How Much Does ACL Surgery Cost in 2026?
Without insurance, ACL reconstruction typically costs $6,000 to $25,000 for the surgery, plus physical therapy. With insurance, most people pay about $1,500 to $7,500 out of pocket.
- ACL reconstruction is a same-day outpatient arthroscopic surgery (CPT 29888); a bundled ambulatory surgery center is the lowest-cost venue, often $6,000-$12,000 cash.
- Physical therapy (commonly 4 to 9 months) is the biggest hidden cost and is billed separately from the surgery.
- Billed/chargemaster charges (often $20,000-$50,000) are far above what insurers or negotiated cash payers actually pay, so never treat the list price as final.
ACL Surgery Cost by Where You Go
Cash / self-pay price ranges for the surgery itself. Physical therapy is extra (see below).
| Where | Cash price |
|---|---|
| Bundled cash-price surgery center | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| Hospital outpatient department | $12,000 to $25,000 |
| Physical therapy (separate, 4-9 months) | $1,500 to $5,000 |
Lowest price: A bundled cash-price ambulatory surgery center, plus a self-pay physical therapy package
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What Makes Up the Bill
Total billed for the surgery before insurance is typically $20,000 to $50,000. It is usually split across:
On top of the surgery, budget for the diagnostic knee MRI ($300-$1,500), a post-op knee brace and crutches ($100-$600), and physical therapy, which for an ACL commonly runs 4 to 9 months and is the largest hidden cost. An autograft (your own tissue) avoids the allograft tissue fee but adds a second surgical site.
With vs. Without Insurance
Without insurance (self-pay)
$6,000 to $25,000
Ask for the cash or prompt-pay price up front, and get a self-pay physical therapy package quote separately. Both are often far below the billed amount.
With insurance (out of pocket)
$1,500 to $7,500
With commercial insurance, an in-network ACL reconstruction leaves you owing your deductible plus coinsurance up to your annual out-of-pocket maximum, commonly $1,500-$7,500 total for the year. Confirm the surgeon, facility, AND anesthesiologist are all in-network to avoid surprise bills, get prior authorization, and check how many physical therapy visits your plan covers before your copays add up.
Because ACL surgery, the MRI, the brace, and months of physical therapy are often billed by different providers, this is one of the easiest procedures to end up with surprise out-of-network charges. Confirm the network status of every provider involved, not just the surgeon.
How to Pay Less
Ask for an all-in bundled cash price at an ASC
Bundled surgery centers post all-inclusive ACL reconstruction packages (surgeon, anesthesia, facility) often in the $6,000-$12,000 range, well below hospital pricing and with no surprise add-ons.
Choose an ASC over a hospital outpatient department
The facility fee is the biggest line item, and an ambulatory surgery center charges far less than a hospital for the same arthroscopic procedure. Ask your surgeon which centers they operate at.
Get a self-pay physical therapy package
PT is the largest hidden ACL cost. Cash rates run about $75-$150 per visit, and many clinics offer discounted prepaid packages. Ask up front how many visits are expected and negotiate a bundle.
Shop the MRI separately
The diagnostic knee MRI is often cheaper at a standalone imaging center than at the hospital. See our knee MRI cost guide.
Check hospital charity care, or get the bill reduced
Uninsured or lower income? Many hospitals offer free or discounted care. Use the charity care finder to see if you qualify nearby. Already billed? CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates it down, with no fee unless we save you money.
Get your exact cost for your ZIP and insurance
Free, no signup. Enter the procedure, your ZIP code, and insurance to see what you would likely pay.
Open the cost estimatorFrequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover ACL surgery?
Yes. A torn ACL that needs reconstruction is medically necessary and covered by essentially all commercial plans, Medicaid, and Medicare when criteria are met. Your out-of-pocket is your deductible plus coinsurance, capped by your plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum, commonly $1,500 to $7,500. Physical therapy afterward is usually a separate benefit with its own copays.
Does the graft type change the cost?
Yes. An autograft (using your own tissue, such as the patellar or hamstring tendon) has no tissue-purchase cost but adds a second surgical site. An allograft (donor tissue) avoids the second site but adds a tissue fee of roughly $1,000 to $4,000. Your surgeon chooses based on your age, activity level, and preference.
Why is the billed amount so much higher than what people actually pay?
The chargemaster (list) price is a starting point almost no one pays. Billed charges for ACL reconstruction commonly run $20,000 to $50,000, but insurers pay negotiated rates and cash patients at an outpatient surgery center often pay a bundled $6,000 to $12,000. Always negotiate off the billed amount or ask for an all-in cash price.
What does the price include, and what might be extra?
A bundled surgery price usually covers the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility. Budget separately for the MRI to diagnose the tear, an allograft tissue fee if used, a post-op knee brace, crutches, and physical therapy, which for an ACL commonly runs 4 to 9 months and is the largest hidden cost. Always ask what is and is not included.
Is an outpatient (ASC) ACL reconstruction cheaper?
Yes. ACL reconstruction is almost always done as a same-day outpatient arthroscopic procedure (CPT 29888). An ambulatory surgery center carries a much lower facility fee than a hospital outpatient department, so a bundled ASC package is typically the lowest-cost option for both cash and insured patients.
More Cost Guides
Sources
- CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and ASC/hospital outpatient rates (CPT 29888)
- Hospital price-transparency (machine-readable file) cash rates for ACL reconstruction
- MDsave and bundled surgery-center outpatient ACL reconstruction package pricing
- Healthcare Bluebook and FAIR Health fair-price data for ACL reconstruction and physical therapy
- Published cost comparisons of autograft vs allograft ACL reconstruction
Prices are national estimates for 2026 and vary by location, provider, graft type, and your specific plan. Last updated September 12, 2026.