How much does a Cortisone Injection cost in Australia?
A cortisone injection involves the administration of a corticosteroid medication directly into the shoulder joint or the surrounding tissues to alleviate inflammation and reduce pain. Cortisone, a synthetic version of the body's natural cortisol hormone, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. When injected into a joint or inflamed area, cortisone can help suppress the immune response and decrease inflammation associated with conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis, or arthritis.
The injection is typically performed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist, using a thin needle to deliver the cortisone directly to the affected area. While cortisone injections can significantly relieve pain and inflammation, they are often used as a short-term solution. They may be part of a broader treatment plan that includes physical therapy, rest, and lifestyle modifications. The effectiveness and duration of pain relief can vary from person to person, and individuals need to follow their healthcare provider's guidance regarding the frequency and timing of cortisone injections for optimal management of musculoskeletal conditions.
If you’re wondering how much does a Cortisone Injection cost in Australia? The average cost of an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection into the shoulder is $365 out of pocket, and no rebate from Medicare if the referral is written by a health professional other than a General Practitioner (GP). However, suppose a General Practitioner refers the patient for a joint-related cortisone injection. In that case, the cost will be approximately $365, but Medicare will rebate and pay back $125, so the patient will be $240 out of pocket.
However, it’s really important that a patient sees a Physiotherapist prior to seeing a GP for a cortisone injection. The Physiotherapist will write to the GP and ask specifically for them to refer for an Ultrasound guided cortisone injection into a joint or tendons causing pain, rather than just a general cortisone injection done by the GP without a scan or not with a present ultrasound. This is important because even though it is more expensive, the cortisone is administered whilst a radiologist observes the patients soft tissues and tendons under ultrasound, this usually means the cortisone can be administered directly into the most affected area to provide pain relief to the problem structures, rather than just generally into the affected area.
So, How Much does a Cortisone Injection cost?
So the cost can vary for a Cortsone Injection depending on whether it is an ultrasound guided cortisone injection (which tends to be more expensive but more effective) or whether it is just a general cortisone injection administered by a General Practitioner (GP). The Cost of an Ultrasound guided cortisone injection referred by a GP following guidance from a Physio, tends to cost approximately $365, with rebate from Medicare of $125.
What is the Cortisone Injection cost Melbourne?
If you’re wondering how much does a Cortisone Injection cost in Melbourne, we work closely with Lumus Imaging on Bridge Road, and the cost can vary depending on the location of the injection. However for most muscuskeletal joints in the body, following a referral from a GP with guidance of a Physio, the cost of a Cortisone injection in Melbourne is $365, with $125 rebate. However if the referral for an injection is directly from a health professional that is not a GP, then there will be no rebate from Medicare.
Are cortisone injections bulk-billed in Australia?
Unfortunately cortisone injections are not bulk billed in Australia. Especially Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections. This is because they need a specialist to administer the cortisone with assistance into a specific area of the body which can take time and can be harmful if not done properly. The cost of an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection is approximately $240 out of pocket with a GP referral.
