Price Checker / CPT 20604
How much does Drain/inj Joint/bursa W/us cost?
CPT 20604 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 8.4x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$130–$260
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$330
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $1,675 is $1,475 over the fair price (about 8.4x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Drain/inj Joint/bursa W/us
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Memorial Health-Harrington at Webster , MA | $2,100 | $2,100 | 2309% |
| UMass Memorial Health-Harrington Hospital SOUTHBRIDGE, MA | $2,100 | $2,100 | 2309% |
| Iroquois Memorial Hospital WATSEKA, IL | $824 | $577 | 845% |
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 W/us
CPT code 20604 refers to drain/inj joint/bursa w/us (billing description: "Drain/inj joint/bursa w/us"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $40 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $87 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.