ACL Surgery Cost in Singapore: Prices, MediSave and Insurance

ACL reconstruction at a private hospital in Singapore typically costs $32,348 before MediSave and insurance, based on MOH’s 2023 transacted bill data. If your surgeon also repairs a meniscus tear, the typical bill rises to $37,873.

People often call this “ACL surgery”. In most cases, it means ACL reconstruction, where your surgeon uses a tendon graft to replace the torn ligament. Your bill can change if you also need meniscus treatment, a different reconstruction technique, or a longer hospital stay.

This guide explains published ACL surgery costs in Singapore, how public and private bills compare, and what to check with your insurer before booking surgery.

How much does ACL surgery cost in Singapore?

MOH’s 2023 transacted bill data shows that the typical private inpatient bill for SB701K, described as minimally invasive ACL or PCL reconstruction, was $32,348, including GST.

The typical bill is the median. Half of patients paid less than $32,348 and half paid more.

These figures are based on actual hospital bills from 2023. They include GST, but do not reflect MediSave withdrawals, MediShield Life payouts or private-insurance claims. MOH reports SB701K private-hospital figures for inpatient care.

Source: MOH bill information for SB701K

Why your ACL surgery bill may differ

Your surgeon’s TOSP code affects your bill and the MediSave and MediShield Life limits that may apply. Your bill may be higher if your surgeon treats a meniscus tear during the same operation.

If your surgeon repairs a meniscus tear during ACL reconstruction, the typical private bill is $5,525 higher than SB701K. If your surgeon performs a meniscectomy, the difference is $1,190.

Your surgeon should recommend the procedure that best suits your knee injury, rather than the lower-cost option. Ask which TOSP code applies to your case before you request an estimate.

Note: MOH describes SB701K as “MIS ACL or PCL Reconstruction”. Although ACL tears are more common, this code can include PCL reconstruction.

How private hospital costs compare with public hospitals

For SB701K, MOH’s 2023 data shows that subsidised public-hospital bills are much lower than private-hospital bills.

A subsidised public-hospital bill is typically around one-fifth to one-sixth of the private inpatient bill.

The subsidised public figures already reflect government subsidies. They do not yet deduct MediSave, MediShield Life or private-insurance payouts. Your final out-of-pocket cost depends on your subsidy eligibility, ward class, MediSave balance and insurance cover.

MOH’s 2023 data includes public-hospital day-surgery and inpatient bills. For private hospitals, the published SB701K figures are reported for inpatient care.

What your ACL surgery bill includes

Your total bill includes more than your surgeon’s fee. For SB701K at a private hospital, MOH groups the typical bill into operation charges, implant fees and other hospital charges.

Within the operation fee, the typical surgeon’s fee is $9,936 and the typical anaesthetist’s fee is $1,944.

MOH also publishes private-sector fee benchmarks. These are reference ranges for typical cases, not price caps.

Your final quote may be higher or lower depending on your procedure, graft and implant choices, hospital, surgeon and clinical needs.

The typical amounts for individual bill components may not add up exactly to the typical total bill. MOH calculates each median separately.

What MediSave covers

You can use MediSave for eligible ACL surgery. You may also be able to use an eligible family member’s MediSave, subject to CPF rules, withdrawal limits and available balance.

For SB701K, which falls under TOSP Table 5C, the MediSave surgical withdrawal limit is $2,770.

For an inpatient stay, you can use MediSave for eligible hospital charges of up to $1,130 per day for the first two days and up to $400 per day from the third day onwards. If you stay for one day, your maximum MediSave use may therefore be:

For double-bundle ACL reconstruction under Table 6A, the surgical withdrawal limit is $3,260. With one inpatient day, the maximum combined amount is $4,390.

MediSave limits apply whether you receive treatment at a public or private hospital. You may also be able to use MediSave for eligible insurance deductibles and co-payments, subject to CPF rules and your available balance.

Source: CPF Board — Using MediSave for hospitalisation.

CPF confirms the inpatient hospital-charge limits of up to $1,130 per day for the first two inpatient days and $400 per day thereafter.

How MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans apply

MediShield Life

MediShield Life covers eligible ACL surgery, subject to claim limits, deductibles and co-insurance.

For procedures under TOSP Table 5C, including SB701K, the surgical claim limit is $3,270. For Table 6A procedures, including double-bundle ACL reconstruction, the surgical claim limit is $3,540.

MediShield Life provides basic protection for large hospital bills, particularly in subsidised public-hospital settings. Your payout depends on your eligible bill, ward class, deductible, co-insurance and the applicable claim limits.

If you choose a private hospital, MediShield Life first applies pro-ration to eligible charges before calculating your claim. For Singapore Citizens, the private-hospital pro-ration factors are:

After pro-ration, MediShield Life applies the deductible and co-insurance. This means MediShield Life alone usually pays only a limited amount towards a private-hospital ACL reconstruction bill.

If you have a private-hospital bill without an Integrated Shield Plan, you may still need to pay a substantial share after MediShield Life and MediSave.

Source: CPF Board — MediShield Life pro-ration. CPF explains that differentiated pro-ration factors are used to normalise private and unsubsidised charges against subsidised equivalents before calculating claims.

Integrated Shield Plans

An Integrated Shield Plan may pay more than MediShield Life alone if your plan covers private-hospital treatment. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on:

• Your plan and rider
• Your deductible and co-payment
• Your available MediSave balance
• Whether your surgeon and hospital are on your insurer’s panel
• Whether you obtain pre-authorisation
• The final hospital bill and any policy exclusions

Do not assume that an “as charged” plan will pay every item on your bill. Your insurer assesses the claim under your policy terms. It may also apply panel requirements, benefit limits, exclusions or claims conditions.

For new Integrated Shield Plan riders sold from 1 April 2026, the rider cannot cover the minimum IP deductible. It must also leave you with at least a 5% co-payment after the deductible. The annual co-payment cap is at least $6,000 and does not include the deductible. You may be able to use MediSave for eligible deductible and co-payment amounts, subject to CPF withdrawal limits and your available balance.

Before you book surgery, ask your insurer:

• Is my surgeon on the panel for my plan?
• Is the hospital on the panel for my plan?
• Do I need pre-authorisation?
• What deductible and co-payment will apply?
• Are the proposed graft and implants claimable?
• What is my estimated out-of-pocket cost?
• Will the hospital submit my MediSave and insurance claims?

Your insurer is the only party that can confirm your benefits and expected claim outcome. Ask for written confirmation before surgery.

Other costs to plan for

MOH’s hospital-bill data covers the surgical episode, including the operation, anaesthesia, implants, facility fees and immediate care. You may still pay separately for:

• MRI scans before surgery
• Specialist consultations before and after surgery
• A knee brace, if prescribed
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Follow-up imaging, if needed
• Transport and time away from work

Rehabilitation is an important part of ACL reconstruction recovery. It helps you regain knee movement, strength, balance and control before returning to higher-impact activities.

Ask your surgeon or hospital to include expected rehabilitation, brace and follow-up costs in your written estimate. This helps you plan for the full cost of recovery, not only the operation.

Not sure what to budget for beyond the surgery itself? Tell the HiA Care Team about your knee condition, treatment plan and insurance cover. We can help you prepare for a specialist consultation, compare suitable care options and ask the right questions about rehabilitation, estimates and insurance claims.

How to get an accurate estimate for your case

Your final bill depends on the procedure your surgeon recommends, whether you need meniscus treatment, your graft and implant choices, the hospital and your insurance cover. You will usually need a specialist assessment and may need an MRI before your surgeon can confirm the procedure.

Once you have a diagnosis:

• Ask your surgeon which TOSP code applies to your procedure. SB701K covers minimally invasive ACL or PCL reconstruction. SB703K includes meniscal repair, SB704K includes meniscectomy, and SB706K is double-bundle ACL reconstruction.
• Request an itemised estimate that includes the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, hospital charges, graft and implant costs, medicines and follow-up care.
• Ask whether you are likely to need a knee brace, physiotherapy or further scans, and include these costs in your planning.
• Check whether your surgeon and hospital are on your insurer’s panel.
• Ask your insurer whether you need pre-authorisation and what deductible, co-payment and exclusions may apply.
• Ask your insurer for your estimated out-of-pocket cost in writing.
• Confirm whether the hospital will submit MediSave and insurance claims on your behalf.

This checklist addresses the reader’s immediate financial decision and prepares them for insurer and hospital conversations.

Need help comparing your options?

Choosing ACL surgery involves more than comparing hospital bills. You may need to decide between public and private care, find a sports-knee specialist whose experience fits your injury, check your insurance-panel options and prepare the information needed for your consultation.

The Health in Asia Care Team can help you:

• Compare suitable orthopaedic and sports-medicine specialists based on your injury, insurance cover and hospital preference
• Coordinate appointments and help you understand what records, scans or referrals to prepare
• Prepare questions about procedure codes, written estimates, pre-authorisation and insurance claims
• Help you consider public and private treatment options before you commit
• Support you with next steps after your consultation, including follow-up or a second opinion if needed

WhatsApp us for a cost estimate and personalised support, from finding the right specialist to coordinating your care.

Health in Asia is an independent healthcare-navigation service. We do not have commercial relationships with hospitals or surgeons, and we do not recommend a provider based on referral payments.