Cost Guides

How Much Does ACL Surgery Cost in 2026?

ACL reconstruction costs $12,000-$50,000 before insurance. Breakdown of surgeon fees, facility costs, PT, and how to manage out-of-pocket expenses.

Average ACL Surgery Cost

ACL reconstruction in the United States costs $12,000 to $50,000 before insurance in 2026. The wide range depends on your location (major metro vs smaller city), facility type (hospital vs outpatient surgery center), graft type, and whether additional repairs are needed (meniscus, cartilage).

The average out-of-pocket cost with insurance is $2,000 to $6,000, depending on your plan's deductible and coinsurance.

Cost Breakdown

Component	Cost Range
Surgeon fee	$2,000–$6,000
Facility/hospital fee	$8,000–$30,000
Anesthesia	$1,500–$3,000
MRI (pre-operative)	$500–$2,000
Brace	$100–$500
Physical therapy (6-9 months)	$3,000–$8,000
Follow-up visits	$200–$600
Total before insurance	$12,000–$50,000

Outpatient vs hospital: Having ACL surgery at an outpatient surgery center can save 30-50% on facility fees compared to a hospital.

Insurance Coverage for ACL Surgery

Physical exam showing knee instability
MRI confirming a complete ACL tear
Documentation that conservative treatment was considered

Prior authorization is typically required. Your surgeon's office handles this.

Medicare covers ACL surgery for eligible patients. Workers' compensation covers ACL tears that occur on the job. Auto insurance medical payments may cover ACL tears from car accidents.

ACL Surgery Cost by City

City	ACL Surgery Cost
New York, NY	$30,000–$50,000
Los Angeles, CA	$25,000–$45,000
Chicago, IL	$20,000–$40,000
Houston, TX	$18,000–$35,000
Phoenix, AZ	$15,000–$30,000
Atlanta, GA	$18,000–$35,000
Denver, CO	$20,000–$38,000
Miami, FL	$22,000–$40,000

Prices are estimates for surgeon + facility + anesthesia. Actual costs vary by provider.

How to Reduce Your ACL Surgery Cost

Choose an outpatient surgery center instead of a hospital when possible
Stay in-network — out-of-network surgery can cost 2-3x more out of pocket
Ask for an all-inclusive quote — some surgeons offer bundled pricing
Time your surgery — if you're close to meeting your annual deductible, it may be cheaper to schedule after you've met it
Negotiate — if uninsured, ask for a cash-pay discount (many facilities offer 30-50% off)
Consider financing — CareCredit and other medical financing offer 0% interest for 12-24 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover ACL surgery?

Yes, nearly all insurance plans cover ACL reconstruction when medically necessary (confirmed by MRI and physical exam showing instability).

How much does ACL surgery cost with insurance?

With insurance, most patients pay $2,000-$6,000 out of pocket, depending on their deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

Is outpatient ACL surgery cheaper?

Yes. Outpatient surgery centers typically charge 30-50% less in facility fees than hospitals. Most ACL reconstructions can be done outpatient.

Does ACL surgery cost vary by graft type?

Slightly. Autograft (your own tissue) and allograft (donor tissue) have similar overall costs. Allograft tissue itself costs $1,000-$3,000 but eliminates donor site harvesting.

How much does physical therapy cost after ACL surgery?

Physical therapy for ACL recovery typically costs $100-$200 per session. Over 6-9 months (2-3 sessions/week initially, tapering to 1/week), total PT costs $3,000-$8,000. Most insurance covers PT with a copay.

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