Penang Medical Savings Report 2026
A dated, source-cited index of medical procedure costs - Penang vs the US, UK, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. Every figure carries a source and a confidence flag.
Estimates only. Not medical or financial advice. Actual cost depends on case complexity, surgeon, implant or ward class, and exchange rate. Request a written quote from the hospital International Patient Centre before booking.
How much can you save on medical procedures in Penang?
Across 29 procedures, Penang costs are typically 50-80% lower than US private prices and 55-75% lower than Singapore. The largest saving in this edition is Colonoscopy at about 93% vs the US. Every figure below is sourced and flagged - the Penang prices are representative estimates, not hospital quotes, so request a written quote before booking.
How to read every figure
All figures are in USD, converted from local currency at USD per RM 4.6 (June 2026), held fixed for this edition. Percentage savings compare the Penang midpoint against each market midpoint. Indonesia (Jakarta private) is [TBD - verify] for every row this edition - see the methodology note below.
The index - 29 procedures
Penang vs the US, UK, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. Percentage columns are the saving on the Penang midpoint vs that market.
Cardiac
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coronary Angioplasty (PCI with Stent) | USD 5,450 Estimated | USD 13,300 Estimated | USD 25,000-50,000 Estimated | USD 10,080 Estimated | ~USD 30,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 85% | 59% |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) | USD 12,000 Estimated | USD 29,600 Estimated | USD 70,000-200,000 Estimated | USD 25,200 Estimated | ~USD 108,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 91% | 59% |
Orthopaedic
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement (Total) | USD 7,600 Estimated | USD 18,500 Estimated | USD 30,000-70,000 Estimated | USD 12,600 Estimated | ~USD 40,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 85% | 59% |
| Hip Replacement (Total) | USD 8,250 Estimated | USD 20,700 Estimated | USD 32,000-60,000 Estimated | USD 15,120 Estimated | ~USD 36,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 82% | 60% |
| Spinal Disc Surgery (Discectomy) | USD 4,350 Estimated | USD 11,100 Estimated | USD 15,000-35,000 Estimated | USD 10,080 Estimated | ~USD 20,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 83% | 61% |
| ACL Reconstruction | USD 4,800 Estimated | USD 13,300 Estimated | USD 20,000-50,000 Estimated | USD 8,820 Estimated | ~USD 28,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 86% | 64% |
| Shoulder Arthroscopy | USD 3,250 Estimated | USD 8,900 Estimated | USD 10,000-30,000 Estimated | USD 6,300 Estimated | ~USD 16,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 84% | 63% |
Fertility & IVF
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) - Single Cycle | USD 2,600 Estimated | USD 8,900 Estimated | USD 12,000-20,000 Estimated | USD 6,300 Estimated | ~USD 12,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 84% | 71% |
| ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) | USD 3,250 Estimated | USD 11,100 Estimated | USD 13,000-22,000 Estimated | USD 6,930 Estimated | ~USD 14,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 81% | 71% |
Ophthalmology
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK Eye Surgery (Both Eyes) | USD 760 Estimated | USD 2,070 Estimated | USD 2,200-4,500 Estimated | USD 2,520 Estimated | ~USD 2,680 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 77% | 63% |
| Cataract Surgery (per eye) | USD 870 Estimated | USD 2,220 Estimated | USD 3,500-6,000 Estimated | USD 2,520 Estimated | ~USD 3,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 82% | 61% |
| Glaucoma Surgery (Trabeculectomy) | USD 1,300 Estimated | USD 3,700 Estimated | USD 5,000-12,000 Estimated | USD 3,780 Estimated | ~USD 6,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 85% | 65% |
Dental
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Implant (Single) | USD 750 Estimated | USD 2,200 Estimated | USD 3,000-6,000 Estimated | USD 2,500 Estimated | ~USD 3,600 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 83% | 66% |
| Porcelain Veneers (per tooth) | USD 260 Estimated | USD 890 Estimated | USD 900-2,500 Estimated | USD 630 Estimated | ~USD 1,360 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 85% | 71% |
| Invisalign / Clear Aligners | USD 1,750 Estimated | USD 3,700 Estimated | USD 3,000-8,000 Estimated | USD 3,150 Estimated | ~USD 4,400 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 68% | 53% |
| Full Mouth Rehabilitation | USD 4,300 Estimated | USD 11,000 Estimated | USD 15,000-45,000 Estimated | USD 12,600 Estimated | ~USD 24,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 86% | 61% |
Cosmetic
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) | USD 3,250 Estimated | USD 5,900 Estimated | USD 5,000-12,000 Estimated | USD 5,700 Estimated | ~USD 6,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 62% | 45% |
| Breast Augmentation | USD 3,900 Estimated | USD 8,900 Estimated | USD 5,000-10,000 Estimated | USD 5,700 Estimated | ~USD 6,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 48% | 56% |
| Liposuction | USD 1,750 Estimated | USD 3,700 Estimated | USD 3,000-8,000 Estimated | USD 2,520 Estimated | ~USD 4,400 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 68% | 53% |
| Facelift (Rhytidectomy) | USD 4,800 Estimated | USD 11,100 Estimated | USD 7,000-15,000 Estimated | USD 7,560 Estimated | ~USD 8,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 56% | 57% |
| Hair Transplant (FUE, per graft) | USD 1.10 Estimated | USD 5.90 Estimated | USD 4-8 Estimated | USD 3.80 Estimated | ~USD 5 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 83% | 80% |
| Laser Skin Resurfacing (Full Face) | USD 545 Estimated | USD 2,220 Estimated | USD 2,000-5,000 Estimated | USD 1,890 Estimated | ~USD 2,800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 84% | 75% |
| Chemical Peel (Medium Depth) | USD 110 Estimated | USD 590 Estimated | USD 500-1,500 Estimated | USD 378 Estimated | ~USD 800 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 89% | 81% |
| Mole/Lesion Removal | USD 65 Estimated | USD 220 Estimated | USD 200-500 Estimated | USD 189 Estimated | ~USD 280 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 81% | 70% |
General & Screening
| Procedure | Penang | Singapore | US | UK | Australia | Indonesia | vs US | vs SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Health Screening | USD 325 Estimated | USD 1,110 Estimated | USD 1,000-5,000 Estimated | USD 630 Estimated | ~USD 2,400 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 89% | 71% |
| Colonoscopy | USD 260 Estimated | USD 1,110 Estimated | USD 2,500-5,000 Estimated | USD 1,260 Estimated | ~USD 3,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 93% | 77% |
| Gastric Sleeve (Laparoscopic) | USD 5,450 Estimated | USD 13,300 Estimated | USD 15,000-25,000 Estimated | USD 10,080 Estimated | ~USD 16,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 73% | 59% |
| Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y) | USD 7,600 Estimated | USD 18,500 Estimated | USD 20,000-35,000 Estimated | USD 12,600 Estimated | ~USD 22,000 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 72% | 59% |
| Intragastric Balloon | USD 1,750 Estimated | USD 4,440 Estimated | USD 6,000-10,000 Estimated | USD 3,780 Estimated | ~USD 6,400 Estimated | [TBD - verify] [TBD - verify] | 78% | 61% |
Australia is shown as an estimate (about 80% of the US figure) and is never presented as a verified Australian hospital price. Indonesia (Jakarta private) is [TBD - verify] for every row this edition - no reliable per-procedure Jakarta private price was confirmed, so it is left blank rather than invented.
Why Penang specifically
Penang is the single biggest medical-tourism city in the region by Indonesian inflow. Each figure below is sourced.
Penang took an estimated 40.5% of Malaysia national medical-tourism revenue in 2024 (about RM866-898 million; sources vary).
Source: Malay MailPenang medical-tourism revenue crossed about RM1.1 billion in 2025 (RM898m in 2024 to RM1.137b in 2025, roughly +26.6% YoY).
Source: New Straits TimesMalaysia received about 1.6 million healthcare travellers in 2024, generating about RM2.72 billion (+21% YoY).
Source: MHTC / MIDAIndonesia is the largest source market (about 60-65% of Malaysia medical tourists). Penang reportedly draws about 1 million Indonesian patients a year; Island Hospital is reported at about 80% Indonesian patients.
Source: MIDA / Asia News NetworkPatients Beyond Borders reports Malaysia delivers about 65-80% savings versus Western private prices - an independent third-party number our per-procedure index corroborates.
Source: Patients Beyond BordersMHTC has designated 2026 as Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism - a timely peg for this edition.
Source: MHTCMethodology
What a Penang price includes
- +Surgeon and specialist consultation fees
- +Anaesthesia (where applicable)
- +Operating theatre / procedure room charges
- +Standard ward stay for the listed duration
What it does not include
- -International flights to Penang
- -Recovery accommodation (RM 150-520 per night)
- -Long-term post-operative medications
- -Physiotherapy sessions billed separately
- -Travel and medical-complication insurance
How figures were graded
- •Penang, Singapore, UK and US ranges are derived from the VisitPenang procedure dataset (representative 2025 ranges) - they are flagged Estimated, not Verified, because they are not individual hospital quotes.
- •Verified is reserved for a figure traceable to a named hospital published or quoted price. No row in this edition is marked Verified.
- •Australia is derived as about 80% of the US figure and labelled Estimated - it is never shown as a verified Australian hospital price.
- •Indonesia (Jakarta private) is [TBD - verify] for every row - no reliable per-procedure Jakarta price set was confirmed for this edition.
- •USD is converted from local currency at USD per RM 4.6 (June 2026), held fixed for the whole edition so year-on-year comparison is not muddied by FX drift.
- •No outcome or success-rate claims are made anywhere in this index - those are deferred to the hospital. JCI accreditation and named-fellowship consultants are stated as fact with a source, never as a comparative quality claim.
Hospitals these ranges draw on
Named Penang hospitals with their accreditation. Accreditation is stated as fact - not a comparative quality claim.
Sources & references
- dentistpenang.my - implant cost guidehttps://dentistpenang.my/blog/dental-implant-cost-malaysia-vs-thailand/
- Penang Adventist Hospital - Dental serviceshttps://pah.com.my/clinical-services/dental/
- MyMediTravel - Penang procedureshttps://www.mymeditravel.com/dental-implant-procedures-in-penang-malaysia
- VisitPenang procedure dataset (representative 2025 ranges)https://www.visitpenang.com/medical/procedures
- Kristal Clinic - international dental implant cost comparisonhttps://kristalclinic.com/dental-implants/2025-dental-implant-costs-price-comparison-international-guide/
- Patients Beyond Borders - Malaysia 65-80% savings (secondary)https://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/media
- Canstar (AU) - knee replacement costhttps://www.canstar.com.au/health-insurance/knee-replacement-cost/
- Vaidam - heart bypass (CABG) Malaysia/Penanghttps://www.vaidam.com/search/heart-bypass-surgery-cabg/malaysia/penang
- Lyfboat - CABG hospitals and costs in Malaysiahttps://www.lyfboat.com/hospitals/coronary-bypass-surgery-cabg-hospitals-and-costs-in-malaysia/
- FlyMedi - knee replacement cost around the worldhttps://www.flymedi.com/blog/knee-replacement-cost-around-the-world
- Thomson Medical (SG) - knee replacement costhttps://www.thomsonmedical.com/blog/knee-replacement-surgery-cost-singapore
- NVISION - LASIK costhttps://www.nvisioncenters.com/lasik-cost/
- Vision Center - LASIK costhttps://www.visioncenter.org/lasik/cost/
- fertile.com - cost of IVF treatmenthttps://fertile.com/cost-ivf-treatment/
- IVF-Worldwide - IVF costs by countryhttps://ivf-worldwide.com/education/introduction/ivf-costs-worldwide/the-costs-of-ivf-in-different-countries.html
Cite this report
Free to cite and republish with attribution (CC BY 4.0). The report is editorial and neutral - no booking, lead capture, or affiliate links. Suggested citation:
Penang Medical Savings Report 2026, VisitPenang.com. https://www.visitpenang.com/medical/savings-reportDownload the full dataset (CSV)Estimates only. Not medical or financial advice. Actual cost depends on case complexity, surgeon, implant or ward class, and exchange rate. Request a written quote from the hospital International Patient Centre before booking.
Last updated 2026-06-12. This is the 2026 edition - figures refresh annually.
Plan Your Penang Medical Trip
Medical Cost Calculator
Estimate your total trip cost including flights and accommodation for a specific procedure.
Full Procedures Guide
Detailed cost tables and recovery notes for every procedure in this index.
Hospital Directory
Compare named Penang hospitals by specialty, accreditation, and languages spoken.
Penang vs Singapore
A focused head-to-head on the most common comparison for Asia-Pacific patients.
Recovery Accommodation
Medical-friendly hotels and serviced apartments near each hospital.
Medical Tourism Hub
The full Penang medical-travel guide - hospitals, doctors, visas and journeys.
Penang Medical Savings Report FAQs
What is the Penang Medical Savings Report 2026?
It is a dated, source-cited index of 29 medical procedures priced at named Penang hospitals against five comparison markets - the US, UK, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. Every price cell carries a source and a confidence flag (Verified, Estimated, or [TBD - verify]). Figures were last re-graded in June 2026, with USD per RM held at 4.6 for the whole edition so year-on-year comparisons are not distorted by currency drift.
Are these verified hospital prices?
No - and we are explicit about that. The Penang ranges are representative ranges, not individual hospital quotes, so they are flagged Estimated, not Verified. Verified is reserved for figures traceable to a named hospital published or quoted price. Always request a written quote from the hospital International Patient Centre before booking. This index is for planning and comparison, not a quote.
Why are the Australia and Indonesia columns flagged?
Australia is shown as an estimate (about 80% of the US figure) because we could not source a verified per-procedure Australian hospital price for every row - so it is never presented as a verified Australian market price. Indonesia (Jakarta private) is marked [TBD - verify] for every procedure: no reliable per-procedure Jakarta private price set was confirmed for this edition. We deliberately leave it blank rather than invent it. The Indonesia story for this edition is the inflow - about 1 million Indonesian patients a year choose Penang - not a head-to-head price.
How are the percentage savings calculated?
Each saving is the Penang midpoint USD value compared against the comparison-market midpoint USD value, expressed as a percentage. Where a market figure is [TBD - verify] (all of Indonesia), no saving is shown for that market. Midpoints are derived from the published low-high ranges - they are not cherry-picked.
What is included in a Penang price?
The Penang figures reflect typical all-in hospital charges: surgeon and specialist fees, anaesthesia where applicable, operating theatre charges, and a standard ward stay for the listed duration. They exclude flights, recovery accommodation, long-term medications, physiotherapy, and travel insurance. Comparison-market figures are typical private market rates and similarly exclude travel costs.
Can I download and cite this data?
Yes. The full dataset is available as a free CSV download, released under CC BY 4.0 - cite it as "Penang Medical Savings Report 2026, VisitPenang.com". Every figure in the CSV carries its confidence flag and source so you can verify before you publish. The report is editorial and neutral - it contains no booking, lead capture, or affiliate links.