Calculators & guides
Medical aid contribution calculator guide
By Naledi Mokoena · 6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
A medical aid contribution is what you pay each month, set by your plan, the number of dependants, and on some schemes your income band. A contribution calculator estimates this by adding the main member rate, each dependant's rate, and then subtracting the SARS medical tax credit you can claim back.
This guide shows how the numbers fit together so you can estimate your real cost before you apply.
Remember that the sticker contribution is not your final cost. The medical tax credit lowers it, and your claiming pattern decides whether the plan is worth it.
What drives your contribution
Three things set the monthly price:
- The plan you choose. Richer benefits cost more.
- The number and type of dependants. Each adult and child adds a rate.
- On income-rated schemes (common in restricted and government schemes), your salary band.
Most open schemes price by plan and dependants only, not income.
How to estimate it yourself
Use this simple formula:
Monthly contribution
= main member rate
+ (adult dependant rate x number of adults)
+ (child dependant rate x number of children, often capped at 3)
Real monthly cost
= monthly contribution
- monthly SARS [medical tax credit](/guides/medical-aid-and-tax/)
Get the rates from the scheme's current contribution table, then plug them in. Many schemes cap how many children you pay for, so a fourth child may be free.
Add the medical tax credit
SARS gives a medical scheme fees tax credit: a fixed monthly amount for you as the main member, the same for the first dependant, and a smaller fixed amount for each further dependant. This credit reduces the tax you owe, so it effectively lowers your net contribution. Factor it in or you will overestimate your true monthly cost. See our medical tax credit guide for the current values and how to claim.
Worked example
A family of a main member, one spouse and two children might see:
Main member R[MAIN RATE]
Spouse R[ADULT RATE]
Child 1 R[CHILD RATE]
Child 2 R[CHILD RATE]
-----------------------------------
Total contribution R[TOTAL]
Less tax credits R[CREDIT TOTAL]
-----------------------------------
Net monthly cost R[NET]
Use the current published rates for your chosen plan. We do not quote live prices because schemes update them each year.
Budget for the cost of claiming
The contribution is only part of your spend. Also budget for co-payments, day-to-day claims once savings run out, and any rate shortfalls if your plan pays at 100%. A cheap contribution with big co-payments can cost more overall than a slightly higher contribution that pays at a better rate. Estimate a realistic year, not just the monthly debit.
Frequently asked questions
How is my medical aid contribution calculated?
It is the main member rate plus a rate for each dependant, set by your chosen plan. On some restricted and government schemes it is also banded by income. Subtract the SARS medical tax credit to get your real monthly cost.
Does my income affect my medical aid contribution?
On most open schemes, no - you pay by plan and dependants. On many restricted and government schemes, contributions are income-rated, so higher earners pay more for the same plan. Check whether your scheme is income-rated.
Do children cost the same as adults?
No. Child dependant rates are lower than adult rates, and many schemes cap the number of children you pay for, often at three. A fourth or later child may be added at no extra contribution. Check the scheme's child cap.
How does the tax credit change what I pay?
The SARS medical scheme fees tax credit is a fixed monthly amount per member that reduces your tax. It effectively lowers your net contribution. Always subtract it to see your true cost rather than the sticker contribution.
Why do contribution calculators give different numbers?
Because they use different plans, dependant counts and assumptions about the tax credit. Make sure any calculator uses the current year's rates for your exact plan and dependants, then check the result against the scheme's official table.
Is the contribution the only cost?
No. Budget also for co-payments, day-to-day claims once savings run out, and rate shortfalls on lower-rate plans. A low contribution with heavy co-payments can cost more over a year than a higher, better-covered plan.
