Joint Injection (Cortisone) vs Sed Rate (ESR)
Medicare Cost Comparison 2025
Quick Answer
Joint Injection (Cortisone): $800 total · Medicare pays $640 · Patient pays $160
Sed Rate (ESR): $20 total · Medicare pays $16 · Patient pays $4
Cost Comparison
| Metric | Joint Injection (Cortisone) | Sed Rate (ESR) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Average Cost | $800 | $20 |
| Medicare Pays | $640 | $16 |
| Patient Pays | $160 | $4 |
| Category | outpatient | lab |
FAQ
What is the cost difference between Joint Injection (Cortisone) and Sed Rate (ESR)?
Joint Injection (Cortisone) costs $800 on average, while Sed Rate (ESR) costs $20 — a difference of $780.
How much does Medicare pay for Joint Injection (Cortisone) vs Sed Rate (ESR)?
Medicare typically pays $640 for Joint Injection (Cortisone) (patient owes $160). For Sed Rate (ESR), Medicare pays $16 (patient owes $4).
What is Joint Injection (Cortisone)?
Injection of corticosteroids into a joint to reduce inflammation.
What is Sed Rate (ESR)?
Blood test measuring how quickly red blood cells settle.