and a local anesthetic such as Novocain. They are used to help curb inflammation, and when administered properly, may provide temporary relief from a number of painful conditions[3] such as shoulder bursitis. In some instances, diluted cortisone shots are used to reduce swelling and heal lesions caused by severe cystic acne[4] .

Typical costs:

  • The costs of the injections vary, depending on the amount used, the area to which the shot is administered, and the condition it is used to treat.
  • For patients without health insurance, cortisone injections to treat deep acne nodules or cysts typically range in cost from $25 - $100, while injections administered to the joints or other parts of the body can cost from $100 - $300 per shot, in addition to costs for the office visit. (For uninsured patients, an office visit typically costs $50 -$200, while for insured patients it typically brings a copay of $10 -$50, or coinsurance of 10%-50%.) At the Texas Hip and Knee Center[5] in Fort Worth, TX, cortisone injections average $120 - $140.
  • Injections are typically covered by health insurers if deemed medically necessary, though there may be restrictions. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi[6] stipulates that if there is no documented pain relief after two injections, no further injection will be considered medically necessary.
Related articles: Dislocated Shoulder, Hip Fracture, Knee Replacement, Health Insurance

What should be included:
  • Cortisone shots can typically be administered in a doctor's office.
  • As part of the standard procedure[7] , the area around the injection site will be cleaned and an anesthetic spray may be applied before the needle is inserted. The shots are most often given in the joints.
  • Doctors may limit the number of shots a patient can receive a year because of the risks for potential complications[8] such as nerve damage or thinning of nearby bone.
Additional costs:
  • Following a shot, a patient may want to apply ice or a cold compress like the Ace Reusable Cold Compress[9] , $5, to the injection site to relieve pain.
Discounts:
  • Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[10] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.
Shopping for a cortisone injection:
  • To prepare[11] for an injection, patients who use blood thinners or take dietary supplements that have a blood-thinning effect may need to avoid these products for several days beforehand.
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a patient guide[12] for those considering cortisone injections.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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Cortisone Injection CPT Code 20600
Amount: $1,350.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Geneva Coleman in Lexington, KY.Posted: April 4th, 2023 12:04PM
Provider: UKHC Turfland Hand Clinic, Lexington KYSite of Injection: CMC Joint thumb - bilateral
Condition Treated: Bilateral CMC Arthritis
Two injections total. 15 minutes in the clinic and out. Total bill over $6,000 not counting Physician Services Charges! Billed for code 20600 a total of six times (I am not kidding) for two injections and also billed an IV injection code for an additional $203. I have asked for someone to go over the billing with me but they are stalling. Highway Robbery.
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Hip cortisone shot
Amount: $185.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: JohnJ James in Phoenix, AZ.Posted: November 4th, 2021 03:11PM
Provider: Pain DoctorSite of Injection: Hip
Condition Treated: Arthritis pain hip and knee
Used to pay $50 copay now they are calling it surgery and moved to Surgery center for cortisone injection guided by xray. More money for Dr. I guess.
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Cortisone Injection Considered Surgery w/out Sedation - what?
Amount: $190.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Wonderful Inventions in Sun City, AZ.Posted: February 14th, 2021 10:02PM
Provider: BC/BS FederalSite of Injection: Lower Back to Left Hip
Condition Treated: Pain in lower back and hip
So, I've had many other cortisone injections over the years: one in left knee, one in left shoulder, three single injections in lower back, trigger shots of Lidocaine, all under the Blue Cross blue Shield insurance. One was done at urgent care, and the others were done in the doctors' offices. Not until this year did I get stuck with a surgical copay in addition to the copay of $40 for office visit. When I asked why a flu shot was then not considered surgical, I was told that an immunization is different. Or, how about a Novocaine as pain killer for dental work? All procedures were ultrasonic-guided, so that can't be the reasoning as well. I am ticked off at insurance! Don't let anyone tell you that current/retired federal workers have better benefits! It's $2k/yr. single payer premiums, plus so many out-of-pocket costs now. How is a senior under age 65 and disabled person supposed to survive when you don't qualify for Medicaid, Obamacare or Medicare?
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Cortisone injection for Trigger thumb
Amount: $814.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Severelywoundedbycortisone in West Des Moines, IA.Posted: September 13th, 2020 06:09PM
Provider: MedicaSite of Injection: Right thumb
Condition Treated: Trigger thumb
Went to plastic surgery office because they supposedly take care of trigger thumb. Went on Thursday and on Friday got bill via email from the billing office saying it was $814! I asked if that included my insurance she said yes. Now I have had injections for tennis elbow and cost was around $150. Please someone explain to me what's the damn difference?
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Kenalog injection
Amount: $379.45 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Saladamander in wappingers falls, NY.Posted: September 14th, 2019 08:09AM
Provider: OADCSite of Injection: left knee
Condition Treated: OA Left Knee
It just astounds me when I look at the charges for one knee injection...$222.85 for an office visit,$380.00 for xrays of both knees, $339.99 for surgery, and $280.00 for the kenalog(they could buy a whole case of the medication for that price!!!) So my cost out of pocket is 379.45--hope Medicare coverage is better when I retire or i'll have to choose between getting a shot or living expenses
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Shot in left shoulder
Amount: $2,606.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: [email protected] in Darlington, WI.Posted: July 30th, 2019 01:07PM
Provider: Dean CareSite of Injection: Shoulder
Condition Treated: pain in left shoulder
Is this even possible? $3,000.00 for a shot in my left shoulder?
How is this possible. I am seeing on line 100.00-300.00 per shot plus office visit, they gave me two shots in the same visit in the left shoulder and the bill was $3,000.00??? Who do you contact to talk to about this?
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10 minutes, one shot, one band-aid and $2400
Amount: $2,400.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Sacramento, CA.Posted: February 24th, 2019 11:02AM
Provider: UC DavisSite of Injection: Shoulder
Condition Treated: Torn Labrum
I'm rounding the numbers to they can't track me down and seek to harm me.
$400 Doctor professionals services.
$300 Meds (4ml of Kenalog with lidocaine) and one band-aid.
$1700 for the "procedure/facility"
This last charge is crazy. The "facility" was a regular doctor office room, one table one chair a computer and a sink, no xray or ultrasound, nothing special, could have been done in the hallway. I was in about 12 minutes, got the shot walked out. How is that worth $1700? About 5x as expensive as the last time I had it done 5 years ago. Doctor was fantastic and I got relief from the shot but even with insurance discounts My cash out of pocket is about $1000 for a 4ml shot that took 10 minutes. UC Davis used to be good but now I see why some insurance companies have dropped them, too expensive. People on the billing phone were evasive and not returning email or phone messages. My Blue cross runs $2,000 per month with a $12,000 deductible for my wife and myself. $40K per year.
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Corisone shot left hip
Amount: $510.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: john g riker in Sarasota, FL.Posted: November 15th, 2018 01:11PM
Provider: Kennedy-White SarasotaSite of Injection: Right hip
Condition Treated: Left hip pain
Have insurance but my old orthopedist firm doesn't accept Florida Blue's hmo anymore. They had on two hip replacements prior. Cost for uninsured 510. The shit, the visit, the x-rays and other. Tad expensive my email look abroad and change the system.
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cortisone injection- knee
Amount: $659.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: SeattleAlex in seattle, WA.Posted: October 29th, 2018 01:10PM
Provider: virginia masonSite of Injection: knee
Condition Treated: arthritis
office visit-$116, injection $82 (after ins discount)
facilities charge for just being in the room on another matter. 1 min proceedure. $400- no ins discount.
what a scam.
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Ultrasound-guided cortisone injection
Amount: $180.37 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Painful Shoulders in Plano, TX.Posted: October 15th, 2018 07:10AM
Provider: physicianSite of Injection: shoulder
Condition Treated: micro-tear in deltoid
The "not covered by insurance" field is misleading because that means different things to different people. There are contractual adjustments vs copays and coinsurance vs deductibles vs *actually not covered.* The $180.37 was my out-of-pocket cost for coinsurance because I have met my $5K deductible for the year.
Amount billed to insurance: $2,680
Contracted insurance amount: $902
20% co-insurance: $180
I could have owed as much as $900 had I not yet met my deductible. Higher cost I assume is for the fact that is was ultrasound-guided.
One surgery charge of $1500
Second surgery charge of $450. Not sure what this is.
Ultrasound $280
XRay $435 (I don't know what this is if not the ulstrasound)
Injections $15
We need value-based care instead of fee-for-service reimbursement in US. Single-payer system is our only chance of continuing to have healthcare available to all. If it operates as a business, it will continue to work this way.
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Cortisone injection
Amount: $426.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Happyplace31 in Morgantown, WV.Posted: January 23rd, 2018 10:01AM
Condition Treated: Tarsal tunnel syndrome
$100 copay for a SURGICAL procedure is what drove this cost up. It was performed in an orthopedic clinic at a large hospital and it is legal to code it this way. I will go back to the rural podiatrist where it was covered 100% by insurance
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Orthopedic xray and cortisone shot
Amount: $435.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Doug M in Orlando, FL.Posted: January 12th, 2018 12:01PM
Condition Treated: Knee, meniscus and ligament
The bill was
X-ray exam $95
Kenalog 40mg (cortisone) $20
Injection by doctor $120
Office Visit $200 -- ???
Imagine if every business could charge a visit fee, ie Movie tickets - $10, movie visit fee $20; restaurant steak and lobster $40, restaurant ambiance fee $100. As a repair shop, will now begin charging doctors $200 for each shop visit.
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Cortizone injection right hip
Amount: $810.53 not covered by insurance
Posted by: John fox in Mesa, AZ.Posted: December 2nd, 2017 08:12AM
Condition Treated: Hip pain
This was done at Mountain Vista Hospital as an outpatient. The doctors portion of this was $150 The total bill was $2558.85. They discounted it to the insurance company for $1050 because that’s with the insurance company would allow my portion of it was 810 so in the end the insurance company pay $200 while I paid $800 Huge rip off. I would not go there to get this done. The cost is much less many other locations anywhere from $100-$300
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Epidural cortisone injection right shoulder
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: John G Frykman in Minneapolis, MN.Posted: May 22nd, 2017 08:05AM
Provider: Mayo ClinicSite of Injection: Right Shoulder
Condition Treated: Arthritis (Bone-on-bone)
Injection done under local anesthesia guided by ultrasound. Painless. Entire amount paid by my Medicare Advantage plan.
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Cortisone injection
Amount: $463.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Andrew Petrone in New York, NY.Posted: April 11th, 2017 03:04AM
Condition Treated: Lower back pain
Total price for 4 injections $10k 9600 covered by ins
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cortizone injection at shoulder
Amount: $150.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: christie in opelika, AL.Posted: March 18th, 2017 02:03PM
Provider: bcbsSite of Injection: shoulder
Condition Treated: bursitis
5 minute simple shot in shoulder for bursitis and was billed as surgery for 1100.00, my outpatient co pay of 150.00. absolutely a rip off from east Alabama medical center, Opelika al.
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Ablation
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Sharon schirmer in Wausau, WI.Posted: March 10th, 2017 02:03AM
Condition Treated: L3
Pain Lumber L3. Had cortisone injection last year.
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Cortisone Injection
Amount: $200.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: SharonRB in Laurens, SC.Posted: December 9th, 2016 09:12AM
Provider: Orthopedic SurgeonSite of Injection: Knee
Condition Treated: Torn Meniscus
The doctor said it would ease my pain for 2 or 3 days, but I was pain free for about 2 weeks and then gradually the pain returned over a period of about 2 months. It was definitely worth the money. I am going back for another next week.
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Lower right hip pain
Amount: $4,800.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Why doesn't anyone help in Waukesha, WI.Posted: June 7th, 2016 10:06PM
Provider: Pain management of waukeshaSite of Injection: Lower right back
Condition Treated: Right hip arthritis
I received 3 of these injections over a 1 month time and the pain went a way for about 8 weeks, they say if I spend 12000 dollars they will perform a RF or cutting the nerve that will last for a minimum of 9 months. My Insurance refuses to pay these costs, so I am stuck on pain MEDS , but with recent abuses by others my Dr is now backing away from the only relief I can afford. My hip is severely worn and needs to be removed. When I find a way to self inject Cortisone I will, Drs only help those with money or what the insurance companies agree to pay them.
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Everywhere
Amount: $4,800.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Fredrick James in Augusta, GA.Posted: May 2nd, 2016 08:05PM
Condition Treated: All joints
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injection, r/shoulder
Amount: $1,369.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in middletown, DE.Posted: March 26th, 2016 08:03AM
Provider: Site of Injection: right shoulder
Condition Treated: frozen shoulder
this was the first treatment for the right shoulder.
my portion $275.46 There were 7 different charges on the bill for an Office Visit / Injection. They sure no how to bill!! last shot I will get.
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Cortisone injection
Amount: $1,100.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Bruce S L in Des Moines, IA.Posted: January 26th, 2016 08:01AM
Condition Treated: Neuroma in foot
I've had this done before by the same doctor at 1/4th this cost. It was covered by my insurance, but still $300+ Out of pocket. And then the doctor must have missed it, because it started bothering me again within a week or 2.
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cortisone injection - procedure code 20610
Amount: $512.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: ouchny in White Plains, NY.Posted: December 28th, 2015 05:12PM
Provider: Weiser NYU LangoneSite of Injection: right knee
Condition Treated: knee pain
They billed $1233 for a single cortisone shot. 1st visit for a consult after receiving mailing from : NYU orthopedic Surgery Associates who are part of NYU Langone Med Center. NYU Langone prices are 5X the cost of other MDs in the area. Beware!
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cortisone injection - procedure code 20610
Amount: $512.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: ouchny in White Plains, NY.Posted: December 28th, 2015 08:12AM
Provider: Weiser NYU LangoneSite of Injection: right knee
Condition Treated: knee pain
They billed $1233 for a single cortisone shot. 1st visit for a consult after receiving mailing from : NYU orthopedic Surgery Associates who are part of NYU Langone Med Center. NYU Langone prices are 5X the cost of other MDs in the area. Beware!
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External Resources:
  1.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cortisone-shots/MY00268
  2.  my.clevelandclinic.org/drugs/corticosteroids/hic_corticosteroids.aspx
  3.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cortisone-shots/MY00268/DSECTION=why-its-done
  4.  www.acne.org/cortisone-shots-for-acne.html
  5.  www.texashipandkneecenter.com/Contact-us.html
  6.  www.bcbsms.com/index.php?q=provider-medical-policy-search.html&action=viewPolicy&p...
  7.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cortisone-shots/MY00268/DSECTION=what-you-can-expect
  8.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cortisone-shots/MY00268/DSECTION=risks
  9.  www.drugstore.com/default.asp?catid=1
  10.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
  11.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/cortisone-shots/MY00268/DSECTION=how-you-prepare
  12.  www.med.unc.edu
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