Price Checker / CPT 20600
How much does Drain/inj Joint/bursa Without Ultrasound cost?
CPT 20600 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 54x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$85–$170
What this should cost
With insurance
~$62,000
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$210
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $6,986 is $6,856 over the fair price (about 54x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Drain/inj Joint/bursa Without Ultrasound
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franciscan Health Munster MUNSTER, IN | $25,706 | $6,864 | 45714% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Psychiatry , OH | $17,306 | $8,467 | 30743% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Rehab , OH | $17,306 | $8,467 | 30743% |
| The Christ Hospital Liberty , OH | $17,306 | $8,467 | 30743% |
| The Christ Hospital , OH | $17,306 | $8,467 | 30743% |
| WTH Dyersburg Hospital , TN | — | $228 | 30249% |
| Syosset Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 23716% |
| North Shore University Hospital MANHASSET, NY | — | $4,595 | 23627% |
| Staten Island University Hospital STATEN ISLAND, NY | — | $4,595 | 22733% |
| Lenox Hill Hospital NEW YORK, NY | — | $4,595 | 22218% |
| "Cohen Children's Medical Center" , NY | — | $4,595 | 21189% |
| Long Island Jewish Medical Center NEW HYDE PARK, NY | — | $4,595 | 21189% |
| Zucker Hillside Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 21189% |
| Parkland Health Center FARMINGTON, MO | $11,888 | $7,133 | 21088% |
| Animas Surgical Hospital , CO | $120 | — | 19549% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Drain/inj Joint/bursa Without Ultrasound
CPT code 20600 refers to drain/inj joint/bursa without ultrasound (billing description: "Drain/inj joint/bursa w/o us"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $31 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $56 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.