Key takeaways

  • Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage (Part C) will generally cover cortisone shots as an outpatient procedure when a doctor considers them medically necessary.
  • After reaching the 2025 deductible of $257, you will typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for a cortisone shot.
  • In 2024, the average cost for a cortisone shot with Medicare was $19 in an ambulatory surgical center and $67 in a hospital outpatient department.

Medicare will generally cover cortisone shots when a doctor considers them medically necessary. Cortisone shots are outpatient procedures, so Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage (Part C) will usually cover them.

Cortisone shots are steroid injections that healthcare professionals may use to treat conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain. They may also use them to treat conditions affecting joints in areas such as your:

  • ankle
  • elbow
  • hip
  • knee
  • shoulder
  • wrist

Cortisone shots are a relatively simple outpatient procedure, meaning they’re typically performed in a doctor’s office or clinic without requiring a hospital stay. In these cases, Medicare Part B (medical insurance) would cover them.

If you receive a cortisone shot as part of a treatment while admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may cover it instead.

Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as parts A and B but are administered by private insurers.

You may have various out-of-pocket costs with Part B, including a premium, deductible, copayment, and coinsurance.

After reaching the 2025 deductible of $257, you will typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for a cortisone shot.

In 2024, the average person paid $19 for a cortisone shot in an ambulatory surgical center and $67 in a hospital outpatient department.

If you have coverage through Medicare Advantage, your costs will vary based on the specifics of your plan. Consider contacting your insurance provider for more information about your coverage.