Field guide · 02 May 2026

Scheme invoice and payroll deduction do not match: where to look

A record-by-record approach to investigating a mismatch between a medical scheme invoice, employer subsidy and payroll deduction.

Payroll ledger and calculator used to reconcile deductions

Name the four figures

Record the scheme’s gross contribution, the employer subsidy, the expected employee share and the actual payroll deduction. A mismatch is difficult to discuss while these amounts are blended into a single “medical aid” figure.

Check period and effective date

Scheme billing and payroll cut-offs may fall on different days. A dependant addition received after payroll closes can appear on the invoice before the matching deduction, or cause a catch-up entry in the following period.

Test the subsidy rule

Some employers use a fixed allowance; others pay a percentage subject to a cap. Apply the written rule to the gross contribution and compare the result to payroll’s subsidy line.

Record exceptions without editing source data

Keep a separate exception schedule with member reference, period, expected amount, actual amount and reason awaiting confirmation. This preserves the original invoice and payroll export for later verification.


Need a figure checked against your application? Ask for an independent contribution review.