What if I get trigger finger?
What if I get trigger finger in Singapore: $3,225 – $7,824 in a private ward, based on MOH Bill Size Benchmarks. Average hospital stay: 1 days.
Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) causing a finger to lock or catch when bent. Common in adults over 40, especially women, and those with diabetes or repetitive grip work.
Hospital bill by ward class
- Private (Single room): $3,225 – $7,824
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, January–December 2023. Costs are after government subsidies but before MediShield Life or private insurance.
Treatment options
- Trigger finger release (single):
- Trigger finger release (multiple fingers):
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What if I get trigger finger?
6:45 AM
Your finger clicks when you bend it. Then one morning it locks.
You have to pry it open with your other hand.
You have to pry it open with your other hand.
Your GP says it is stenosing tenosynovitis. A steroid injection might help. If not, surgery.
2-3
percent of the general population affected — higher with diabetes
A 15-minute procedure under local anaesthetic. A small cut at the base of the finger. The tendon sheath is released.
Trigger finger release is one of the most common hand surgeries in Singapore. It is usually done as day surgery. Most people return to light activities within a week.
Women are up to 6 times more likely to develop trigger finger than men
You flex your finger the next day. No click. No lock.
Then the bill arrives.
Then the bill arrives.
Treatment breakdown
It depends on the treatment
What they do determines the bill. Tap to see costs by ward class.
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
Trigger finger release (single)
$3,225 – $6,032
Private
Private$3,225 – $6,032
Trigger finger release (multiple fingers)
$4,984 – $7,824
Private
Private$4,984 – $7,824
Your hospital bill
$0
Private · worst case · after subsidies, before insurance
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks, Jan–Dec 2023
But what does this actually mean for your wallet?
The bottom line
For this scenario, you need at least
$7,824
in cash. That's after government subsidies but before any insurance kicks in.
~4 months
of HDB mortgage
~25%
of avg Medisave
~1.6 months
of median salary
Source: MOH Bill Size Benchmarks · Data period: Jan–Dec 2023 · Compiled by Keith Teo
Make it personal
What does this mean for you?
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$
Insurance impact
What insurance actually does
Ward C bill. The bar shows how much you still pay.
$3,225 – $7,824
No insurance. You pay the full bill out of pocket or Medisave.
Beyond the hospital bill
These costs are just the hospital stay
After discharge, expect ongoing costs that for many patients exceed the initial bill.
PhysiotherapyMobility aidsPain medicationOccupational therapyFollow-up X-rays
And these costs keep rising. Healthcare costs are up 12% since 2020, outpacing general inflation.
If the worst happens
When someone dies in Singapore,
banks freeze every account.
Your family can't withdraw a single dollar until the legal process is complete. Most Singaporeans aren't prepared.
56%
of Singaporean adults don't have a will
40%
of under-65s have no CPF nomination
With a will
2-6 months to settle. Funeral, lawyer, and court fees combined.
~S$6,400
No will
6-12+ months to settle. Legal fees alone are S$10K-$20K. Contested estates reach S$93,000+.
S$10K–$93K+
While your family waits, mortgage payments, insurance premiums, and utility bills keep coming out of their own pockets.
What to do now
5 things to check today
1
Check your fall risk
Most fractures in Singapore happen from falls. Remove tripping hazards at home, especially for elderly family members.
2
Budget for physiotherapy
Recovery from bone and joint surgery typically requires 2-4 months of regular physio sessions at $50-$150 each.
3
Check what your insurance actually covers
Log into CPF, go to My Healthcare, check MediShield Life or ISP coverage. Look for your ward class limit and claim caps.
4
Know your Medisave withdrawal limits
Your Medisave balance doesn't mean that amount is available for one bill. There are per-day and per-procedure caps.
5
Write a will and make a CPF nomination
A simple will starts from S$99. CPF nomination is free at cpf.gov.sg. Without these, your family faces months of legal process and S$10K+ in fees.