Meniscus repair in a Singapore private hospital has a typical day surgery bill of $21,898, while the same procedure in a subsidised public day surgery ward has a typical bill of $4,597.
These are median transacted bills published by the Ministry of Health, before MediSave and insurance. This guide explains what drives the difference and how much you may pay yourself.
Key takeaways
- Private hospital day surgery for meniscal repair has a typical bill of $21,898, based on MOH 2023 transacted bills.
- Subsidised public day surgery has a typical bill of $4,597 for the same procedure.
- The operation fee is the largest single item in a private bill, at a typical $18,109 for day surgery.
- MOH publishes a recommended surgeon fee range of $7,848 to $11,445 with GST for meniscal repair in the private sector.
- MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans all reduce your final out-of-pocket cost, though the rules for new Integrated Shield Plan riders changed on 1 April 2026.
- Repair and removal are billed under different TOSP codes, so the cost is not the same.
Meniscus surgery is keyhole knee surgery that treats a torn meniscus, the C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee. A surgeon either repairs the tear with stitches or removes the damaged portion. Both are done arthroscopically through small incisions.
How much does meniscus surgery cost in Singapore?
Meniscus surgery in Singapore has a typical bill of $4,597 in a subsidised public day surgery ward and $21,898 in a private hospital day surgery, according to Ministry of Health transacted bill data.
These figures are median bills, meaning half of patients were charged less and half were charged more.
The table below shows the typical hospital bill for arthroscopic meniscal repair, billed under TOSP code SB715K. All amounts include GST and are before MediSave and insurance.
| Setting | Ward type | Typical bill | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public hospital | Day surgery (subsidised) | $4,597 | $3,228 to $6,149 |
| Public hospital | Day surgery (unsubsidised) | $13,042 | $10,343 to $13,995 |
| Public hospital | Ward B2 (inpatient) | $4,997 | $3,631 to $6,780 |
| Public hospital | Ward A (inpatient) | $15,385 | $12,464 to $17,782 |
| Private hospital | Day surgery | $21,898 | $19,103 to $27,265 |
| Private hospital | Inpatient | $27,340 | $23,865 to $31,209 |
The difference between public and private is driven mainly by the operation fee and the ward charges. In a subsidised public day surgery the typical operation fee is $2,143. In a private hospital day surgery the typical operation fee is $18,109.
What is the cost difference between meniscus repair and removal?
Meniscus repair and meniscus removal are billed under different codes, and repair generally costs more because it takes longer and may require implants to hold the tear while it heals.
Repair is billed as SB715K and sits in TOSP Table 5A. Removal, or meniscectomy, is billed as SB808K and sits in the lower Table 4A.
The TOSP table matters because it sets both your MediSave withdrawal limit and your MediShield Life claim limit. A higher table generally allows a higher claim.
| Procedure | TOSP code | TOSP table | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meniscal repair | SB715K | 5A | The tear is stitched and preserved |
| Meniscectomy | SB808K | 4A | The damaged portion is trimmed away |
Not every meniscus tear leads to surgery. Some tears respond to non-surgical measures such as activity modification and a supervised physiotherapy programme, and this is usually the starting point where the knee remains stable. Where surgery is being considered, cost sits alongside the clinical picture rather than ahead of it. Repair preserves the meniscus, which continues to cushion the knee, while removal reduces that cushioning. Which option is appropriate depends on where the tear sits and whether it has a blood supply, and that assessment rests with the treating orthopaedic surgeon. You can read more in our guide to meniscus tear treatment options.
What is included in the meniscus surgery bill?
A meniscus surgery bill includes the surgeon fee, the anaesthetist fee, the hospital or facility fee, implants where used, and other charges such as consumables and medication.
MOH groups these into three published components: the operation fee, the implant fee, and other fees. For private hospital day surgery under SB715K, the typical bill breaks down as follows.
| Bill item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Operation fee | $18,109 |
| Implant fee | $983 |
| Other fees (ward, consumables, medication, tests) | $2,406 |
| Typical total | $21,898 |
MOH also publishes a recommended fee range for private care. For meniscal repair, MOH states a reasonable surgeon fee of $7,848 to $11,445 including GST, and an anaesthetist fee of $1,308 to $1,744 including GST. The surgeon fee is one part of the wider operation fee shown above, which is why the two figures differ. These are reference ranges rather than caps, and MOH notes that more complex cases may sit at the higher end. You can review the full list on the MOH fee benchmarks page.
How much can MediSave cover for meniscus surgery?
MediSave can be used for meniscus surgery, with the withdrawal limit set by the TOSP table your procedure falls under.
Meniscal repair sits in Table 5A and meniscectomy in Table 4A, so the two have different limits.
MediSave limits are revised periodically, so check the current figure rather than relying on an older number. The CPF Board MediSave page lists the current surgical withdrawal limits by table. Your hospital’s business office can also confirm the exact limit for your procedure code before admission.
Two points are worth knowing. MediSave can be used by you or an immediate family member. It applies in both public and private hospitals, so private patients can still draw on it.
Does MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan cover meniscus surgery?
MediShield Life covers meniscus surgery up to a claim limit set for the procedure’s TOSP table, and an Integrated Shield Plan covers a larger share of a private hospital bill.
MediShield Life is designed around subsidised public ward costs, so it covers only part of a private bill.
If you hold an Integrated Shield Plan, the coverage depends on your plan tier. A plan covering private hospitals will absorb much more of a $21,898 bill than MediShield Life alone. Most Integrated Shield Plan riders sold since 2018 include a co-payment, so you should expect to pay a share yourself.
New riders sold from that date can no longer cover the minimum Integrated Shield Plan deductible, which MOH sets between $1,500 and $3,500 per policy year depending on ward class. The minimum co-payment cap also rose from $3,000 to $6,000 per policy year, applied to co-payments excluding that deductible. The minimum 5 per cent co-payment itself is unchanged. Both the deductible and the co-payment can be paid using MediSave, subject to prevailing withdrawal limits. Riders bought before 1 April 2026 continue under their existing terms for now, so it is worth checking which set of rules applies to your policy.
Before surgery, ask your insurer for pre-authorisation and a written estimate of your out-of-pocket amount. Details of national coverage are on the MediShield Life page.
What extra costs should you budget for?
Beyond the surgical bill, budget for imaging, consultations, and physiotherapy, which are usually billed separately.
These are easy to overlook when comparing quotes. Typical additional items include:
- Specialist consultation before and after surgery.
- MRI scan to confirm the tear and plan the procedure.
- Physiotherapy sessions during rehabilitation, which continue for several weeks.
- Follow-up reviews with your surgeon.
- Medication for pain and swelling after surgery.
Ask for these to be itemised in your quote. Recovery costs after a meniscus procedure are ongoing rather than one-off, and physiotherapy is often the largest of them.
How can you reduce your out-of-pocket cost for meniscus surgery?
You can reduce your out-of-pocket cost by choosing day surgery where clinically suitable, confirming your MediSave and insurance position early, and requesting an itemised quote before admission.
For this procedure, the MOH data shows day surgery bills sitting below inpatient bills in every setting published.
- Ask whether day surgery is suitable for your case. Private day surgery has a typical bill of $21,898 against $27,340 for inpatient.
- Request pre-authorisation from your insurer so you know your co-payment in advance.
- Ask for an itemised quote covering surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, and implant fees.
- Compare the quote against the MOH benchmarks and ask your surgeon to explain any figure outside the published range.
- Check your ward entitlement if you are treated in a public hospital, since subsidised wards carry substantially lower bills.
How do you get an accurate quote for meniscus surgery?
An accurate quote requires a diagnosis first, because the cost depends on whether your meniscus can be repaired or needs trimming.
The two procedures carry different codes and different MediSave limits, and they take different amounts of time.
A proper assessment involves a clinical examination of the knee and imaging, usually an MRI, to identify the location and pattern of the tear. Only then can a surgeon confirm which procedure applies and provide a fee estimate.
A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton is a Harvard Fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon practising at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, with a subspecialty interest in knee arthroscopy and sports injuries. He is a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Patients who would like to discuss a diagnosis and obtain an itemised fee estimate can reach the clinic through the contact page. You can also read our related guides on meniscus tears and orthopaedic care costs in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions about meniscus surgery cost in Singapore
About A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton
A/Professor Andrew Quoc Dutton
Professional Memberships: Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) · American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS)
Telephone: +65 6836 8000
Website: drandrewdutton.com
Date of Medical Review: July 2026
Sources
- Ministry of Health Singapore. SB715K, Knee, Meniscus/Cartilage, MIS Meniscal Repair, bill information. Transacted bills 1 January to 31 December 2023.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/bills-and-fee-benchmarks/cost-financing/tosp-sb715k-bill-information
- Ministry of Health Singapore. Hospital bills and fee benchmarks.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/bills-and-fee-benchmarks/hospital-bills-and-fee-benchmarks
- Ministry of Health Singapore. MediShield Life.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medishield-life
- Central Provident Fund Board. Using your MediSave savings.cpf.gov.sg/member/healthcare-financing/using-your-medisave-savings
- Ministry of Health Singapore. New requirements for Integrated Shield Plan riders. Press release, 26 November 2025.moh.gov.sg/newsroom — New requirements for Integrated Shield Plan riders