Price Checker / CPT 20605
How much does Drain/inj Joint/bursa Without Ultrasound cost?
CPT 20605 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 68x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$85–$170
What this should cost
With insurance
~$52,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$210
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $8,839 is $8,709 over the fair price (about 68x 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Barton County Hospital LAMAR, MO | $974 | — | 35982% |
| Baptist Health-Fort Smith FORT SMITH, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway CONWAY, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County MONTICELLO, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County , AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock LITTLE ROCK, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart STUTTGART, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Baptist Health-Van Buren VAN BUREN, AR | $20,291 | $5,073 | 35423% |
| Beartooth Billings Clinic RED LODGE, MT | $20,096 | — | 35082% |
| "St. Mary's General Hospital" PASSAIC, NJ | $15,390 | $445 | 26843% |
| North Shore University Hospital MANHASSET, NY | — | $4,595 | 26014% |
| "Cohen Children's Medical Center" , NY | — | $4,595 | 25364% |
| Long Island Jewish Forest Hills , NY | — | $4,595 | 25364% |
| Long Island Jewish Medical Center NEW HYDE PARK, NY | — | $4,595 | 25364% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Drain/inj Joint/bursa Without Ultrasound
CPT code 20605 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 $32 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $57 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.