Cost of a Joint Injection Visit
in North Carolina
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
North Carolina's diverse healthcare landscape spans from major academic medical centers in the Research Triangle to rural clinics serving mountain and coastal communities. Patients seeking Joint Injection services typically pay between $45 and $158, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $80, according to negotiated insurance rates. With over 2,500 active Joint Injection providers across the state, North Carolina offers extensive access to care in both metropolitan and rural areas.
Average
$95
Median
$80
Lowest
$45
Highest
$158
Providers
2,572
21% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does joint injection compare to related procedures in North Carolina?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Biopsy Tangential biopsy of skin | 11102 | $39 | $94 | $209 | 2,357 |
| Abscess Drainage (I&D) Incision and drainage of abscess, simple | 10060 | $77 | $129 | $297 | 2,542 |
| Blood Draw (Venipuncture) Routine venipuncture for blood sample | 36415 | $2 | $3 | $85 | 2,799 |
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 20610 — Arthrocentesis, 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 North Carolina
Joint Injection costs in North Carolina run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural practices. The growing ambulatory surgery center market has increased competition and helped moderate prices compared to hospital-based care.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
North Carolina's geography creates significant disparities in Joint Injection access between metro areas like Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia and rural mountain or coastal counties. Urban areas have higher provider density but also higher overhead costs, while rural patients may travel hours to reach a specialist. The state's 100 counties vary dramatically in healthcare infrastructure, affecting both availability and pricing.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient clinics affiliated with major systems like Duke Health, UNC Health, Novant Health, or Atrium Health typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices. Academic medical centers command premium pricing due to their teaching hospital status and advanced technology. Ambulatory surgery centers and independent clinics often provide more cost-effective alternatives without sacrificing quality of care.
Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina
The presence of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna creates moderate competition that helps keep negotiated rates reasonable. BCBS NC's dominant market position gives it significant leverage in rate negotiations with providers. The lack of a state all-payer claims database limits price transparency, though federal requirements are gradually improving cost visibility.
Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina
With over 2,500 active Joint Injection providers statewide, North Carolina maintains adequate specialist supply in most metropolitan areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This geographic imbalance creates pricing variations where urban competition keeps costs lower while rural scarcity can drive prices higher. The state's medical schools and residency programs help maintain steady physician supply, particularly in academic medical centers.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Joint Injection Costs in North Carolina
What is the average cost of a Joint Injection visit in North Carolina without insurance?
Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Joint Injection visits?
How do I find an affordable Joint Injection near me in North Carolina?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Joint Injection visit in North Carolina?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Joint Injection in North Carolina?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 20610)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $72 – $487 | $246 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Range: $55 – $538 | $227 |
| 3 | Minnesota Range: $57 – $487 | $224 |
| 4 | Rhode Island Range: $42 – $538 | $223 |
| 5 | Connecticut Range: $44 – $538 | $222 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania Range: $43 – $538 | $220 |
| 7 | Delaware Range: $41 – $538 | $220 |
| 8 | New York Range: $44 – $538 | $220 |
| 9 | Hawaii Range: $52 – $487 | $208 |
| 10 | North Dakota Range: $44 – $307 | $144 |
| 11 | Iowa Range: $61 – $256 | $142 |
| 12 | South Dakota Range: $48 – $268 | $134 |
| 13 | West Virginia Range: $42 – $264 | $131 |
| 14 | Michigan Range: $45 – $254 | $127 |
| 15 | New Hampshire Range: $65 – $185 | $122 |
| 16 | District of Columbia Range: $40 – $221 | $116 |
| 17 | Wyoming Range: $60 – $201 | $116 |
| 18 | Nebraska Range: $56 – $155 | $114 |
| 19 | Kentucky Range: $48 – $209 | $114 |
| 20 | Georgia Range: $45 – $211 | $114 |
| 21 | California Range: $64 – $185 | $112 |
| 22 | Idaho Range: $51 – $202 | $111 |
| 23 | Colorado Range: $45 – $208 | $111 |
| 24 | Indiana Range: $50 – $191 | $110 |
| 25 | Illinois Range: $50 – $191 | $108 |
| 26 | Maine Range: $75 – $128 | $105 |
| 27 | Oregon Range: $58 – $167 | $103 |
| 28 | New Jersey Range: $34 – $205 | $101 |
| 29 | Washington Range: $62 – $152 | $98 |
| 30 | North Carolina Range: $45 – $158 | $95 |
| 31 | New Mexico Range: $51 – $141 | $93 |
| 32 | Vermont Range: $48 – $152 | $92 |
| 33 | Utah Range: $37 – $142 | $90 |
| 34 | Maryland Range: $39 – $167 | $89 |
| 35 | Oklahoma Range: $38 – $136 | $87 |
| 36 | South Carolina Range: $42 – $131 | $83 |
| 37 | Texas Range: $45 – $119 | $83 |
| 38 | Mississippi Range: $38 – $151 | $82 |
| 39 | Montana Range: $70 – $95 | $82 |
| 40 | Alaska Range: $80 – $85 | $82 |
| 41 | Arkansas Range: $47 – $116 | $82 |
| 42 | Virginia Range: $35 – $138 | $80 |
| 43 | Nevada Range: $35 – $140 | $79 |
| 44 | Missouri Range: $43 – $101 | $77 |
| 45 | Louisiana Range: $38 – $115 | $75 |
| 46 | Ohio Range: $38 – $106 | $75 |
| 47 | Alabama Range: $38 – $117 | $74 |
| 48 | Tennessee Range: $42 – $111 | $74 |
| 49 | Kansas Range: $43 – $100 | $70 |
| 50 | Florida Range: $35 – $109 | $66 |
| 51 | Arizona Range: $38 – $102 | $64 |