CPT Administration Code: 20610 | Get Pricing and Coding Data

Code Overview

CPT® administration code details for 20610.

CPT Code Descriptor Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa); without ultrasound guidance

Code Category Administration Code

Route / Technique Intra-articular Injection

Code Type Initial / Primary Code

About Administration Code – 20610

CPT 20610 reports aspiration and/or injection of a major joint or bursa, such as the shoulder, hip, knee, or subacromial bursa, performed without ultrasound guidance. It is used for diagnostic aspiration of fluid, therapeutic injection of medication (e.g., corticosteroid, anesthetic, viscosupplementation), or both during the same encounter. The code is reported once per joint or bursa treated, regardless of whether aspiration, injection, or both occur.

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20610 RVU Breakdown & Medicare Reimbursement

Based on the CY 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule. National payment amounts, before geographic (GPCI) adjustment.

Component	Facility	Non-Facility
Work RVU — physician work	0.77	0.77
Practice Expense RVU — staff, supplies, equipment	0.29	1.16
Malpractice RVU — professional liability	0.13	0.13
Total RVUs	1.19	2.06
Medicare Payment — Total RVUs × $33.4009 CF	$39.75	$68.81

CY 2026 Medicare Conversion Factor: $33.4009.

20610 Locality-Adjusted Rates

Medicare payment varies by locality via GPCI adjustment. Log in to view rates for all 100+ Medicare localities.

Medicare Locality	Facility	Non-Facility
National (unadjusted)	$39.75	$68.81
Los Angeles–Long Beach, CA
Manhattan, NY
Houston, TX
Miami, FL

Drugs Commonly Billed with 20610

HCPCS-coded drugs frequently administered under this CPT code. The list below is not exhaustive.

HCPCS Code	Drug	HCPCS Descriptor
J7318	Durolane	Hyaluronan or derivative, durolane, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg
J7323	Euflexxa	Hyaluronan or derivative, euflexxa, for intra-articular injection, per dose
J7326	Gel-One	Hyaluronan or derivative, gel-one, for intra-articular injection, per dose
J7328	Gelsyn-3	Hyaluronan or derivative, gelsyn-3, for intra-articular injection, 0.1 mg
J7320	GENVISC 850	Hyaluronan or derivitive, genvisc 850, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CPT Administration Codes?

CPT administration codes cover the work of giving a drug to a patient, such as an injection or an infusion. The drug itself is billed with its HCPCS J-code, and the administration is billed with a CPT code. Both go on the same claim. Learn More →

What is the Medicare Conversion Factor?

The conversion factor is the dollar amount CMS uses to turn a code's total RVUs into a Medicare payment. This page uses the CY 2026 conversion factor of $33.4009. CMS updates it every year in the Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

Facility vs. Non-Facility?

The non-facility rate applies in a physician office, where the practice pays for its own staff, supplies, and equipment, so the rate is usually higher. The facility rate applies in hospital outpatient departments and ASCs, where the facility bills for those costs separately.

How do I decide which administration code to use?

Pick the code that matches the type of drug, the route, and how long the administration takes. Start from the highest-ranking service you performed, then add the appropriate add-on codes for extra time or extra drugs. Manufacturer billing and coding guides often list suggested administration codes.

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CPT Administration Code: 20610 – Administration Code