Spine Surgery Costs at Private Hospitals in Singapore: What to Expect

What is spine surgery?

Spine surgery is a procedure performed to treat conditions that cause chronic back pain, nerve compression, or spinal instability—such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

Depending on the diagnosis, your surgeon may remove parts of the bone or disc material, relieve nerve pressure, or stabilise the spine with implants or bone grafts. 

The goal of spine surgery is to reduce pain, restore function, and improve mobility when conservative treatments have not worked.

What are the different types of spine surgery?

There are several types of spine surgery, each tailored to treat specific spinal conditions. Common procedures include discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion, and minimally invasive spinal decompression.

Discectomy

A discectomy is a surgical procedure where part of a herniated disc is removed to relieve pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord. This is typically done when a slipped or herniated disc is causing pain, numbness, or weakness that doesn't improve with conservative treatments. The procedure aims to alleviate nerve compression and improve your  symptoms.

Laminectomy

A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing part or all of the lamina, which is a bony structure at the back of each vertebra, to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This procedure is often performed to treat spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), herniated discs, or spinal tumours.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the spine, effectively eliminating movement between them. This aims to stabilise the spine, reduce pain caused by abnormal motion, and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve.

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure on spinal nerves as they exit the spinal canal through a bony opening called the foramen. This procedure involves widening the foramen to create more space for the nerve, which can be compressed by conditions like spinal stenosis, disc herniation, or bone spurs.

Artificial disc replacement

Artificial disc replacement (ADR), also known as total disc replacement (TDR) or disc arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or degenerated spinal disc is replaced with a prosthetic disc. This procedure aims to restore spinal motion and flexibility, offering an alternative to spinal fusion surgery, which can limit movement.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures, often caused by osteoporosis or injury. It involves inserting a balloon into the fractured vertebra, inflating it to create space, and then filling the space with bone cement to stabilise the fracture and restore some vertebral height.

Each procedure has its benefits and recovery expectations. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate type based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and overall health.

What is the cost of spine surgery in Singapore?

Costs for spine surgery in Singapore vary significantly depending on whether you choose a public or private hospital. 

Inpatient surgery

Spine surgeries are under TOSP codes SB759S, SK728S, SB802C, SB740S, SB739S, SB754S, SB760S, SB755S, and SB730S.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general guidance only. Always consult your doctor to determine which spine procedure is most appropriate for your condition. Your surgeon can also advise which MOH Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) code your surgery falls under, as this affects MediSave and insurance claim eligibility.

Overall, you can expect spine surgeries to cost between SGD 20,580 and SGD 28,146, depending on the type and complexity of the procedure in private hospitals.

MOH provided a breakdown of the fees for private hospitals and clinics as per SB740S:

Breakdown of Fees

However, additional charges may arise from expenses such as pre-surgery consultations, imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans, medications, post-surgery follow-up appointments, and extended rehabilitation.

This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for spine 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 spine surgery?

Yes, there are several schemes in Singapore that can help offset the total costs of spine surgery.

These include MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plans. Each offers different levels of coverage for your spine 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 medicines.

For day surgery, you can claim up to SGD 830 per day for hospital charges related to the procedure. For surgery, you can use between SGD 240 and SGD 5,290 from your MediSave, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

According to the CPF website, spine surgery as per SB740S is classified under 4A on the Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). Hence, the withdrawal limit for spine surgery is SGD 2,380.

This article was written in May 2025. Hence, prices for spine surgery may 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 spine 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 spine surgery at SGD 2,380.

This article was written in May 2025. Hence, prices for spine 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 spine 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 spine surgery?

Several key factors influence the final bill for spine surgery in Singapore:

• Pre-surgery expenses

  • Initial consultation fees

  • Diagnostic imaging tests

  • Pre-operative assessments

  • Specialist referrals (when necessary)

• Surgery-related costs

  • Surgical fees and anaesthesias

  • Medical devices and implants (when necessary)

  • Day surgery vs inpatient costs

• Post-surgery expenses

  • Follow-up consultations

  • Physiotherapy sessions

  • Protective footwear and orthotics

  • Wound care supplies

Case Study: Private Hospital with Integrated Shield Plan

Profile: A 74-year-old woman with osteoporosis suffered a painful spinal compression fracture after a minor fall. She reported difficulty walking and severe lower back pain. 

After imaging confirmed a collapsed vertebra, she was referred for kyphoplasty to stabilise the fracture and relieve pain. The minimally invasive procedure was performed at a private hospital under local anaesthesia and light sedation.

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.

*This article was written in May 2025. Prices for spine surgery are currently not available for private hospitals, so an estimate was included. This 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 up with your financial advisor to discuss the costs and coverage available for you should you undergo spine 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

How long do I need to stay in the hospital?

Is physiotherapy necessary?

How big will my scar be?

What to avoid after spine surgery?

Can I travel after spine surgery?

At what age is back surgery not recommended?

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.