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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesGeneral Introduction or Removal Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-20606-ultrasound-guided-arthrocentesis-joint-bursa
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    CPT 20606: Arthrocentesis of Intermediate Joint or Bursa with Ultrasound Guidance

    Medicare pays $97 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 20606 describes arthrocentesis of an intermediate joint or bursa (for example, temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, wrist, elbow, ankle, or olecranon bursa) performed by inserting a needle through the skin to aspirate synovial fluid or to inject medication; the service includes ultrasound guidance with permanent recording and reporting and is typically provided in an outpatient clinic, physician office, or ambulatory surgical setting as a diagnostic and therapeutic joint/bursa procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old patient presents to an outpatient musculoskeletal clinic with acute onset of progressive pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion of the right wrist after minor trauma. Physical exam demonstrates joint effusion with tenderness and limited flexion/extension. The provider schedules an ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis of the wrist to obtain synovial fluid for cell count and culture and to instill a corticosteroid for therapeutic relief. The procedure is performed in a procedure room using sterile technique. Real-time ultrasound guidance with permanent image recording is used to identify the effusion, guide needle placement into the radiocarpal joint, aspirate purulent or inflammatory fluid into a syringe for laboratory analysis, and then inject medication. The clinical workflow includes informed consent, pre-procedure time-out, ultrasound set-up and image capture, needle insertion and aspiration/injection, sample labeling and handoff to the laboratory, post-procedure observation for immediate complications, and documentation of findings, fluid characteristics, ultrasound images, and the permanent recording/reporting that supports the use of ultrasound guidance as part of the service billed under 20606.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee); without ultrasound guidanceAlternative code for major joints; contrasted with 20606 which is for intermediate joints with ultrasound recording.
    77002Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (radiological supervision and interpretation)Used when fluoroscopic rather than ultrasound guidance is used for joint procedures; not typically billed with 20606.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle guidance (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization); guidance for therapeutic or diagnostic proceduresOften reported when ultrasound guidance is performed; 20606 already includes ultrasound with permanent recording/reporting so avoid duplicate billing unless payer rules allow.
    99070Supplies and equipment for procedures (e.g., syringes, sterile trays)Used to bill for consumable supplies associated with the arthrocentesis when allowable by payer.
    25000Drainage of hematoma, seroma, or fluid collection (percutaneous)May be used for non-joint fluid collections; related procedure conceptually for aspiration services.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    261QP2300X
    207K00000X
    251T00000X
    335V00000X
    172P00000X
    364SF0001X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-20500-SINUS-TRACT-THERAPEUTIC-INJECTION

    CPT 20500: Injection of Therapeutic Agent into Sinus Tract

    CPT-20501-SINUS-TRACT-CONTRAST-INJECTION-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 20501: Sinus Tract Contrast Injection for Abscess/Lesion Evaluation

    CPT-20520-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-MUSCLE-TENDON-SHEATH

    CPT 20520: Removal of Foreign Body From Muscle or Tendon Sheath

    CPT-20525-DEEP-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-MUSCLE-TENDON-SHEATH

    CPT 20525: Deep Foreign Body Removal from Muscle or Tendon Sheath

    CPT-20526-CARPAL-TUNNEL-INJECTION-SHORT-TERM-RELIEF

    CPT 20526: Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    CPT-20527-COLLAGENASE-INJECTION-DUPUYTRENS-CONTRACTURE

    CPT 20527: Collagenase Injection for Dupuytren's Contracture

    CPT-20550-TENDON-OR-LIGAMENT-INJECTION-APONEUROSIS-TREATMENT

    CPT 20550: Injection into Tendon or Ligament for Aponeurosis

    CPT-20551-TENDON-ORIGIN-INSERTION-INJECTION

    CPT 20551: Injection into Tendon Origin or Insertion Site

    CPT-20552-TRIGGER-POINT-INJECTION-ONE-OR-TWO-MUSCLES

    CPT 20552: Trigger Point Injection for Myofascial Pain

    CPT-20553-TRIGGER-POINT-INJECTION-THREE-OR-MORE-MUSCLES

    CPT 20553: Trigger Point Injection, Three or More Muscles

    Showing 1–10 of 41

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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