Cost of knee replacement surgery in Singapore

Understanding the True Cost of  Knee Replacement

The Ministry of Health (MOH) publishes benchmark costs for knee replacement surgery in Singapore, giving patients a useful reference point. What the figures don't always make clear is how the total bill is actually composed.

Subsidised vs. Private Rates

Direct comparisons between subsidised and private costs are not meaningful. Private rates most closely reflect the true cost of surgery. Subsidised rates vary widely depending on ward class, Medisave usage, MediShield Life coverage, and Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) entitlements.

In the public system, subsidised patients receive qualified care, though not necessarily from a certified specialist — senior oversight is standard practice. Patients on Special Assistance Plans may qualify for heavily subsidised procedures based on household means-testing.

Breaking Down the True Costs

1. Hospitalisation A typical stay is 4–5 days. At private hospitals, the median all-in bill for a primary total knee replacement is approximately SGD 48,746, with a typical range of SGD 43,473 to SGD 56,704. Ministry of Health

2. Implant Costs The implant component at private hospitals typically accounts for around SGD 8,213 of the total bill. Ministry of Health Premium or custom implants will cost more. Implant selection should reflect the patient's functional demands and anatomy — a more expensive implant does not automatically produce a better outcome. For revision surgery, implants typically cost twice those used in primary procedures, reflecting their added complexity.

3. Surgeon and Anaesthetist Fees MOH fee benchmarks (TOSP SB716K) set surgeon fees at SGD 10,464–14,715 (inclusive of GST) and anaesthetist fees at SGD 1,962–2,834. Ministry of Health These are benchmarks, not caps — complex cases may reasonably exceed them. All fees must be disclosed during financial counselling, as required by law.

MOH Benchmark Figures (2025)

Based on MOH published data (TOSP SB716K), typical all-in bills for a primary total knee replacement are approximately SGD 6,993 at subsidised public hospitals (Ward C), SGD 25,738 at unsubsidised public hospitals (Ward A), and SGD 48,746 at private hospitals — with the private range running from SGD 43,473 to SGD 56,704 depending on the facility.

Revision arthroplasty is not captured in these benchmarks. It is a more complex procedure performed by a small number of specialists in Singapore, and costs should be discussed directly with your surgeon.

Medisave and Insurance

Knee replacement is claimable under Medisave and MediShield Life under the applicable TOSP schedule. Integrated Shield Plans cover a significant portion of costs at private hospitals, though a minimum 5% co-payment applies under MOH guidelines. Speak with your insurer before surgery to understand your out-of-pocket exposure.

Our View

Cost transparency is valuable, but it is rarely the deciding factor for a patient who genuinely needs surgery. The more important considerations remain clinical need and the patient-surgeon relationship — particularly for revision cases where experience and surgical judgment matter most. The surgical techniques utilized at this practice are the result of over 25 years of frontline execution in Arthroplasty and Limb Salvage. Having served as an International Trainer and Chairman of the Clinical Competency Committee, we mentored the current generation of surgeons on the strict mechanical principles of precision and soft-tissue balancing. We apply these exact, uncompromising standards to your reconstruction. Learn more about our Academic Distinctions here. Uncompromising care requires clinical independence. We operate outside standard network panels to ensure your treatment is tailored entirely to your clinical needs, not corporate quotas. Verify your coverage here.

Note: All figures exclude 9% GST. For the most current benchmarks, refer directly to the MOH fee benchmark portal.

Correct as of March 2026