Ortho / Rheum · CMS status A
20610
Arthrocentesis major joint w/o US
Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (shoulder, hip, knee, subacromial bursa) without ultrasound guidance.
Work RVU
0.94
2026 Medicare pays
$68.81
National GPCI · non-facility · CF $33.4009
RVU anatomyWork 0.94 + Practice 1.04 + Malpractice 0.08 = 2.06 total
Work (your effort)Practice expenseMalpractice
When to use it
Major joint injection or aspiration without US guidance.
Documentation checklist
- ✓Joint and side.
- ✓Technique, drug injected with dose and lot.
- ✓Tolerance, complications.
Common pitfalls
- !If US guidance was used, use 20611 — don't bill 20610 + 76942 separately.
- !Drug J-codes billed separately.
Common modifiers
25 (on E/M)50LTRT
Common ICD-10 pairings
M17.11M75.50
Pairs well with
Educational reference, not billing or legal advice. Verify against your payer contracts and your compliance team before submission.