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Key Takeaways
- Keyhole knee surgery can range from about $3,000 for some subsidised public day-surgery procedures to over $40,000 for private-hospital procedures, depending on the operation and care setting.
- “Keyhole knee surgery” includes different operations, such as meniscectomy, meniscal repair and ACL reconstruction, so costs and recovery plans can vary widely.
- Check your procedure’s TOSP code, MediSave limit and insurance coverage before surgery, and ask for an itemised estimate. MOH recommends using the TOSP code to look up relevant bill information.
Keyhole knee surgery can cost anywhere from about $3,000 at a subsidised public hospital to more than $40,000 at a private hospital. This wide range is expected. “Keyhole knee surgery” covers several different operations, from trimming a torn meniscus to reconstructing a torn ACL.
Your bill depends mainly on the knee problem being treated. This guide uses MOH’s 2023 transacted bill data to compare common arthroscopic knee procedures, including meniscus surgery and ACL reconstruction.
Why keyhole knee surgery costs vary
Keyhole knee surgery is also called knee arthroscopy. Your surgeon inserts a camera and small instruments through tiny incisions instead of making one large incision.
Arthroscopy describes how the surgeon reaches the knee joint. It does not describe the exact operation. A meniscectomy, meniscal repair and ACL reconstruction are different procedures. They have different costs, recovery plans and MediSave limits.
MOH assigns each procedure a Table of Surgical Procedures, or TOSP, code. The code helps determine your hospital bill category and how much you may be able to claim from MediSave and MediShield Life.
Private-hospital keyhole knee surgery costs
MOH’s 2023 data shows the following typical private-hospital bills, including GST.
The typical bill is the median, meaning that half of patients paid less and half paid more.
In a private hospital, a meniscectomy typically costs about $19,000. ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair typically costs about $38,000. Both may use keyhole techniques, but they involve very different surgery and rehabilitation.
These figures are based on MOH transacted hospital bills from 2023. They include GST but do not reflect MediSave, MediShield Life or private-insurance payouts.
Which procedure might you need?
The procedure depends on the injury inside the knee. Meniscus tears, ACL tears and combined injuries may need different arthroscopic operations, which can affect the surgery cost, recovery plan and available financing.
Your surgeon will recommend a procedure after assessing your symptoms, examining your knee and reviewing your MRI scan.
Meniscus tear
If you have a meniscus tear without ligament damage, your surgeon may recommend:
- Meniscal repair, which stitches the tear when the meniscus is likely to heal.
- Meniscectomy, which removes damaged meniscus tissue when repair is unlikely to succeed.
Meniscal repair usually costs more and often requires a longer protected rehabilitation period, but it preserves more of the meniscus. Meniscectomy is often a shorter operation, but it permanently removes the damaged part of the meniscus.
ACL tear
If a torn ACL needs surgery, the usual procedure is ACL reconstruction. Your surgeon uses a graft to replace the torn ligament.
MOH classifies SB701K as minimally invasive ACL or PCL reconstruction. Double-bundle ACL reconstruction, coded SB706K, is a more specialised technique. Its typical private inpatient bill was $39,124 in 2023.
ACL tear with meniscus damage
An ACL tear can occur with a meniscus tear. Treating both problems during the same operation can cost more than ACL reconstruction alone.
In MOH’s 2023 private-hospital data:
- ACL reconstruction with meniscectomy cost $1,190 more than ACL reconstruction alone.
- ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair cost $5,525 more than ACL reconstruction alone.
Your surgeon should recommend the treatment that best suits your injury, rather than the lower-cost option.
Other arthroscopic knee procedures
Therapeutic arthroscopy (SB718K) may treat loose bodies, inflamed joint lining or certain conditions that require joint washout. MOH’s current bill-information page reports a typical subsidised public day-surgery bill of $2,660 and a typical private inpatient bill of $21,430. Its published private surgeon-fee benchmark is $6,976–$9,156, including GST.
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, ask your surgeon for the TOSP code. It helps you check your likely bill and financing limits.
Private and public costs
For the same procedure, subsidised public-hospital bills are generally much lower than private-hospital bills.
The subsidised public-hospital figures already include government subsidies. They are still before MediSave, MediShield Life and private-insurance payouts.
Compare the figures carefully. MOH publishes some procedures as day-surgery bills and others as inpatient bills. For example, meniscal repair is reported for both day surgery and inpatient care, while the ACL-reconstruction cost figures shown above are for inpatient care.
Your final out-of-pocket amount depends on your subsidy eligibility, ward class, MediSave balance and insurance coverage.
What MediSave may cover
MediSave limits depend on your procedure’s TOSP table. You can use MediSave for eligible treatment, and may also be able to use an eligible family member’s MediSave, subject to CPF rules and available balance.
The surgical withdrawal limit depends on the TOSP table. For example, the limit for a Table 5C ACL reconstruction is $2,770.
You may also use MediSave for eligible hospital charges. The limit is up to $830 per day for day surgery. For an inpatient stay, it is up to $1,130 per day for the first two days, then up to $400 per day from the third day.
These limits apply at both public and private hospitals. You may also use MediSave for eligible insurance deductibles and co-payments if you meet CPF rules and have enough MediSave savings.
How MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans apply
MediShield Life
MediShield Life can help pay for eligible arthroscopic knee surgery. Claim limits, deductibles and co-insurance still apply.
MediShield Life offers the strongest protection when you receive subsidised treatment in a public hospital. The amount it pays depends on your eligible bill and ward class. You may also need to pay a deductible and co-insurance, and claim limits apply.
If you choose a private hospital, MediShield Life pays only a reduced share of eligible charges before other claim limits apply. For Singapore citizens, the private-hospital pro-ration factors are 10% for surgical charges and 16% for ward charges. MediShield Life alone will therefore usually cover only a limited share of a private-hospital bill.
Integrated Shield Plans
An Integrated Shield Plan may pay more than MediShield Life alone, especially if your plan covers private-hospital treatment. However, your final out-of-pocket cost depends on your policy, rider, deductible, co-payment, panel status, pre-authorisation requirements and final bill.
Do not assume that an “as charged” plan will pay every item on the bill. Your insurer decides what it will pay under your policy terms. It may apply panel requirements, exclusions or benefit limits.
For new Integrated Shield Plan riders sold from 1 April 2026, the rider cannot cover your minimum IP deductible. After you pay the deductible, you must still pay at least 5% of the eligible bill. The annual co-payment cap is at least $6,000, excluding the deductible.
Before booking surgery, ask your insurer:
- Is my surgeon on my plan’s panel?
- Is the hospital on my plan’s panel?
- Do I need pre-authorisation?
- What deductible and co-payment will apply?
- Are the planned graft, implants and hospital charges claimable?
- What is my estimated out-of-pocket cost?
- Will the hospital submit MediSave and insurance claims?
Your insurer is the only party that can confirm your expected coverage and claim outcome. Ask for written confirmation before surgery.
Other costs to plan for
MOH’s bill figures cover the surgical episode, not every cost of recovery. You may also need to budget for:
- MRI scans before surgery
- Specialist consultations before and after surgery
- A knee brace or crutches, if prescribed
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Follow-up scans, if needed
- Transport and time away from work
Rehabilitation is a major part of knee-surgery recovery. ACL reconstruction often requires several months of structured physiotherapy. Meniscal repair may involve a longer protected recovery than meniscectomy, although your programme will depend on your procedure and injury.
Ask your surgeon or hospital to include 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.
A consultation allows your specialist to assess your condition and provide a more personalised estimate of expected treatment costs.
How to get an accurate estimate for your case
You may not know the exact cost until a specialist confirms your diagnosis and procedure. This may require an examination and MRI scan.
Once you have a diagnosis:
- Ask your surgeon which TOSP code applies to your procedure.
- Request an itemised estimate including surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, implant, medicine, rehabilitation and follow-up costs.
- Ask whether you may need a brace, crutches, physiotherapy or further scans.
- Check whether your surgeon and hospital are on your insurer’s panel.
- Ask your insurer whether you need pre-authorisation.
- Ask for your estimated deductible, co-payment and out-of-pocket cost in writing.
- Confirm whether the hospital will submit MediSave and insurance claims.
If your procedure has not yet been confirmed, ask which operations your surgeon is considering. This gives you a more realistic cost range while you wait for the final recommendation.
Need help comparing your options?
Choosing knee surgery is not only about comparing prices. You may also need to decide between public and private care, check your insurance coverage and prepare for your consultation.
The Health in Asia Care Team can help you:
- Compare orthopaedic and sports-medicine specialists based on your injury, insurance coverage and hospital preference
- Coordinate appointments and help you prepare scans, records and referral details
- Prepare questions about TOSP codes, itemised estimates, pre-authorisation and insurance claims
- Consider public and private treatment options before you decide
- Arrange support after a consultation, including a second opinion where appropriate
WhatsApp us for help understanding your options, preparing for a consultation and comparing estimates.
Health in Asia is an independent healthcare-navigation service. We do not have commercial relationships with hospitals or surgeons, and we do not recommend providers based on referral payments.
Frequently asked questions
No. Keyhole knee surgery describes the arthroscopic approach, not one specific operation. It may involve trimming damaged meniscus tissue, repairing a meniscus tear, reconstructing an ACL or treating another knee problem. Your diagnosis and TOSP code help determine the operation and likely cost.
Two quotes can differ because they may cover different operations. A meniscectomy has different surgical requirements, implant needs and operating time from ACL reconstruction or meniscal repair. Your hospital, surgeon, anaesthetist, implants, length of stay and insurance-panel status can also affect the estimate.
Bring your MRI report and images, referral letter or clinic notes, medication list, insurance-card details and any pre-authorisation documents. These help your surgeon recommend the right procedure and help the hospital or insurer prepare an accurate estimate.
You may be able to seek treatment through a public hospital, but the referral route and your subsidy eligibility can affect your bill and waiting time. Ask the public hospital how you can be referred and whether you qualify for subsidised treatment.
Disclaimer
This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition. For decisions about your health or treatment, speak with a qualified doctor who knows your situation. An…
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