Most patients researching hip arthroscopy in Singapore are not doing it casually.
They have usually just been told that a labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement, or another intra-articular hip condition might call for surgical assessment. Somewhere between that conversation and the next appointment, the cost question moves from theoretical to concrete.
The first thing patients tend to find is that the numbers vary widely. A subsidised public-hospital bill can come in below S$3,000. A private-hospital bill for the same TOSP-coded procedure can exceed S$20,000. The difference isn't random; it reflects setting, ward class, length of stay, insurance coverage and clinical complexity.
This guide walks through what shapes those numbers, what Medisave and MediShield Life cover, and what the new April 2026 Integrated Shield Plan rider rules mean for out-of-pocket costs. Every figure is sourced from MOH or CPF Board publications, listed in full at the end of this article. It is medically reviewed by A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore.
Every cost, claim limit and statistic in this article is sourced from official Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore or Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board publications. Source citations [1] through [12] appear inline and are listed in full at the end of this article. Hospital bill figures reflect MOH transacted bill data covering the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, the most recent published data as of April 2026. All sources verified directly on 28 April 2026.
The MOH bill information page is titled "SB700H, Knee, Therapeutic Arthroscopy, With/Without Synovectomy" because the same TOSP code covers both knee and hip therapeutic arthroscopy. The page body explicitly states the procedure description as "Hip/Knee therapeutic arthroscopy with/without synovectomy/labral repair/FAI resection for hip". Patients and insurers refer to this same SB700H code for hip arthroscopy claims.
Key Takeaways
- MOH publishes transacted bill data for hip arthroscopy under TOSP code SB700H. Public hospital subsidised bills typically fall well below S$10,000 (median S$2,660 to S$3,564), while private hospital bills typically range from approximately S$17,500 to S$25,000 by hospital.1
- The MOH-recommended surgeon fee benchmark for SB700H is S$6,976 to S$9,156 (with GST), effective 1 January 2025. The anaesthetist fee benchmark is S$1,199 to S$1,526 (with GST).4
- Medisave withdrawal for the surgical procedure is capped at S$2,380 for Table 4A procedures (effective 1 April 2025). Day surgery ward charges may be claimed up to S$830 per day.2
- The MediShield Life surgical claim limit for Table 4A is S$2,310 (effective 1 October 2025). Daily ward charges, implants and ICU stays are claimable separately within their own limits.3
- From 1 April 2026, new Integrated Shield Plan riders sold cannot cover the minimum IP deductible (S$1,500 to S$3,500 depending on ward class) and the annual co-payment cap is set at S$6,000.5
- Patients should request an itemised quotation from the chosen hospital and verify insurance terms with their insurer before any booking.
All figures in this article are sourced from MOH and CPF Board publications and are not specific to any single clinic or surgeon. Actual costs depend on clinical assessment, chosen facility, ward class, implant choices and insurer policy terms. Patients should obtain itemised quotations from their chosen hospital.
What Is Hip Arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure performed through small incisions, using a fibre-optic camera to access intra-articular hip conditions such as labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), cartilage damage and loose body removal.
MOH classifies the procedure under TOSP code SB700H, described as: "Hip/Knee therapeutic arthroscopy with/without synovectomy/labral repair/FAI resection for hip".1
Patient suitability for hip arthroscopy is determined by the treating orthopaedic surgeon based on clinical assessment, imaging findings, joint condition, age and response to prior conservative treatment. For some patients with severe arthritis, total hip replacement may be the more clinically appropriate option, depending on the surgeon's assessment.
As with any surgical procedure, hip arthroscopy carries general surgical risks and procedure-specific considerations. These are best reviewed in person, alongside the expected benefits, the patient's overall health and the underlying hip condition. A consultation with a qualified orthopaedic surgeon is the appropriate setting for that discussion.
Non-surgical management may also be considered, depending on the underlying diagnosis and severity. Conservative options can include physiotherapy, activity modification, weight management, anti-inflammatory medication and image-guided injections. The treating orthopaedic surgeon determines the appropriate management pathway based on clinical assessment, imaging findings and the patient's response to prior treatment.
Hip Arthroscopy: MOH Transacted Bill Data
Where surgery happens and how long the patient stays are the two biggest cost levers, which is why MOH publishes its bill data split by length of stay (day surgery or inpatient) and ward class. The figures below are sourced directly from the MOH Hospital Bill Information page for TOSP SB700H, based on actual transacted bills for Singapore Citizens between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. All amounts are inclusive of GST. Bill amounts for public hospitals are after Government subsidies, where applicable.1
Day Surgery (stay less than 24 hours)
| Setting | Ward Type | Typical Bill (Median) | Typical Bill Range (25th to 75th percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Hospital | Day Surgery (Subsidised) | S$2,660 | S$1,990 to S$3,759 |
| Public Hospital | Day Surgery (Unsubsidised) | S$7,540 | S$7,245 to S$9,781 |
| Private Hospital | Day Surgery | S$17,502 | S$16,487 to S$18,754 |
Inpatient (stay 24 hours or more)
| Setting | Ward Type | Typical Bill (Median) | Typical Bill Range (25th to 75th percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Hospital | Ward C (Subsidised) | S$3,564 | S$2,446 to S$5,431 |
| Public Hospital | Ward B2 (Subsidised) | S$2,830 | S$1,933 to S$4,146 |
| Public Hospital | Ward A (Unsubsidised) | S$9,343 | S$7,997 to S$10,797 |
| Private Hospital | Clinics (per MOH classification) | S$18,217 | S$15,123 to S$24,493 |
| Private Hospital | Inpatient | S$21,430 | S$19,282 to S$24,617 |
Hip Arthroscopy: By Hospital (Inpatient)
Beneath the broad public-versus-private split, MOH also breaks the data down to individual hospitals. MOH publishes hospital-level data for hospitals with sufficient case volume (10 or more cases). Hospitals with fewer cases are not shown.1
| Hospital | Setting | Ward Type | Typical Bill | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Elizabeth Hospital | Private | 1 bedded ward | S$22,208 | S$21,013 to S$23,478 |
| Mount Elizabeth Hospital | Private | 2 bedded ward | S$21,030 | S$19,081 to S$26,234 |
| Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital | Private | 1 bedded ward | S$22,559 | S$21,520 to S$25,249 |
| Gleneagles Hospital | Private | 1 bedded ward | S$21,456 | S$19,927 to S$29,188 |
| KK Women's and Children's Hospital | Public (Subsidised) | Ward C | S$2,815 | S$2,024 to S$3,830 |
| Tan Tock Seng Hospital | Public (Subsidised) | Ward B2 | S$3,918 | S$2,232 to S$4,882 |
MOH-Recommended Fee Benchmarks (Effective 1 January 2025)
Hospital bills cover the full cost of admission, but it can also help to know what each professional fee inside that bill should look like. MOH publishes recommended fee benchmarks for routine and typical cases in the private healthcare sector. The benchmarks for SB700H are:4
| Fee Type | With GST | Without GST |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon Fee | S$6,976 to S$9,156 | S$6,400 to S$8,400 |
| Anaesthetist Fee | S$1,199 to S$1,526 | S$1,100 to S$1,400 |
| Inpatient Doctor's Attendance Fee (per day, office hours) | S$230 to S$450 | S$210 to S$420 |
How to Use Fee Benchmarks
Per MOH guidance, lower-end fees are generally associated with less complex cases, while higher-end fees are associated with more complex cases. The benchmarks serve as a reference for reasonable fee ranges in the private sector and are not a fee cap.4
Per the MOH press release on fee benchmarks, approximately 90% of doctors charge within the recommended surgeon fee benchmarks since their introduction in 2018.12
Public Hospital Subsidy: How It Works
For Singapore Citizens choosing public-hospital care, three layers reduce the bill: government subsidies, Medisave withdrawals and MediShield Life claims. Subsidies sit at the top of that stack.
Government subsidies for public hospital care can reach up to 80% for both surgical procedures and daily hospital charges, depending on ward class and means-testing.7
Per a 2020 MOH parliamentary reply, for less complex surgical procedures, the bulk of subsidised hospital bills are paid through subsidies, with MediShield Life and Medisave covering most of the remainder. The figure cited at that time indicated that 8 in 10 subsidised hospitalisation bills incurred by Singaporeans were paid in S$100 in cash or less. Patients should consult the latest MOH information for current figures, which may have changed.7
Medisave Withdrawal Limits
Below the subsidy layer sits Medisave, the personal CPF medical savings account that patients can draw on directly. Hip arthroscopy under SB700H falls within Medisave Table 4A. Medisave withdrawal limits, effective 1 April 2025, are:2
| Item | Maximum Amount Allowed |
|---|---|
| Surgical operation (Table 4A) | S$2,380 |
| Day surgery ward charges (per day) | Up to S$830 |
| Inpatient ward charges (first 2 days, per day) | Up to S$1,130 |
| Inpatient ward charges (third day onwards, per day) | Up to S$400 |
Patients can use their own Medisave or that of immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, grandchildren or siblings) to pay for hip arthroscopy.
MediShield Life Coverage
Where Medisave is the patient's own savings, MediShield Life is the next layer. MediShield Life is the basic national health insurance scheme administered by the CPF Board. For SB700H (Table 4A), MediShield Life claim limits effective 1 October 2025 are:3
| Sub-table | Surgical Procedure Claim Limit |
|---|---|
| Table 4A | S$2,310 |
| Table 4B | S$2,370 |
| Table 4C | S$2,460 |
Daily Ward and Treatment Claim Limits
MediShield Life additionally provides:3
- Normal ward: S$830 per day, with an additional S$800 per day for the first two days of inpatient stay
- Intensive care unit ward: S$5,140 per day, with an additional S$800 per day for the first two days of inpatient stay
- Implants: S$7,000 per treatment
- Maximum claim limit: S$200,000 per policy year, no lifetime limit
MediShield Life Deductible and Co-insurance
Two patient contributions kick in before MediShield Life pays out: a deductible (charged once per policy year) and co-insurance on the claimable amount. Both vary by age and ward class. Per MOH Table I (applicable for admissions or treatments received on or after 1 March 2021), the deductible amounts for patients aged 80 and below are:8
- Day Surgery: S$1,500
- Class C ward: S$2,000
- Class B1 or B2 ward: S$2,500
- Class A ward, including stay in private hospitals: S$3,500
- For patients aged 81 and above, deductibles are higher: S$2,000 (Day Surgery), S$2,750 (Class C), S$3,500 (Class B1/B2) and S$4,500 (Class A or private).
- Co-insurance: starts at 10% of the claimable amount and decreases as the bill increases (down to 3%)
Per MOH Table J, the co-insurance rate is 10% on the first S$5,000 of the claimable amount inclusive of deductible, 5% on the next S$5,000, and 3% above S$10,000.
MediShield Life is designed to cover subsidised bills in Class B2 or C wards. Bills for Class A, B1, B2+ wards or private hospitals are pro-rated before claims are computed.8
Integrated Shield Plan Riders: 2026 Regulatory Changes
For patients with Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) and riders, an important regulatory shift took effect on 1 April 2026 that materially changes out-of-pocket exposure for newly-sold policies.
From 1 April 2026, MOH requires all newly-sold IP riders to comply with new requirements. New riders cannot cover the minimum IP deductible. The annual co-payment cap is raised from S$3,000 to S$6,000. Premiums of new riders are expected to be approximately 30% lower than existing riders with maximum coverage. Existing rider holders may continue with their current rider terms until insurer-led transition.
Specific implications for hip arthroscopy patients with new IP riders sold from 1 April 2026:5
- Patient pays the IP deductible upfront (typically S$1,500 to S$3,500 depending on ward class)
- Patient pays a minimum 5% co-insurance
- Annual co-payment cap: S$6,000 (excluding the deductible)
- Pre-authorisation requirements and panel doctor usage may apply for the cap to be effective
Patients should contact their insurer to confirm whether they hold a pre-2026 rider or a new compliant rider, as this materially affects out-of-pocket costs.
Pro-Ration for Non-Subsidised Bills
MediShield Life benefits are designed for subsidised public hospital bills (Class B2 and C wards). Bills for Class A, B1, B2+ wards or private hospitals, and bills incurred by Permanent Residents, are pro-rated before MediShield Life claims are computed; the pro-ration factor reduces the claimable portion proportionally. Patients should refer to MOH for the prevailing pro-ration factors.8
How to Plan for Hip Arthroscopy Costs
Once hip arthroscopy is on the table as an option, the most useful sequence is straightforward: itemised hospital quote first, insurance verification second, booking last. The wording and checklists below are designed to make each step concrete.
Sample Wording for Requesting an Itemised Quote
When contacting the hospital billing office, the following wording may be useful:
"I am seeking a detailed, itemised cost estimate for hip arthroscopy under TOSP code SB700H. Please include the surgeon fee, anaesthetist fee, operating theatre charges, implant costs (with brand and unit count if applicable), ward class charges, imaging, follow-up consultations and contingency allowance. Please indicate which components fall within MOH fee benchmarks and which exceed them."
Insurance Verification Checklist
Before booking, confirm with your insurer:
- TOSP procedure code (SB700H) coverage under your specific plan
- Whether the procedure is classified as inpatient or day surgery for claim purposes
- Deductible and co-insurance amounts under your specific plan
- Whether your IP rider is a pre-2026 rider or post-1 April 2026 compliant rider
- Annual claim limits and any pre-existing condition exclusions
- Network status of the surgeon and chosen hospital
- Required documentation and pre-authorisation timelines
- Written approval reference numbers and assigned case manager contact
Documents Typically Required for Pre-Authorisation
- Specialist assessment and diagnosis with clinical justification
- MRI or MR arthrogram report supporting the diagnosis
- Documentation of conservative treatment trial and outcome
- Surgical plan with TOSP code (SB700H) and ICD-10 diagnosis code
- Itemised hospital cost estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering Hip Arthroscopy: Practical Steps
For patients weighing hip arthroscopy as an option, the cost picture is one half of the decision. The other half is clinical and administrative, and a few practical steps tend to make both halves easier to navigate:
- A clinical assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon, including appropriate imaging (typically MR arthrogram), can confirm diagnosis and treatment options.
- Itemised written estimates from shortlisted hospitals can be requested by reference to TOSP code SB700H.
- Insurance verification, including written pre-authorisation, should be obtained before booking surgery.
- Patients can compare quoted fees against MOH-published benchmark ranges and bill data to check reasonableness.
About A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton
A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton
Academic: Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University of Singapore
Former Appointments: Former Head, NUH Sports Clinic
Professional Memberships: AAOS (Fellow) · AAHKS (Member) · AANA (Member)
Subspecialties: Knee, hip, shoulder, sports injuries, regenerative medicine
Location: 3 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Level 12, Suite 12-10, Singapore 228510
Contact: +65 6836 8000 · info@eliteortho.com.sg · www.drandrewdutton.com
Date of Medical Review: April 2026
Clinic Information
| A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton Orthopaedic & Sports Clinic | |
|---|---|
| Address | 3 Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Level 12, Suite 12-10, Singapore 228510 |
| Tel | (+65) 6836 8000 |
| info@eliteortho.com.sg | |
| Website | www.drandrewdutton.com |
| Hours | Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Closed Sundays & Public Holidays |
| Access | Direct bookings accepted. No GP referral required for private appointments. |
Sources and References
Every cost, claim limit and statistic in this article is sourced from official Singapore government publications. The numbered citations in the article body correspond to the sources below. All source URLs were verified as live and accurate on 28 April 2026.
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "SB700H, Knee, Therapeutic Arthroscopy, With/Without Synovectomy." Hospital Bill Information page covering hip and knee arthroscopy. Last updated by MOH 25 April 2026.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/bills-and-fee-benchmarks/cost-financing/tosp-sb700h-bill-information
- Central Provident Fund Board. "Medisave Withdrawal Limits." PDF document, last updated 1 April 2025.cpf.gov.sg — Medisave Withdrawal Limits (1 April 2025)
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "MediShield Life Benefits." Last updated by MOH 17 April 2026. Applicable for admissions or treatments received on or after 1 October 2025.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medishield-life/medishield-life-benefits
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "List of Fee Benchmarks." MOH Fee Benchmarks Publication effective 1 January 2025.MOH Fee Benchmarks (wef 1 Jan 2025) Publication (PDF)
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "New Requirements for Integrated Shield Plan Riders to Strengthen Sustainability of Private Health Insurance and Address Rising Healthcare Costs." Newsroom announcement, 26 November 2025. Effective 1 April 2026.moh.gov.sg/newsroom — New Requirements for IP Riders
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "Hospital Bills and Fee Benchmarks, Overview." Information on how fee benchmarks are used.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/bills-and-fee-benchmarks/hospital-bills-and-fee-benchmarks
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "Medisave and MediShield Coverage for Surgical Procedures." Parliamentary reply, MOH Newsroom (the cited statistics on subsidised hospitalisation bills were published in 2020).moh.gov.sg/newsroom — Medisave and MediShield Coverage for Surgical Procedures
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "How to Make a MediShield Life Claim." Information on deductibles, co-insurance and pro-ration factors.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medishield-life/how-to-make-a-medishield-life-claim
- Central Provident Fund Board. "MediShield Life Calculator Examples." Worked examples for surgical procedures across ward classes (examples on this page may use figures predating the 1 October 2025 MediShield Life update; for current claim limits refer to source 3).cpf.gov.sg — MediShield Life Calculator Examples
- Central Provident Fund Board. "MediSave and MediShield Life Claims Calculator." Online calculator for personalised estimates.cpf.gov.sg — Medisave and MediShield Life Claims Calculator
- Healthcare Services (Advertisement) Regulations 2021 (S 1033/2021). Singapore Statutes Online (Legislation Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore).sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/HSA2020-S1033-2021
- Ministry of Health Singapore. "New Fee Benchmarks for Private Healthcare Sector." MOH Newsroom press release on fee benchmark methodology and adoption rates (close to 90% of doctors charging within recommended benchmarks).moh.gov.sg/newsroom — New Fee Benchmarks for Private Healthcare Sector