What is an endometriosis surgery?
Endometriosis surgery can diagnose and treat endometriosis, a condition in which tissue that typically grows inside of your uterus grows outside of it instead.
Endometriosis surgery involves the removal of endometriosis. There are two different approaches:
Laparoscopy:
This is a minimally invasive procedure and is the most common approach to endometriosis surgery.
Endometriosis laparoscopic surgery treats mild to severe cases.
During the procedure, they’ll make a small incision in your abdomen so they can insert a tiny tube with a camera (laparoscope) through it.
In some cases, they may need to make more than one small incision.
Laparotomy:
Healthcare providers don’t use this open surgery approach as often as they used to.
Laparotomy is more invasive than laparoscopy.
It involves making one large incision across the abdomen, rather than a few small incisions.
Your surgeon might perform laparotomy when the condition is severe or when you don’t qualify for laparoscopy.
Why should I get endometriosis surgery?
You may need endometriosis surgery if you suffer from:
You have chronic (long-standing) or severe pelvic pain.
You need to remove areas of endometriosis in your pelvis.
Medication no longer relieves your endometriosis symptoms.
You have difficulty getting pregnant.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, request an appointment with our specialists at Thomson Medical for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
What is the cost of an endometriosis surgery in Singapore?
Costs for endometriosis surgery in Singapore vary significantly depending on whether you choose a public or private hospital.
Day surgery
Endometriosis surgery is under the TOSP code SI715U. Hence, based on the breakdown of fees, it will cost around SGD 6,200 to SGD 10,050.
MOH provided a breakdown of the fees for private hospitals and clinics as per SI800O:
Breakdown of Fees
However, additional charges may arise from expenses such as pre-surgery consultations, imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans, medications, and post-surgery follow-up appointments.
This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for endometriosis surgery may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the MOH website and discuss with your doctor for more details.
Are there any subsidies for endometriosis surgery?
Yes, there are several schemes in Singapore that can help offset the total costs of endometriosis surgery.
These include MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plans. Each offers different levels of coverage for your endometriosis surgery, depending on your eligibility and insurance arrangements.
MediSave
MediSave is a national medical savings scheme that allows Singaporean citizens and permanent residents to use their savings for hospitalisation expenses.
For hospitalisation, you can use up to SGD 1,130 per day for the first two days and SGD 400 per day for subsequent days for inpatient hospital charges. These charges include daily ward changes, treatment fees, investigations, and medications.
For day surgeries, you can use up to SGD 830 per day for hospital charges for day surgery, which include daily ward charges, daily treatment fees, investigations, and medicines.
For example, according to the CPF website, SI715U is classified under 3C on the Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). Hence, the withdrawal limit for endometriosis surgery is SGD 1,920.
However, other endometriosis surgery procedures may be under different TOSP codes, so it is best to double-check which TOSP code your procedure is classified under to see a more accurate representation of the withdrawal limit.
This article was written in June 2025. Endometriosis surgery costs may therefore have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the CPF website for more details.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan for all Singaporeans and PRs, designed to help pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments.
It will cover a portion of the surgical and hospitalisation costs for endometriosis surgery, and similar to MediSave, there are claim limits.
For hospitalisation, the claim limits are SGD 830 per day for normal wards and SGD 5,140 for intensive care unit (ICU) wards, which include an additional SGD 800 per day for the first two inpatient days.
For surgical procedures, MediShield Life also follows the TOSP, meaning that there will be a claim limit for hysterectomies under SI715U at SGD 1,920.
This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for endometriosis surgery may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the CPF website for more details.
Integrated Shield Plans
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are private insurance policies that offer additional coverage beyond what is provided by MediShield Life. They can cover a larger portion of your hospital bill, especially if you opt for private hospitals or higher-class wards.
Many IPs also offer “as-charged” benefits, meaning they cover the actual bill amount, subject to policy terms and annual limits.
Coverage details and claim limits vary depending on the insurer and the specific plan and additional riders purchased.
If you are curious how much you can claim from your IPs for your endometriosis surgery, it is best to talk to your insurance provider directly to discuss the details of your plan. For those under Prudential, please contact us via the Prudential medical concierge form if you have any further questions.
What factors affect the cost of my endometriosis surgery?
Several key factors influence the final bill for endometriosis surgery in Singapore:
Pre-surgery expenses
Initial consultation fees
Diagnostic imaging tests
Pre-operative assessments
Specialist referrals
Surgery-related costs
Surgical fees and anaesthesias
Type of surgery
Public hospital vs private hospital
Complexity of surgery
Post-surgery expenses
Follow-up consultations
Gynaecologists at Thomson Medical
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Dr Ryan Lee is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Thomson Medical. Dr Ryan’s practice encompasses general gynaecology and high-risk obstetrics with a special interest in maternal medicine.
Case Study: Private Hospital with Integrated Shield Plan
Profile: A 30-year-old female requiring a total endometriosis surgery (day surgery) at a private hospital covered by Integrated Shield Plan.
| Estimated total bill | Insurance coverage | Final out-of-pocket expenses |
|---|---|---|
| SGD 6,200 to SGD 10,050* | Since 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has mandated that all new IP riders include a minimum 5% co-payment—to encourage prudent use of healthcare services and avoid overconsumption.
| The patient would need to pay from SGD 310 to SGD 503, which can usually be covered either partially or fully by MediSave. |
Please note that for the most accurate estimate of insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses, you should consult their insurance provider directly, as coverage details vary by plan and insurer.
*For the most accurate pricing, please contact your healthcare provider directly to discuss with them the potential costs for the procedure.
*This article was written in June 2025. Prices may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the MOH website for more details.
How do I process my insurance claims?
To process an insurance claim at a hospital in Singapore, you typically need to inform the hospital staff of your intent to claim, gather required documents like final bills and receipts, and submit the claim to your insurance provider through their designated channels (online portal, email, etc.).
For some insurance policies, the hospital may handle the claims process directly, especially for cashless claims. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Understand your coverage:
Before you schedule your treatment, meet your financial advisor to discuss the costs and coverage available for you should you undergo endometriosis surgery.
Inform the hospital:
When you are admitted to the hospital, inform the hospital staff that you wish to make an insurance claim. They may guide you through the necessary paperwork and forms.
Gather the required documents:
Ensure you have all the original, final bills and receipts for all treatments, including hospital stays, procedures, and medications.
If available, gather any relevant medical reports, diagnostic test results, and discharge summaries.
If you used your MediSave account for payment, you'll need a statement showing the Hospital Registration Number (HRN).
You may need to download and complete a claim form from your insurance provider's website.
Submit the claim:
Many insurers offer different portals for submitting claims, including online portals, mobile apps, email, or direct paper submission to your financial advisor.
If the hospital handles the claim directly, they will submit it on your behalf.
Follow up and track progress:
You should receive an acknowledgement of your claim submission.
Check the status of your claim through your insurer's online portal or app.
Do note that claim processing typically takes about 2 to 3 months from the date of submission (e-filing).
Some complex cases may take longer, especially if additional documents or clarifications are required.
If you don't receive updates after 3 months or have more questions, contact your insurer or the hospital for assistance.
At Thomson Medical, the insurance claims process is streamlined for your convenience.
The hospital provides e-filing services, submitting claims directly to MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plan providers on your behalf.
This approach reduces paperwork and ensures claims are processed efficiently, allowing you to focus on recovery.
FAQ
What are the struggles of living with endometriosis?
Many patients also struggle with urination and bowel movements, painful sex, fatigue, digestive symptoms such as nausea, mental health, and trouble getting pregnant, with endometriosis doubling the risk of infertility.
Can you live with endometriosis without surgery?
The most common treatments for endometriosis that do not require surgery are hormone therapy and pain management. Hormones affect endometriosis tissues in the same way they affect endometrial tissues inside the uterus. Hormone changes that occur with a menstrual cycle can make endometriosis pain worse.
Is endometriosis surgery a major surgery?
In most cases, no. Historically, surgeons performed open surgery, which requires a large incision across your abdomen, to remove endometriosis. Today, however, almost everyone who needs endometriosis surgery can have laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgery that only requires small incisions.
What happens if I don't fix endometriosis?
If left untreated, sometimes endometriosis symptoms will improve, but most will stay the same. Some people will find their symptoms become worse without treatment. For most women with endometriosis, the symptoms will settle once they go through menopause.
Can Pap smears detect endometriosis?
No, a Pap smear cannot detect endometriosis. A Pap smear is used to diagnose cervical cancer and HPV.
Is endometriosis genetic?
Yes, endometriosis has a genetic component, meaning it can be passed down through families. While it's not caused by a single gene, research suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of endometriosis in some individuals. Studies indicate that having a family history of endometriosis, particularly with a first-degree relative like a mother or sister, increases the risk of developing the condition.
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice on pricing and services, contact us at Thomson Medical today.