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Massachusetts

Cost of a Joint Injection Visit
in Massachusetts

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Massachusetts leads the nation with some of the highest physician densities per capita, yet Joint Injection costs still fluctuate significantly across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. Patients typically pay between $54.55 and $538.34 for a joint injection procedure, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $88.00. With over 1,393 active Joint Injection providers throughout Massachusetts, patients have substantial options when browsing all providers in the state.

Average

$227

Median

$88

Lowest

$55

Highest

$538

Providers

1,393

National avg: $120Massachusetts: $227

89% above national average

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Blood Draw (Venipuncture)

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36415$2$3$802,054

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 20610 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 20610 (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 20610 covers: the provider's professional fee for joint injection. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why Joint Injection Visit Costs Vary Across Massachusetts

Massachusetts healthcare costs run approximately 20% above national averages, driven by the state's concentration of prestigious academic medical centers and high cost of living. The Commonwealth's unique healthcare landscape combines world-renowned teaching hospitals with extensive rural coverage challenges across western and central regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Greater Boston's dense concentration of specialists contrasts sharply with limited Joint Injection access in rural Berkshire and Franklin counties. Urban patients benefit from competitive pricing among numerous providers, while rural residents often travel significant distances to reach specialists. This geographic imbalance creates cost disparities, with rural providers sometimes charging premium rates due to limited competition.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned practices associated with Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, and other major health systems typically charge higher facility fees than independent clinics. These academic medical centers carry substantial overhead costs for research and teaching that get reflected in patient pricing. Community hospitals and independent practices often provide more affordable Joint Injection services with comparable quality outcomes.

Insurance Market Competition in Massachusetts

The dominance of BCBS MA, Tufts Health Plan, and Harvard Pilgrim creates a relatively concentrated market with limited pricing pressure on providers. These major insurers negotiate different rates with the same specialists, leading to significant cost variations based on your specific plan. The state's regulatory environment tends to favor comprehensive coverage over cost control, contributing to higher overall healthcare expenses.

Physician Supply and Demand in Massachusetts

With 1,393 active Joint Injection providers serving the state's population, Massachusetts enjoys better specialist availability than most regions. This adequate supply helps moderate wait times and provides patients with multiple provider options for cost comparison. However, the concentration of providers in eastern Massachusetts means western regions still face supply constraints that can drive up local pricing.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Joint Injection Costs in Massachusetts

What is the average cost of a Joint Injection visit in Massachusetts without insurance?

Without insurance, Joint Injection procedures in Massachusetts typically range from $54.55 to $538.34, with a median cost of $88.00 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients may receive discounts of 20-40% from these amounts when paying cash upfront. The final cost depends on the specific joint being treated, the type of medication injected, and whether the procedure is performed at a hospital-based clinic or independent practice.

Does Massachusetts Medicaid cover Joint Injection visits?

Yes, Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) covers medically necessary Joint Injection procedures when performed by enrolled providers. As an expanded Medicaid state, Massachusetts provides comprehensive coverage for these services with minimal or no copays for most beneficiaries. Prior authorization may be required depending on the specific injection type and frequency, so confirming coverage details with your provider's office before the procedure is recommended.

How do I find an affordable Joint Injection near me in Massachusetts?

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices often charge less than hospital-based clinics for the same procedure. Community health centers throughout Massachusetts offer sliding-scale fees based on income for uninsured and underinsured patients. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts or payment plans, and some participate in direct-pay programs that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial Joint Injection consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients. The injection procedure itself (CPT 20610) costs between $54.55 and $538.34 with a median of $88.00, regardless of whether it's performed during an initial or follow-up visit. However, the office visit portion will be higher for new patient consultations compared to established patient follow-ups.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Joint Injection visit in Massachusetts?

Yes, Joint Injection procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the procedure, associated office visits, and any prescribed medications. Keep all receipts and documentation, as these accounts may require proof of medical necessity for reimbursement purposes.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Joint Injection in Massachusetts?

While joint injections require in-person procedures, initial consultations and follow-up visits can often be conducted via telemedicine at reduced costs. Massachusetts has strong telemedicine coverage requirements, with most insurers covering virtual visits at the same rate as in-person consultations. Telehealth follow-ups after joint injections are particularly cost-effective for monitoring progress and planning future treatments without the expense of facility fees.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$64
$246

Office visit (CPT 20610)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $72$487
$246
2Massachusetts
Range: $55$538
$227
3Minnesota
Range: $57$487
$224
4Rhode Island
Range: $42$538
$223
5Connecticut
Range: $44$538
$222
6Pennsylvania
Range: $43$538
$220
7Delaware
Range: $41$538
$220
8New York
Range: $44$538
$220
9Hawaii
Range: $52$487
$208
10North Dakota
Range: $44$307
$144
11Iowa
Range: $61$256
$142
12South Dakota
Range: $48$268
$134
13West Virginia
Range: $42$264
$131
14Michigan
Range: $45$254
$127
15New Hampshire
Range: $65$185
$122
16District of Columbia
Range: $40$221
$116
17Wyoming
Range: $60$201
$116
18Nebraska
Range: $56$155
$114
19Kentucky
Range: $48$209
$114
20Georgia
Range: $45$211
$114
21California
Range: $64$185
$112
22Idaho
Range: $51$202
$111
23Colorado
Range: $45$208
$111
24Indiana
Range: $50$191
$110
25Illinois
Range: $50$191
$108
26Maine
Range: $75$128
$105
27Oregon
Range: $58$167
$103
28New Jersey
Range: $34$205
$101
29Washington
Range: $62$152
$98
30North Carolina
Range: $45$158
$95
31New Mexico
Range: $51$141
$93
32Vermont
Range: $48$152
$92
33Utah
Range: $37$142
$90
34Maryland
Range: $39$167
$89
35Oklahoma
Range: $38$136
$87
36South Carolina
Range: $42$131
$83
37Texas
Range: $45$119
$83
38Mississippi
Range: $38$151
$82
39Montana
Range: $70$95
$82
40Alaska
Range: $80$85
$82
41Arkansas
Range: $47$116
$82
42Virginia
Range: $35$138
$80
43Nevada
Range: $35$140
$79
44Missouri
Range: $43$101
$77
45Louisiana
Range: $38$115
$75
46Ohio
Range: $38$106
$75
47Alabama
Range: $38$117
$74
48Tennessee
Range: $42$111
$74
49Kansas
Range: $43$100
$70
50Florida
Range: $35$109
$66
51Arizona
Range: $38$102
$64
Joint Injection in Other States