2026 Pricing Data
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$20,000
Typical range: $10,000 – $30,000
Recovery
42–180 days
Risk Level
Moderate
Duration
60–120 min
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026
Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without
With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$5,000–$6,240
- PPO (typical)$5,000
- HDHP (high-deductible)$6,240
- Medicare (outpatient)$1,406
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$10,000–$30,000
National average: $20,000
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.
Understanding the Investment
Key Takeaways
- National average: $20,000 (range: $10,000–$30,000)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — ACL reconstruction is covered by most insurance plans as medically necessary...
- Recovery: 42–180 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
ACL reconstruction surgery replaces a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, most commonly due to sports injuries. This procedure is frequently performed on individuals aged 10 to 29. The surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and facility fees are significant factors influencing the overall cost of ACL reconstruction. Graft type will also influence the final price you pay.
The facility fee, whether at a hospital or surgical center, accounts for a sizable portion of the total expense. The cost of implants and surgical supplies also contributes significantly. Choosing an allograft (donor tissue) versus an autograft (tissue from your own body) can affect the price.
Consider having your ACL reconstruction performed at an outpatient surgery center instead of a hospital to potentially lower costs. Outpatient procedures are often less expensive than inpatient ones. For older patients with extensive knee damage, knee replacement may be recommended instead of ACL reconstruction. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a acl surgery (acl reconstruction) procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
30% of total · $4,200-$7,800
$4,200-$7,800
Hospital or surgical center facility charge
Surgeon Fee
30% of total · $4,200-$7,800
$4,200-$7,800
Surgeon professional fee
Implants & Supplies
15% of total · $2,100-$3,900
$2,100-$3,900
Implants, hardware, surgical supplies
Post-Op Care
15% of total · $2,100-$3,900
$2,100-$3,900
Hospital stay, follow-up visits, imaging
Anesthesia
10% of total · $1,400-$2,600
$1,400-$2,600
Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee
Go Deeper
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Guides
Regional Variance
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost by State
Geographic location plays a significant role — cost-of-living adjustments, regional demand for top specialists, and facility competition all affect pricing.
Most Affordable
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi $17,700-11.5%
- West Virginia $17,960-10.2%
- Alabama $18,100-9.5%
- Arkansas $18,240-8.8%
- Missouri $18,360-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $23,280+16.4%
- California $22,660+13.3%
- New York $22,560+12.8%
- Massachusetts $22,300+11.5%
- District of Columbia $22,100+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost in All 50 States
Already seen the cheapest and most expensive? Expand the full sortable table to compare every state.
Show all 50 states (sortable) Hide all 50 states
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18,100 | -9.5% | |
|
|||
| Alaska | $21,740 | +8.7% | |
|
|||
| Arizona | $20,160 | +0.8% | |
|
|||
| Arkansas | $18,240 | -8.8% | |
|
|||
| California | $22,660 | +13.3% | |
|
|||
| Colorado | $21,040 | +5.2% | |
|
|||
| Connecticut | $21,960 | +9.8% | |
|
|||
| Delaware | $20,500 | +2.5% | |
|
|||
| District of Columbia | $22,100 | +10.5% | |
| Florida | $20,060 | +0.3% | |
|
|||
| Georgia | $19,600 | -2.0% | |
| Hawaii | $23,280 | +16.4% | |
|
|||
| Idaho | $19,440 | -2.8% | |
|
|||
| Illinois | $20,240 | +1.2% | |
|
|||
| Indiana | $19,160 | -4.2% | |
|
|||
| Iowa | $19,100 | -4.5% | |
|
|||
| Kansas | $18,960 | -5.2% | |
| Kentucky | $18,460 | -7.7% | |
|
|||
| Louisiana | $18,640 | -6.8% | |
|
|||
| Maine | $20,760 | +3.8% | |
|
|||
| Maryland | $21,360 | +6.8% | |
|
|||
| Massachusetts | $22,300 | +11.5% | |
|
|||
| Michigan | $19,900 | -0.5% | |
|
|||
| Minnesota | $20,700 | +3.5% | |
|
|||
| Mississippi | $17,700 | -11.5% | |
|
|||
| Missouri | $18,360 | -8.2% | |
| Montana | $19,500 | -2.5% | |
| Nebraska | $19,300 | -3.5% | |
|
|||
| Nevada | $20,100 | +0.5% | |
|
|||
| New Hampshire | $21,100 | +5.5% | |
| New Jersey | $21,900 | +9.5% | |
|
|||
| New Mexico | $18,760 | -6.2% | |
|
|||
| New York | $22,560 | +12.8% | |
|
|||
| North Carolina | $19,760 | -1.2% | |
|
|||
| North Dakota | $19,040 | -4.8% | |
|
|||
| Ohio | $19,660 | -1.7% | |
|
|||
| Oklahoma | $18,560 | -7.2% | |
|
|||
| Oregon | $21,500 | +7.5% | |
|
|||
| Pennsylvania | $20,360 | +1.8% | |
| Rhode Island | $20,960 | +4.8% | |
|
|||
| South Carolina | $18,700 | -6.5% | |
|
|||
| South Dakota | $19,360 | -3.2% | |
|
|||
| Tennessee | $18,840 | -5.8% | |
|
|||
| Texas | $19,240 | -3.8% | |
|
|||
| Utah | $19,840 | -0.8% | |
|
|||
| Vermont | $20,900 | +4.5% | |
|
|||
| Virginia | $20,640 | +3.2% | |
| Washington | $21,440 | +7.2% | |
|
|||
| West Virginia | $17,960 | -10.2% | |
|
|||
| Wisconsin | $19,960 | -0.2% | |
| Wyoming | $18,900 | -5.5% | |
Grounded Data
Real Hospital Charges (CMS Medicare Data)
Across 2,148 hospitals and surgery centers in the CMS Medicare data for acl surgery (acl reconstruction), average billed charges range from $3,376 to $126,818, with a national median of $19,130. The table below lists the highest-volume facilities by reported case count.
| Hospital | Location | Avg Billed Charge | Avg Medicare Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyu Langone Hospitals | New York, NY | $32,487 | $2,803 |
| Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital | Tyler, TX | $21,194 | $2,064 |
| Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester | Rochester, MN | $16,947 | $2,189 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA | $25,370 | $2,619 |
| Roper Hospital | Charleston, SC | $17,115 | $2,175 |
| Stanford Health Care | Stanford, CA | $61,407 | $3,448 |
| Hospital For Special Surgery | New York, NY | $28,187 | $2,686 |
| Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital Llp | Sioux Falls, SD | $21,248 | $2,319 |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital | Houston, TX | $35,136 | $2,273 |
| Lehigh Valley Hospital | Allentown, PA | $19,896 | $2,331 |
| Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, Inc | Oklahoma City, OK | $10,758 | $2,081 |
| Sanford | Fargo, ND | $11,091 | $2,325 |
| Black Hills Surgical Hospital Llp | Rapid City, SD | $9,424 | $2,328 |
| Baystate Medical Center | Springfield, MA | $7,360 | $2,724 |
| Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | $23,006 | $2,058 |
| Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | Akron, OH | $14,133 | $2,072 |
| Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center | Sioux Falls, SD | $18,172 | $2,326 |
| South Shore Hospital | South Weymouth, MA | $4,950 | $2,717 |
| Mcbride Orthopedic Hospital | Oklahoma City, OK | $8,176 | $2,096 |
| Clovis Community Medical Center | Clovis, CA | $17,118 | $2,686 |
Billed charges are a hospital's list price and are typically far higher than what is actually paid. The Avg Medicare Payment column shows what Medicare actually reimbursed for the same procedure at that facility.
Source: CMS Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2023).
What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Graft type — patellar tendon, hamstring, quadriceps tendon, or allograft (donor) each have different costs
Allograft vs. autograft — donor tissue grafts cost $2,000-$4,000 more than using your own tissue
Combined meniscus repair — repairing a torn meniscus during ACL reconstruction adds OR time and cost
Timeline
The Road to Results
Recovery is an investment of time. Understanding the phases helps you plan downtime and set expectations.
Before your ACL reconstruction, you'll have consultations with your surgeon and anesthesiologist, plus some physical tests to assess your knee. Be sure to tell your doctors about all medications and supplements you take, as you may need to stop some beforehand. On the day of surgery, which usually takes 1-2 hours, you'll receive either general or regional anesthesia so you won't feel anything. The surgeon will reconstruct your torn ACL using a tendon graft.
Immediately after surgery, expect to feel groggy from the anesthesia. You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours. Pain and swelling are normal, so follow your doctor's instructions for pain management and icing. Full recovery takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on your activity level. You'll be using crutches initially, followed by physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion. Remember to schedule your follow-up appointments and plan for time off work or school during the initial recovery phase.
01
Initial Recovery
42 days
Light activity, follow-up appointment. Most visible changes in this window.
02
Full Recovery
180 days
Return to normal activities, including most exercise and work routines.
03
Procedure Itself
60–120 min
Typical time under anesthesia or active treatment for a standard case.
Coverage & Financing
Paying for ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction)
Usually Covered by InsuranceACL reconstruction is covered by most insurance plans as medically necessary for knee instability.
Financing Options
- Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance acl surgery (acl reconstruction)
- Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
- Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $20,000 through your HSA/FSA saves you 20-35% versus after-tax dollars
- Cash discounts — surgeons prefer upfront payment and often reduce the price by 10-20% for cash-pay patients
- Charitable care programs — some nonprofit surgical organizations offer reduced-cost procedures for qualifying patients
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does acl surgery (acl reconstruction) cost in 2026?
You can expect to pay around $20,000 for acl surgery (acl reconstruction) in 2026. Most patients pay between $10,000 and $30,000 — the spread reflects differences in local pricing, surgeon credentials, and whether you choose a hospital or outpatient surgery center.
Does insurance cover acl surgery (acl reconstruction)?
Coverage status: Usually Covered. ACL reconstruction is covered by most insurance plans as medically necessary for knee instability. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and whether your provider is in-network.
What's the cheapest state for acl surgery (acl reconstruction)?
If price is your priority, look at Mississippi ($17,700), West Virginia ($17,960), Alabama ($18,100). Lower overhead costs for medical practices in these states translate to lower procedure pricing.
What affects acl surgery (acl reconstruction) cost?
Several factors determine your final acl surgery (acl reconstruction) price: graft type, allograft vs. autograft, combined meniscus repair, along with your surgeon's experience level and where you have the procedure done. See our state-by-state comparison above for geographic pricing differences.
How long is recovery after acl surgery (acl reconstruction)?
Recovery after acl surgery (acl reconstruction) typically takes 42 to 180 days. Light activities can usually resume after 42 days, with full recovery by 180 days. Your surgeon will provide a personalized timeline based on your case.
Where is acl surgery (acl reconstruction) most expensive?
The most expensive states for acl surgery (acl reconstruction) are Hawaii ($23,280), California ($22,660), New York ($22,560). Higher costs of living and demand for specialists drive prices up in these areas.