How child dependants are priced in South Africa
Medical schemes registered under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 charge a contribution per beneficiary, split into a main-member rate, an adult-dependant rate and a lower child-dependant rate. A family's monthly contribution is the sum of those rates, which is why two households on the same option can pay very different amounts.
Two rules change the arithmetic. First, most options cap the number of children billed — commonly the first three — so a fourth or fifth child adds no contribution. Second, each option sets an age at which a child moves off the child rate; the caps published for 2026 in our data set range up to 27. Every beneficiary on an option, children included, gets that option's benefits and the Prescribed Minimum Benefits required by law.
What the 2026 contribution data shows
Computed from published brochure contributions. These are factual comparisons of price only — not rankings, and not a recommendation of any option.
- Medshield: MediCurveR483/child
- Medshield: MediPhilaR558/child
- Discovery Health: KeyCare CoreR645/child
- Fedhealth: flexiFED 1Elect HospitalR747/child
- Bonitas: BonEssential SelectR774/child
- Fedhealth: flexiFEDSavvy HospitalR4 008/month
- Fedhealth: flexiFEDSavvy SavingsR4 453/month
- Medshield: MediCurveR4 608/month
- Fedhealth: myFEDR4 996/month
- Bonitas: BonCoreR5 100/month
Main member + one adult dependant + two child dependants, using each option's published 2026 rates. Income-banded options are shown at the band captured in our data set.
Child rates, billing caps and age caps by option
94 options with a published child-dependant rate for 2026, lowest child rate first. “Not stated” means the brochure does not publish that figure — we do not estimate it.
Before the child arrives
55 of the 95 options in our data set publish maternity detail in their 2026 summary — antenatal consultations, ultrasound scans and related benefits. If you are planning a family, that detail sits on the maternity page rather than being repeated here.
What we could not populate from the plan data
The brochure data behind this page has no structured fields for paediatric consultations, childhood immunisation benefits or casualty-visit cover, so those are not compared here. 1 option in the data set carry no child dependant rate (Medihelp: MedMove! Student) and are excluded from the table rather than shown as R0. We are sourcing the 2026 benefit schedules to add child-specific benefit fields.
Cover for children: common questions
How are children priced on South African medical aid?
Medical schemes bill per beneficiary, using a separate child-dependant rate that is lower than the adult-dependant rate. Adding a child adds that child rate to the family's monthly contribution, so the cost of covering children depends on the option's child rate rather than on a single family price.
Do I pay for every child I register?
Not always. Many options cap the number of children billed: once you have registered that many child dependants, further children are covered at no extra contribution. The cap is published per option and is shown in the table on this page where the brochure states it.
Until what age does a child stay on the child rate?
Each option publishes its own child age cap, and some also allow children to remain as dependants beyond that age subject to the scheme's rules, usually with the adult rate applying. Where the 2026 brochure states an age cap, it is shown in the table.
Is child cover on medical aid different from adult cover?
The benefits on an option apply to every beneficiary on it, children included, including the Prescribed Minimum Benefits required by the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998. Some schemes add child-focused extras such as paediatric or preventive-care benefits; those are set out in each scheme's benefit schedule rather than in the summary data behind this page.
Is this page advice on which plan to pick for my children?
No. It is a factual comparison of published 2026 contributions and dependant rules. It is not advice and not a recommendation. Confirm rates and rules with the scheme, or speak to an accredited adviser, before joining or switching.
Work out your own family total
All contributions and dependant rules on this page are taken from official 2026 scheme brochures and linked to their source document. This is general information, not financial advice, and not a recommendation of any scheme or option. Rates and rules change — always confirm current contributions and dependant rules directly with the scheme before joining or switching.